Who is the lucky designer who will dress incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a.k.a. BBM, for his inauguration?
A report released by Radyo Pilipinas revealed that Pepito Albert is behind the rayadillo-inspired barong of BBM.
He is also the designer of the terno that will be worn by incoming First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos as well as the gowns of Imelda Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta.
Even the barong of the three presidential sons—Ferdinand Alexander, a.k.a. Sandro; Joseph Simon; William Vincent—are coming from his atelier.
Meanwhile, at past 8 p.m., PTV released an update saying the incoming first lady's terno made of vintage piña fabric will be designed by Filipino designer Lesley Mobo.
According to Jay Herrera, BBM's official image specialist for the past eight years, a barong-design contest determined the designer of the presidential family's outfits, except for the terno of the incoming first lady, who picked her own designer.
At the time of this interview, Herrera said, "His sister Irene is holding a contest among designers to get the best design."
WORKING WITH BBM
For his engagements in the weeks preceding the May 9 elections, Marcos had been wearing Jusi or shirt-jack barongs designed by Avel Bacudio.
Herrera noted that the incoming President tends to take his appearance for granted.
“Hindi siya vanidoso, hindi siya ganun ka-conscious sa kanyang appearance.
"Si Sir, kung ano ang itsura niya pagkaligo niya, okay na sa kanya yun. As is, where is. Kaya minsan may mga pictures siya na may part ng buhok niya na nakatikwas.
“Kaya yung mga ganun ang babantayan ko para ma-maintain ang dignified appearance niya. Kailangan maayos siya tingnan lagi. I will also assist him in dressing,” he also disclosed.
Herrera has also been the incoming First Lady's image specialist for the past eight years. However, he has been given marching orders to concentrate on the incoming President for now.
“I suggested for LAM to get her glam team, but it would still be up to her."
Herrera recalled how he started working for the Marcos family when BBM was still a senator.
“When he was still a senator, he had an interview with GMA so they searched for an artist and I was recommended.
"His staff suggested na gawin kong mukhang bagets si BBM so ginawa kong parang Korean yung buhok niya, wavy.
“Nung nakita niya, sabi niya, ‘What did you do to my hair?’ Kaya akala ko that would be my first and last time to work for him,” he recounted.
Much to the image specialist's surprise, he was called again after a few weeks for another interview.
This time, he said, he asked Marcos first for his suggestion and was satisfied with the style that Herrera did.
“Ginawa kong sleek yung buhok niya. Though at first, hindi pa siya sanay kaya pilit niyang binababa, until sa naging comfortable na din siya with the style at naging trademark na niya,” he added.
Herrera also revealed that it took a while for BBM to get used to working with an image specialist.
He said, “When I started working for him, noong una pag nakikita niya ako, nagre-react pa siya.
"Until na-realize niya, after getting [advice] from his Mom and sisters, na kailangan presentable siya, lalo na sa mga TV interviews.
“Ngayon, comfortable na siya sa akin at kabisado ko na rin paano ayusin ang buhok at mukha niya."
BBM may be used to working with him now, but Herrera said the incoming President still does not like spending too much time on his appearance.
The image specialist continued, "Metikuloso din siya when it comes to the time spent on his appearance kaya we have developed a good timeline.
"Alam ko nang basahin ang expression ng mukha niya pag medyo tumatagal ako sa pag-aayos ng buhok niya."
(Report: MJ Marfori)