00:06In the world of fashion, there are artists who don't only have a design, but also have a story about
00:12culture, identity, and empowerment.
00:15That's why today we will join a fashion philanthropist who continues to give life a scene through wearable art.
00:22Let's all welcome Mrs. University of the Philippines, Ms. Jenny Mercado Ortega.
00:27Hi Diane, good morning.
00:28My name's Ais. Welcome back to Rise and Shine, Pilipinas.
00:33Good morning.
00:34So as a visual artist, singer, and beauty queen, paano nagsimula ang journey mo into fashion design?
00:41Actually, I started doing this because of Mr. John Guarnes.
00:48First, I asked him to make my own gown provided that it's hand-painted by me.
00:55And then the result was okay and very nice.
00:59Marami namang compliments from others.
01:01So he inspired me and he asked me to do my own collection for Manila International Fashion Week.
01:11So after that, all of the events and parties that I went to, puro mga hand-painted couture na yung
01:22gamit ko.
01:23Wow, very nice. So talagang creativity comes first before fashion.
01:27So paano mo nababalance naman lahat ng roles mo?
01:31I just make sure that I'm pretty organized and then yung timing ko, it's always intentional.
01:42So I always make time for myself and of course for the things that I love to do.
01:49And then, siyempre, ang priority ko ang family.
01:53I'll drop everything pagka kailangan ako ng mga kids ko.
01:58Do they sometimes come with you in your social events?
02:00Kasi yung social events na yan, with all those socialites, friends, halos araw-araw, meron kayong ganap.
02:08So, do they sometimes come with you too?
02:10Actually, no. Sometimes lang pagka mga milestone ito.
02:15Mga awards na mag-aaraw.
02:18Right, of course.
02:19Now, can you tell us more about your concept of wearable art?
02:23Ano ang nag-inspire sa'yo to shift from canvas painting to fabric?
02:28Since I have been doing fashion, naisip ko, and Mr. Jan Guarnes,
02:34na we do this wearable art.
02:39Kasi I have to be different from other, and I have to also voice out my art.
02:47So, ginamit ko rin yung platform na ito to voice my advocacy.
02:54So, yun naman ang importante sa akin.
02:56Because I think that's my purpose.
02:58To promote our Philippine culture.
03:01Kasi I got crowned as a noble queen of culture and arts.
03:06Actually, doon nag-start lahat.
03:08So, that inspired me to promote our culture.
03:12Wow. Okay.
03:13So, everything that I do.
03:15It's related to our culture.
03:17Yeah, Filipinas.
03:19Right.
03:19And the Filipino heritage.
03:22This reminds me of your art of Heart Evangelista.
03:25She's also painting dresses.
03:27And she's also part designer of a brand, a local brand, doing the same thing.
03:33Right?
03:33So, tell us more about your new collection, Diwang Filipina Couture.
03:38Ano ba yung inspiration behind this?
03:40I did this Diwang Filipina Couture for Sketchpad 3.
03:45So, I have like 10 outfits for my collection.
03:51Okay.
03:51And then, ang mga hand paint ko doon is, it's the promotion of our culture.
03:58Like our native dances and the Filipina, wearing Filipiniana.
04:05Okay.
04:05But, actually my collection is different from the usual Filipiniana dresses.
04:12You made butterfly sleeves.
04:14Okay.
04:14So, ang cater ko naman this time is for yung mga gusto ng out-of-the-box style.
04:22Like modern.
04:23Modern.
04:23Yeah.
04:24May artistic twist.
04:26Like a sweetheart cut.
04:28Oh, di ba?
04:28Not so conservative.
04:30Yes.
04:30Very modern if you like that.
04:31I just integrate my art to create my voice.
04:39Yung sa advocacy ko.
04:42So, ayan.
04:43This one, I'm wearing, it's a girl wearing a Malong costume.
04:50Okay.
04:51It's actually a native dance.
04:53Oo.
04:54And she's parang an art na nagsasayaw naman.
04:57Yeah.
04:58In that costume.
04:59Native costume.
05:00So, ano naman yung, what do you think is the uniqueness or kaibahan ng design mo compared
05:05to traditional Filipiniana?
05:08Iyan nga.
05:09My design is modern and with artistic.
05:13Sexier.
05:14Artistic twist.
05:15Okay.
05:16Yeah.
05:16It's for modern Filipiniana.
05:19Right.
05:19So, what do you think is the importance or why you have to highlight the culture and
05:27women dito sa ating bansa in your designs?
05:31I think it's...
05:32You mentioned earlier because you were crowned in what pageant?
05:36Noble queen of...
05:36Noble queen.
05:37So, that's where it all started.
05:39Culture and arts.
05:39Yes.
05:40Yes.
05:40It all started there.
05:41And then I used my...
05:43I used Mrs. Universe also as a platform for my... to showcase my talent.
05:50Are your friends also wearing your dresses now?
05:53Yes.
05:54Yes.
05:55Oh, wow.
05:56Wow.
05:56So, may upcoming collections or exhibits ba kayo na dapat naming abangan?
06:01Would you like to promote it?
06:03On May 24, I'll be in Indian Indie Film Festival, 11th Indian Indie Film Festival, and then May 26, I
06:12will be in Manila Elegant Society, and June 3, Philippines Loveliest.
06:18I will have my own collection then sa fashion shows, sa Philippines Loveliest.
06:23Very busy in the next coming weeks. Congratulations with that.
06:27Thank you, thank you.
06:27And with that, thank you for sharing your knowledge to all of us.
06:30Talagang na-inspire kami sa iyong Mrs. Universe Pacific Philippines, Ms. Jenny Mercado Ortega.
06:36Thank you once again.
06:36Thank you, I'll see you again.
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