THIS IS Part 3 of ThePSN interview that talks about voguing at the Palanca Awards night with Mr. Universe 2022, and the question of relevance in the new decade.
In Part 1, I talked about the need for glam after the pandemic.
In Part 2, I discussed the value of glam in a social media age.
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Eager to have a glimpse of how ThePSN is going to rock the scene in 2023, Ronelo Ladiao surveys the current and future projects of your local literary icon who is affecting more than just literature and the arts, and more than just the region for that matter.
Like, what is this Australia-based fashion magazine?
How am I involved in a new magazine?
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RSL: Tell us about your construction and real estate projects in Dumangas. Do you have other new projects like films, and publishing?
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Casa Dom Pedro, the apartelle building that I had built in 2019 as a 50th year birthday gift to myself, will hopefully operate soon. It started construction in August 2018, and was promptly finished by July 2019.
I had it blessed in October 2019, and then the pandemic hit. I decided to padlock it with no water, no electricity.
I had a falling out with my property administrator (who was supposed to facilitate the water and electricity supply), and with the no-can-do attitude of people while I was stranded in the US because of the pandemic, the building fell into some minor disrepair. But nothing that canât be undone by a fresh touch of paint, and some WD-40 rust remover.
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Also, I have started to deal with my farm property.
I decided to build a treehouse on a hill. Itâs a 5-level treehouse at an estimated cost of half a million pesos if I didnât have my own acacia trees for lumber. I also built a dipping pool, because why not?
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The farm I have called Hacienda Dom Pedro, even if it is not too big. But the view of the neighboring farms is wonderful at the top of my treehouse so it truly feels like an hacienda. Haha.
The treehouse I have called La Choza de Dom Pedro, meaning The Hut/Chalet of Lord Peter. Because if you can build a P350,000 treehouse, I think you are entitled to call it whatever you want.
The pools I have called Las Charcas de Dom Pedro, The Twin Pools of Love and Desire. Youâve got to see and experience the twin-pools to understand why.
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So yeah, all these construction works slowed down my other projects. But I know it is just a matter of time. Next, it will be publishing. Next, it will be a movie.
I mean, Iâve already talked to Mr. Universe, right? And he did ask me to give him a film project!
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RSL: Do you enjoy your new gig as a magazine editor? Tell us more about FASSION8, and what makes you âhighly passionateâ about it?
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ThePSN: Ronelo Ladiao dragged me into this. But I like the idea of being consulted, so being named Consulting Editor is fine. Haha.
I was feeling lazy in a provincial town when the request to go over some articles was made, so I said yes to reading them with my editorial eyes. I read and edited the articles over morning coffee so that was light and easy.
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The articles were magazine stories so nothing very cerebral, nothing like Palanca ânosebleedâ. It was actually fun, inspiring, and enjoyable as magazine stories should be. That hooked me in.
When more articles were sent, I just said yes. I didnât expect the offer to be its Consulting Editor, but good things happen to nice people. Haha.
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FASSION8 is the stylized fusion of the words âfashionâ and âpassionateâ, with the lucky number 8 drawn in to take the place of â-ateâ. Thatâs so Filipino, but also very Textese and very 2020s.
The magazine content is pretty much oriented towards fashion, beauty pageants, Filipino culture, tourism, Filipino-Australian community, and international relations (because the publishers are Filipinos living in Australia, and promoters of events and pageants).
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I always thought that magazines are a welcome treat. I love collecting flight magazines, so if we have another fashion and beauty magazine that carries stories of passionate designers, artists and cultural workers, I am all for it. I may even render my services as Consulting Editor. Haha. (To be continued as âSecret Weaponâ)/PN
