Salon owners and hairdressers from Santolan, Pasig, beneficiaries of Salon Sagip.

From the pigeonhole:

With the trail of destruction that typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng left at their wake, the task of rebuilding and restoration remains a challenge for many who suffered tremendous losses. Hair Asia, through the initiative of Ms. Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, spearheaded Sagip Salon which is Hair Asia’s relief program to mobilize support and aid for members of the hair and beauty industry who fell victim to the onslaught of the super-typhoons.

While relief goods are already being distributed to many hairdressers all over the Greater Manila Area, Hair Asia’s Sagip Salon in particular, is pooling donations that would help hairdressers get back on their feet. Already, various salon equipment and products have been donated.

Evelyn explains that the endeavor to help restore the livelihood of affected hairdressers also serves the bigger goal of helping rebuild the country’s salon industry that was badly crippled by the calamity.

She is gratified by the prompt and generous response of many partners in the industry. Relief goods in the form of food and clothes were gladly extended by Shawill Enterprises, Jackie Barbasa of Push Thru Marketing, Miki Martinez and many other enterprises and hairdressers. Getz Brothers distributors of Finesse Styling Products, Golden Fabulouz and Ah Glow took up the Sagip Salon call by donating various salon products like shampoo and conditioners, and styling, coloring and rebonding treatments.

Evelyn is also thankful to those who donated salon equipment and tools like James Cooper, Angelo Justin and Bambbi Fuentes who gave a hydraulic chair, Leo Priagola who contributed hair blowers and irons, and Linda Tan of LBY Enterprises who donated numerous spray guns. She made special mention of long-time industry friends like Teng Roma of Emphasis Salon who donated substantial amounts in cash.

Evelyn says that she will be distributing all the donated salon equipment, tools and products during Salon Spectacular 2009 at the World Trade Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City on Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Salon Spectacular is an annual event organized by Hair Asia that gathers thousands of hairdressers and salon practitioners from all over the country. The whole-day affair is packed with fierce competitions, educational seminars and demonstrations, elaborate hair shows and loads of trade booths.

Part of the exciting lineup of events is the first ever Parade of Regions featuring fantastical hair creations by Hair Asia’s Regional Chairmen showcasing the local fiestas and celebrations of the regions from which they hail. The official oath-taking ceremony of the Regional Chairmen shall also be taking place during the event.

Katrina Halili as participant

Katrina Halili, Hair Asia Magazine’s latest cover girl, will be participating in the Parade of Regions, representing her home-region of Palawan. She will take to the runway with Palawan Regional Chairman, Bong Villanueva, who has worked with Katrina for many years already.

After the Parade, Katrina will stay on for a special magazine-signing session for everyone who purchases the magazine during the event. Part of the proceeds from the magazine sales will also go into the Sagip Salon project.

On the main stage as well, a live demonstration and show will be presented by Vidal Sassoon Educator, Matthew Foster of London. Foster will be joining the Hair Asia family as Principal of the Hair Asia Academy upon its opening in the coming months.

Evelyn emphasizes that Hair Asia promotes learning that are helpful to real-world applications – cuts and styles that are practical and easily adaptable from the runway to the mass market. So, while there will be a healthy dose of imaginative interpretations and highly-artistic creations during the show, participants can also look forward to progressively fashionable hairstyles that they can immediately use for their clients.

As for Salon Spectacular’s Cosmetic Trade Fairs, attendees can look forward to a wide array of hair products, tools, gadgets, equipment and many other accessories at hugely discounted prices. Several industry partners will be launching their newest products such as L’Oréal Professionnel, Matrix, Revlon, Finesse, Suave and Babyliss. As well as Aficionado Germany Perfume, Ahglow, Aktuelle, Beauty Concept, Beauty Lane Phils., Beauty Touch, Botanique Spa, Creatic, DKC Trading, Ever Bilena, Golden Fabulouz, Handle Enterprises, Indio Cosmeceutical, LBY Enterprises Corp., Lynelle Hair Fashion, Max Factor, Mondes Professional, MRC, MTN Marketing, Schwarzkopf, Shawill Corporation, Suesh Makeup Toolkit, TBS Beauty Products Inc., Vybrance International, and Wahl.

However, the real high point of Salon Spectacular is the competition itself. The most talented hairdressers from the Metro will be competing in three categories – Ladies’ Haircut and Colour Design, Gents’ Haircut and Colour Design, and Progressive Evening Hairstyle and Makeup Design. At stake, this time around, is a round trip ticket, with accommodations, to Paris, France to attend the Hair World Olympics in 2010.

For more information, go to hairasia@hotmail.com.

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‘Survivor Philippines’ – 5 more remain

Out of the 16 castaways “stranded” on the island of Palau for more than a month already, only five remain standing! They will compete against each other to survive, and definitely, only one will win and “take all” as the next survivor in “Survivor Philippines: Palau” edition!

The five remaining castaways are: Charles de Vera Fernandez, the “Raketista” from Dagupan; Jef Gaitan, “the Girl Next Door” from Manila; Mika Batchelor, “The Sexy Chef” from Palawan; Amanda Colley Van Cooll “the Probinsyang Tisay” of Mindoro; and Justine Ferrer, “The Beauty Queen” from Caloocan.

As the five castaways enter the last three weeks of “Survivor Philippines,” the challenges become more intensified. Each castaway will, alone by himself or herself, or in alliance with any of the other five castaways, will do everything to survive the battle or challenges!

While we know that one of the motives for joining “Survivor Philippines” is the P3-million pesos grand prize, other motives are to gain exposure, experience camaraderie and to meet challenges head-on and develop self-confidence.

Mika Batchelor said that whatever will be the outcome of the endurance game, she will not abandon her profession. “I will maintain my business – my profession – and even work harder to promote it.” Mika manages her own restaurant.

On his own, Charles de Vera Fernandez said: “I will not leave my business – sales and networking.”

“I learned a lot from Survivor Philippines,” Charles added. “Never give up,” he stressed. “Go for your dreams, your decision, whatever happens!” Charles is 21 years old. “One thing I learned so much in Survivor Philippines is pakikisama,” Charles added.

Charles was earlier perceived as one of the weakest castaways. But he is also known as an effective strategist.

Jef, considered as one of the weakest among the girls, is brilliant in keeping alliances.

“Survivor Philippines” become even more exciting as the five castaways may – with the proverbial tooth and nail – try to dominate one another to attain the glory of becoming the winner and sole survivor!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 6 go to Shaina Magdayao of Star Magic, Dr. Raul Guanzon, prominent PR persons Edd Fuentes, Joy Buensalido and Rene Nieva, Letty Caparros, Clara Francesca Tagasa, Dona Rufina Saldana, Michael Bermundo, Meldy Tuazon-Rubiano, Ms. Leonarda Camacho, Manu H. Pili, Bong Obligacion and MB’s Motoring Editor Pinky C. Colmenares. Belated b-day greetings to Queencie Joy Crisostomo (Nov. 5).