Inquirer Lifestyle’s Tessa Prieto-Valdes would have felt right at home in Taipei, as hairdressers and makeup artists from 18 member-countries recently competed in the 19th annual Asia-Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA) Olympics.
Huge hair and endless lashes were the norm, as competitors had 30 minutes to do their magic in six categories, including ladies’ cut and blow dry, men’s cut and blow dry, creative color and fantasy makeup.
It was hard to discern prevailing trends, as everyday looks had to take a backseat to fantasy. It was typical, for instance, for hair models to wear at least four to six colors in their hair for the creative color category.
At the end of the day-long showdown, four out of five Filipinos who competed brought home prizes in their respective categories, including grand prize in evening makeup.
Even in categories that shouldn’t involve big hair, like bridal and evening makeup, competitors like Filipino Federico “Stefhanie” Ilagan had his model wearing a floor-sweeping pink dress with a matching beaded and feathered accessory.
Shaped like a giant mask, the accessory was attached to the back of Filipino-Jordanian model Ameera Johara’s dress, which also came with a huge train.
Visual gimmicks
“I already did Ameera’s hair this morning,” said Ilagan. “In my category, judging was limited to makeup, which I did on the spot. But like everyone else, I had to resort to visual gimmicks to catch the judges’ attention.”
Johara tottered in eight-inch platforms as she smiled and charmed regional judges, which included Filipinos Dina Reyes, Nestor Astilla, Tonette Moreno, Edgar Caballes and Atlas Leonel.
It was hard to believe that Johara was only 13. Underneath all that makeup and froufrou, she could easily pass off as a young adult.
Ilagan had a choice between flying in his own model and hiring one in Taiwan a day before the contest. Not wanting to take any chances, he tapped Johara in Manila and spent for her airfare. Contestants spend their own money for airfare, hotel and $150 as competitor’s fee.
His investment, including paying for excess baggage, paid off handsomely. Ilagan bested his competitors, including colleagues from the host country, to win grand prize in evening makeup.
Another Filipino, Roland “Japan” Esperanzate, won second runner-up in the same category.
It was Ilagan’s second time to win such an honor. He’s confident that like before, his achievement would translate to more business. He runs a salon in Fairview, Quezon City.
In Jayson Hisola’s case, he was even honored by the municipal government in Silang, Cavite, with a streamer proclaiming his victory after winning a previous APHCA showdown.
“People from other barangays began trooping to my salon as soon as word spread out,” said Hisola. “Even Tesda hired me as a trainer.”
Depending on the organizers’ budget, winners sometimes get cash prizes. When Hisola won in Thailand a few years ago, he brought home 30,000 baht.
More than enough
“The money was more than enough to cover my expenses,” he said. “I used the remainder to expand my shop.”
This time, Hisola won second runner-up in men’s cut and blow dry. Grand prize went to Thailand’s Ratthawut Danthong.
“The Taiwanese organizers didn’t give us any cash prizes,” said Ilagan. “It’s OK. For me, having won is enough. That would eventually pay for itself.”
Filipino Raquel Pangilagan also placed second runner-up to grand-prize winner Sasa Cheng of Hong Kong in bridal makeup.
Japanese Mai Yamazaki and Hitoshi Usukura won grand prizes in the ladies’ cut and blow dry and creative color, respectively. Best fantasy makeup went to a contestant from Macau.
APHCA was a brainchild of leading hairdresser and humanitarian Ricky Reyes during the Ramos years. From five original member-countries from Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, APHCA has grown over the years. Apart from Japan and Macau, it now includes members from Korea, Indonesia and Australia.
Reyes formed APHCA as a buffer for the impending effects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). He invited regional colleagues who shared in his vision to join him.
There was a need, he said, for regional salon owners, hairdressers and makeup artists to band together to compare notes and advance their interest, as the region moves closer to a borderless economy.
As an offshoot of this development, they agreed to organize an annual friendly competition pitting the region’s best against each other.
Like their regional colleagues, Ilagan and company competed and won in national contests to earn the right to represent the Philippines at the APHCA Olympics.
“GATT has yet to be fully implemented, but APHCA is here to stay,” said Reyes, whom even colleagues abroad refer to as “Mother.” “The only problem is, nobody seems to want to assume the presidency. They say I’m doing such a good job that I’ve become president for life.”
To decentralize APHCA’s operations, Reyes has appointed a leader from each member-country. Apart from organizing local contests, the country leader is responsible for recruiting new members and updating them of new developments within the organization.
Next year is a special one for APHCA, as it celebrates its 20th year, said Reyes. Manila, where it all began, will be hosting next year’s competition. Expect the country’s best hairdressers and makeup artists to come out in full force.