Co-founder Smart Communications Orlando Vea

One of the reason why almost every Filipino owns a handheld phone is because of Orlando Vea, one of the founders of Smart Communications. A shining example of a successful businessman, Vea turned not only a single product into gold, but an entire industry and culture altogether, teaching the nation’s mass consumers to also see the gold in a once virtually invisible commodity.

Orlando Vea is one of the country’s leading technology entrepreneurs by being the co-founder of Smart Communications, and Chief Executive Officer of Mediaquest.

Orlando’s father was a civil servant and his mother is a retired schoolteacher. He was raised in a simple family but with perfect moral strength and values. He was taught to have community awareness and work ethics (which he is apllying now in his telecommunications business).

He was always curious about science and technology as a child that he had been a scholar in Physics. This was not the course he took, though, in college but Economics which he finished at the University of the Philippines as a cum laude.

Together with Dave Fernando, they founded Smart Communications in 1991. They made cellular phones more affordable and more available to the people. They put cell sites in remote areas providing coverage to everybody anywhere in the country. They aim not only to give mobile devices available for all but also the basic telephone service which they think the people really need. To be able to make this happen, they partner with First Pacific Group and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) which were then the biggest telco in the world in terms of market capitalization.

Smart Communications is the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider now with 27 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-June 2007.

Orlando Vea is also the chief executive officer of Media Quest, a company that delivers news, entertainment, education, and other information through the use of satellite, cable, fiber, wire or wireless networks to a television, mobile phone, PDA, PC, movie screen or any digital broadcast receiver.

“ My greatest high now comes from seeing the cellphone in the hands of little people like market vendors, farmers, fishermen, tricycle drivers, household help and many others…

Visual Artist Leo Abaya

Leo Abaya seems to have that natural artist’s eye. A visual artist, commercial director and the award-winning production designer for José Rizal, Kubrador and Muro-Ami, he admits that he couldn’t point out exactly where in his family he got his affinity for art. He could name about a couple of relatives in the field of art, but most of them are businessmen, doctors, teachers and lawyers.

But influences from Abaya’s childhood prepared him for art. As a child, he was encouraged to read and one of his favorite books then was Alice In Wonderland. In his pre-teens, he enjoyed the works of Margaret Mead, Greek mythology, and comics like Spider-Man, Batman and Tarzan. He was also listened to a lot of radio dramas while in the company of his yaya when his parents were at work. His artistic streak was soon evident. In school, he filled his notebooks more with drawings than with notes.

Abaya basically had a normal childhood, though he felt at some point that his dad had a bit of preference for his brother Butch. In an attempt to get his parents’ attention, Abaya participated in art contests, always managing to win first prize.

However, he didn’t take drawing seriously at that time. When it was time for college, his first choice was economics. After college he got a certificate in short filmmaking from the UP Film Center Cinema as Art Program at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Among his batch were designer Eric Paras, visual artist Alan Rivera and Cynthia Estrada, and their director of photography was Clinton Morales. Their film entitled Napindan won first prize in that year’s festival.

Because he didn’t have any connections in the film industry, Abaya entered the corporate world instead, working in Meralco and PNB. Later, though, he got accepted in Ricky Lee’s workshop and started writing TV scripts. A story that Abaya wrote was used in an actors’ workshop by Laurice Guillen and Johnny Delgado. Soon he was asked to art direct Vietnam Rose by Cesar Ad Castillo, but he got his big break with Misis Mo, Misis Ko by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna. After that, offers started pouring in.

With his pick of scripts, Abaya makes sure he reads each one before choosing. If he doesn’t like what he reads, he doesn’t do it. He believes in aiming for quality not quantity, that what matters is not whether your filmography is long, but that everything in it is good. In retrospect, he admits there were films he wasn’t particularly proud of, but wouldn’t repeat his mistakes.

Abaya also got into directing commercials through Vittorio Romero, who saw one of his films and got him to work on his commercials. Among Abaya’s most memorable works are Bagong Tunog for Cosmos Bottling Co. and shampoo commercials for Head & Shoulders.

After meeting some art directors, he decided to pursue formal art studies. He got his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the UP College of Fine Arts in Diliman in 1995, graduating magna cum laude. In 2004, he got his Master of Arts in Painting from the Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

In 1997, while teaching at the UP College of Fine Arts, Abaya was offered by Greg de Guzman to work on the film José Rizal. Abaya saw it as a challenge and he was determined to see the task through – to recreate

the 19th century Philippines and give people an idea of what we were then. For his work on the film, he won the awards for Best Production Design in the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival, the 1999 FAMAS Awards and the 1999 Gawad Urian, and Production Designer of the Year in the 1999 Star Awards for Movies.

The work he is most proud of so far is Muro-Ami, as well as Kubrador and Itanong Mo Sa Buwan. Still, he feels that his best work is yet to come. For now, his dream project is as a filmmaker and not as a production designer. He feels he is ready for directing, and if he made a film, he would like the story to be very simple but something that reaches the soul.

As an artist, he has held a number of solo shows. These include his first solo show, Bliss, at the West Gallery in SM Mega Art Walk in 1997; Corpora Immobilia, a large installation work at the Corredor Gallery at the UP College of Fine Arts in July 2003; Figures and Grounds at the Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo in April 2005; and Tropical, Baroque at the Utterly Art Gallery in Singapore in June 2008.

Among his awards and recognition are the Juror’s Prize in the AAP Art Competition in 1993; Best Production Design for Muro-Ami at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1999; Best Production Design a Faculty Fellowship Grant for Overseas Postgraduate Studies from the University of the Philippines in 2003; shortlisted, one of two finalists for Best Book Design for Ani: The Life and Art of Hermogena Borja Lungay in the Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards in 2007; and Best Production Design for Kubrador at the Gawad Urian in 2007.

Abaya reveals that he is not a harsh critic when watching other films, because he understands how difficult it is to make movies. However, he is a bit harsh when it comes to Hollywood productions, because they have a bigger budget and there is no excuse for making mistakes. As a professor, he doesn’t make too much room for his own opinions, as he is only there to guide his students. He believes that one could make a learning experience out of even the most trivial event and that one should always strive to improve one’s craft. To achieve this, it is important to know oneself and to have passion and discipline. Abaya is a testament to his beliefs.

Vanessa Hudgens: Half Filipina

The best assets of Vanessa, whose mother Gina Guangco is a Filipina, are her dark eyes, which twinkle when she smiles or laughs. Her brunette hair was artfully arranged in the back. She wore several bracelets on both wrists.

Vanessa, who has an album titled “V,” has a younger sister, Stella, 11, also an aspiring actress. Their father, Greg Hudgens, is of Irish and Native American descent.

Her mother told me several stories about where she used to live. She has 11 brothers and sisters so she had a big family. Vanessa loves Filipino food. She loves halo-halo, pancit and adobo. She proudly says that she’s such a Filipino— eating rice every day.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988)[3] is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she guest starred in television shows like Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers García, Drake & Josh, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Hudgens made her screen debut in the 2003 drama film Thirteen as Noel. She got her first starring role in the 2004 science-fiction-adventure film Thunderbirds as Tintin.

Hudgens garnered prominence with her portrayal of the fictional character Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series. She earned critical acclaim for her role in the 2009 film Bandslam. Hudgens’s debut album V was released on September 26, 2006. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number twenty four, and w

as later certified Gold. Hudgens released her second album, Identified, on July 1, 2008 in the U.S.

Her height is 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m). In an October 2007 interview, Hudgens stated that she is dating her High School Musical series co-star Zac Efron and had been since the filming of High School Musical. The two were paired together during the audition process and got the part because of their chemistry. In 2006, Hudgens’s earnings were estimated to be $2 million. Hudgens was included in Forbes richest list in early 2007, it was posted in Forbes website, that Hudgens was included in Young Hollywood’s Top Earning-Stars. On December 12, 2008, Hudgens was ranked #20 in the list of Forbes “High Earners Under 30?, having reported to have an estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008. She was number 62 at FHM’s Sexiest Women in the World of 2008 and number 42 in the 2009 list. Hudgens is also featured in Maxim’s lists. She was included in People’s annual “100 Most Beautiful People” 2008 and 2009 lists.

Hudgens is represented by William Morris Agency. Hudgens also promotes Neutrogena and was the 2008 featured celebrity for Sears’ back-to school campaign. She was a spokesperson for Mark Ecko products. But in late 2009, she ended the 2-year contract with Ecko products. Hudgens regularly volunteers for charitable activities, including those for Best Buddies International, Lollipop Theater Network,[68] St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital[69] and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Hudgens is also featured in A Very Special Christmas Vol.7 disc which benefits the Special Olympics.

A multi-awarded furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue

Kenneth Cobonpue is a multi-awarded  furniture designer and manufacturer from Cebu. He graduated in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York with highest honors and subsequently worked in Italy and Germany. Integrating locally sourced materials with innovative handmade production procceses, Cobonpue's brand is known around the world for its unique designs and roster of clientele that include Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt and members of royalty.

Awards to his credit include 5 Japan Good Design Awards, the grand prize at the Singapore International Design Competition, the Design for Asia Award of Hongkong, the American Society of Interior Design Top Pick selection and the French Coup de Coeur award.  Several of his designs were selected for several editions of the International Design Yearbook published in London and New York. Phaidon’s book entitled "& FORK" underscores Kenneth's position as a leader of a new movement incorporating new technologies with crafts. He has appeared on European television, countless international magazines and  newspapers around the world. Various Cobonpue designs have also appeared in full-length feature films and television such as Oceans 13 and CSI.

Kenneth reveals new work each year in design shows from Paris to New York. He also speaks regularly about Southeast Asian design all over the world. In 2007, TIME magazine called him "rattans first virtuoso".

It was not the childhood dream of Cobonpue to become a furniture designer. “I wanted to do something creative. I really didn’t think about furniture. When I was just starting out, I just wanted to be a designer. Nothing in particular,” he shared.

Born and based in Cebu, he said his family used to have a furniture factory at the back of their house. As a child, he would always go there, pick up pieces of wood and start building small structures. “I worked with my hands,” he added.

Cobonpue’s mother, Betty, was also a furniture designer, whom he considers his first inspiration. She was famous for creating new techniques in working with rattan. She experimented with different materials, such as rattan, metal, terra cotta, brass and copper. Despite all the local recognitions his mother received, she was never recognized for her designs abroad. It pains him as a son.

Cobonpue is more than proud of his country, which is why he has decided to stay. “I’ve gone to China and Malaysia to see if I could produce my things there. But it’s only here where my ideas can turn out the way I really want them to, and that is largely because of the skills of our people,” he said.

“When it comes to skills, we’re second to none in Asia. We make beautiful things that we can truly call our own. That is what I want to accomplish with my pieces. I always carry that Filipino spirit and have it resonate through my work.”

COLLECTIONS:

Jed Madela

John Edward Tajanlangit (born July 14, 1980), better known by his stage name, Jed Madela, is a Filipino recording artist and TV host. He became the first Filipino to win the WCOPA world grand champion title, and is known with a uniquely wide vocal range.

He is a co-host and performer of ASAP. He is a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.

He is currently managed by GM Proponents of Artists Inc.

Madela was born in Iloilo, Philippines, the son of JC Roy Tajanlangit, a church choirmaster, and Agnes Tajanlangit, an Administrative Assistant at Pepsi. He is the elder brother of Eric Tajanlangit and Joanne Christine Tajanlangit.

He was only five years old when he started singing and acknowledges his father as his first voice coach. He is the eldest among three siblings, and his younger brother and sister are also singers in their church choir.

Jed earned a Business Administration degree from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City at the age of 18. During his campus years, he was also a regular fixture in various singing competitions, which he usually ended up winning.

With his height, good looks, educational background and a training schedule waiting in the wings, Jed was initially set to become a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines. Plans did not materialize as he explored his artistic pursuits.

For a time, Jed also became the lead vocalist of Pose (the band performed at the now-defunct Fashion Cafe in Glorietta) and Divest (based in Iloilo City). This Cancer-born singer was also handled by Ronnie Henares of Primeline and the late Bella Tan. One thing led to another and, as fate and destiny would have it, the rest is (musical) history.

Queenierich Rehman, Philippines' Miss World 2012 Contestant

Queneerich Ajero Rehman (often misspelled as Queenierich) is a Pakistani-Filipino beauty queen, and the current Miss World Philippines 2012. Rehman represented the Philippines at the Miss World 2012 pageant, in Ordos, China. as Miss World Philippines 2012. Rehman drew worldwide attention for her beatboxing talent during her participation in the pageant. Rehman is of both Filipino and Pakistani descent.

Bb. Pilipinas 2011

Rehman became popular in the Philippine pageant arena when she first joined Binibining Pilipinas 2011 where she was awarded Best in Swimsuit and placed in the Top 15. She, however, ultimately lost to eventual Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup.

Miss World Philippines

After her attempt in Bb. Pilipinas, Rehman competed the following year in the Miss World Philippines tilt. During the live final on June 25, 2012, Rehman was awarded seven out of the seventeen special awards including Best in Swimsuit, Most Photogenic and Miss Talent and at the conclusion of the event, she was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines Gwendoline Ruais and was awarded the honor of representing the Philippines at Miss World 2012.

Miss World 2012

Rehman arrived in Ordos City in China on July 19, 2012 to begin vying for the Miss World crown together with 115 other delegates. Over the duration of the pageant, Rehman was tapped as one of clear frontrunners along with Australia's Jessica Kahawaty, South Sudan's Atong Demach and Mexico's Mariana Berumen. She also gained worldwide attention for her talent she showcased for the pageant which was beatboxing which landed her in the websites of the Huffington Post and Time.

Ultimately, she placed in the Top 15, placing 8th behind Miss World 2012 Yu Wenxia of China.

Benigno Aquino III (Pnoy) (Noynoy)

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III(/b?'n?gno? ?'ki?no?/; [b?'nigno a'kino]; born February 8, 1960), also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th President of the Philippines since June 2010.

His father was the Philippines’ most famous political martyr, his mother its most beloved President. 

Born in Manila, Aquino finished his Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held several positions working in the private sector. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province. He was subsequently re-elected to the House in 2001 and 2004. In 2007, having been barred from running for re-election to the House due to term limits, he was elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Following the death of his mother on August 1, 2009, many people began calling on Aquino to run for president. On September 9, 2009, Aquino officially announced he would be a candidate in the 2010 presidential election, held on May 10, 2010. On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 presidential election. On June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,  Aquino was sworn into office as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales.

President Aquino quickly began making his own name. The sputtering economy stabilized and became hot. Aquino pushed through a reproductive-rights law that many said was impossible in the fervently Catholic nation. Most important, he became the face of the regional confrontation with Beijing over its claim to virtually all of the South China Sea. It is a brave stance, the long-term consequences still unknown.

In 2013, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Although the official residence of the President is the Malacañang Palace, Aquino actually resides in the Bahay Pangarap (House of Dreams), located within the Palace grounds.