Michael Davantes

All posts tagged Michael Davantes

Sunday Specials: Photo-blogging the Premiere Issue of Presko Magazine

Posted by Norman on May 22, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Honorary Gentleman Rein Villareal on the cover of Presko wearing Issey Miyake and Yves Saint Laurent

PRESKO. That is the name of the new high-end Fil-Am fashion magazine just recently released in the US with a premiere issue that contains very interesting stories about Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 winners, Rein Villareal (with a 10-page editorial spread), Gentlemen of the Philippines, Balikbayan Tess Herbst of Teceruma Spa, Best Filipino Restos in the US and many more!

Presko is co-founded by Michael Davantes of Montreal and Velzon Hilzon Velez of New York. Both talented guys have pooled their talents and dreams to come up witb a glossy magazine that can go head-to-head with the other publications in your favorite newsstands or digital hubs.

Your blogger also contributed two (2) articles to this issue – not an easy thing to do considering my non-stop coverages left and rigt. But everything’s good.

Meanwhile, here are sneak photos inside the first issue the formal launching event in New York.

The new Fil-Am high-end fashion magazine whose time has come – Presko

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Michael Cinco in the inside pages

Yvethe Santiago on the back cover for Bragais


A feature on Tess Herbst of Teceruma Spa


During the magazine’s launch in New York


Part of Rein Villareal’s editorial spread

Gentlemen of the Philippines: Photoshoot Sneak Pic

Posted by Norman on February 11, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

 

The Gentlemen of the Philippines (left to right): Arcel Yambing, Willan Pagayon, Reniel Villareal, Rick Kristoffer Palencia and Jolo Dayrit

 
Here they are. The Gentlemen in their first high-fashion photoshoot with Cebu-based Russian photographer Artem Levy. Honorary Gentlemen Reniel Villareal and Rick Kristoffer Palencia are garbed in Edwin Uy creations and Jojo Bragais footwear, together with Mister Model International Philippines 2015 Arcel Yambing, Mister Tourism International Philippines 2015 Willan Pagayon and Mister Worldwide Philippines 2015 Jolo Dayrit.

Credits:
Creative Director: Michael Davantes
Photographer: Artem Levy
Creative Stylist: Domz Ramos
HMUA: Dennis Santos
Videographer: Joman Radaza
Designer: Edwin Uy
Footwear: Jojo Bragais
Location: Ablaza Mansion

Email inquiries about the Gentlemen can be sent to:
gentlemencharities@gmail.com

Note: Mister Bachelor Philippines Italy 2015 Kevin Fichera should have been part of the photoshoot as well. His flight back to Manila, however, was re-scheduled for 3rd week of February.

Coming Soon: Gentlemen of the Philippines 

Posted by Norman on February 4, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

 

The six Gentlemen of the Philippines are coming your way soon!

 
The Gentlemen in the beginning, or 2015 if you will

The Gentlemen in the beginning, or 2015 if you will

Their names and faces are more-or-less familiar. Individually, you have seen them before online, in competition somewhere else or in person. As a group, though, these six men will now be known as Gentlemen of the Philippines. And this will signal the start of a male pageant in the country that will seek to find handsome and advocacy-driven young Filipinos who have more than good looks to offer.

The Gentlemen of the Philippines are:
Arcel Yambing – Mister Model International Philippines 2015
Willan Pagayon – Mister Tourism International Philippines 2015
Jolo Dayrit – Mister Worldwide Philippines 2015
Kevin Fichera – Mister Bachelor Philippines Italy 2015
along with
Judah Cohen – Mister Tourism International Philippines 2014 plus
Honorary Gentlemen
Rick Kristoffer Palencia and Reniel Villareal

Gentlemen of the Philippines will have its official launch before the end of the month. The competition will be a nationwide search for the next representatives to Mister Model International 2016 in New Delhi, India by August, Mister Tourism International 2017 in Panama City next year, Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 in Bali, Indonesia by September, Mister Worldwide Competition 2016 in Orlando, Florida by December and the inaugural edition of Mister Tourism World in Bali, Indonesia in November.

Screening of candidates will take place from March to April, with Pre-Pageant activities scheduled by late May up to the actual competition period of June 19-25, 2016.

Just last week, the high-fashion photoshoot of the reigning Gentlemen was held at the Ablaza Mansion in New Manila under the masterful photography of Cebu-based Russian lensman Artem Levy, Creative Stylist Domz Ramos, HMUA Dennis Santos, Videographer Joman Radaza and the over-all coordination of Montreal-based Michael Davantes. The handsome men wore the designs of Edwin Uy, Adam Balasa & Pegarto Clothing – with accessories by Jun-Jun Ablaza – for the shoot. The final photos will be released soon.

 

The Grand Launch of Gentlemen of the Philippines will happen late this month

 
Welcome the Gentlemen of the Philippines, dear readers! 😀

Michael Davantes shoots Francis Libiran

Posted by Norman on April 23, 2015
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Michael Davantes shoots Francis Libiran in this post. The photo above shows Mister Global Philippines 2014 Joseph Doruelo (right) and Misters of the Philippines 2014 Semifinalist Elvin Tiel.

Michael Davantes shoots Francis Libiran in this post. The photo above shows Mister Global Philippines 2014 Joseph Doruelo (right) and Misters of the Philippines 2014 Semifinalist Elvin Tiel.

michaeldavantesphotpg1 My multi-tasker friend of a Fashion Photographer Michael Davantes had a shoot for the Francis Libiran and pieces in the designer’s “100 Collection” as worn by some of the guys from Misters of the Philippines 2014 including Mister Global Philippines 2014 Joseph Doruelo and semifinalist Elvin Tiel. Check out his other works HERE.

Misters of the Philippines 2014 Candidate Virgilio Llego in Francis Libiran

Misters of the Philippines 2014 Candidate Virgilio Llego in Francis Libiran

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Michael Davantes (right) and one of his model-discoveries Eian Scully

Now since this post is really more about Michael Davantes, allow me to segue the focus to this brilliant man. You should know that – aside from being an excellent fashion lensman – he is also a Talent Manager/Discoverer (he gets the bragging rights for Eian Scully – the international endorser of 2xist underwear – who is currently one of the top male models in the world), TV host (for Mabuhay Montreal TV) and a staunch supporter of Misters/The Mister Filipinas Search 2015 (even as far back as last year when it was still called Misters of the Philippines) .

“I do admire PEPPS, the producer of Misters “The Mister Filipinas Search”, for the fact that this organization is not just about finding the best Filipinos to represent the biggest male pageants in the world. They are also genuinely concerned about the careers of their Misters so that they sought my help, having the experience of managing top international models. PEPPS is in pursuit of providing career opportunities to their “Misters” – not just locally but globally as well. So I try to help as much as I can.” stated Michael.

Misters/The Mister Filipinas Search 2015 will be bigger, bolder and braver.

Misters/The Mister Filipinas Search 2015 will be bigger, bolder and braver.

With Michael Davantes giving his 100% support to Misters 2015, the upcoming edition of the country’s biggest male pageant will definitely exceed the last – both in quality and post-pageant opportunities for the winners. And add to that my commitment to PEPPS, this blog’s coverage will be the most extensive yet. 😀

Sunday Senti Specials: normannorman.com on The North American Filipino Star

Posted by Norman on March 22, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

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Your blogger with other Pageant Experts on Michael Davantes'column in The North American Filipino Star


image Today’s Senti feature is a little different. So indulge me this Sunday, dear readers.

Time was when I started my pageant blogging as just your ordinary beauty contest enthusiast who wanted to make an online journal of sorts with no long-term intentions of getting readership and the like. After all, if my track record in diary-writing will be used as basis for the same, then my shelf life would have expired a few months after starting.

But through the years, I gradually achieved some significant semblance of a following and people made daily visits to this blog. And when I was recently featured – alongside other Pageant Experts and Writers – in the column of Michael Davantes in The North American Filipino Star, it further validated my efforts.

Thank you for staying with me since 2009. I know that there is still a lot to cover in the years to come. And being part of your daily quality time online, it will encourage me to continue with what I love doing best.

Have a restful weekend everyone! 🙂

Best of luck in Bangkok, Joseph!

Posted by Norman on February 25, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Mister Global Philippines 2014 Joseph Doruelo in his National Costume made by Edwin Uy

Mister Global Philippines 2014 Joseph Doruelo in his National Costume made by Edwin Uy

Tomorrow, Mister Global Philippines 2015 Joseph Doruelo will be departing for Bangkok, Thailand armed with the confidence and determination to follow-up the Mister International victory of Neil Perez with another win in Mister Global 2015 happening in the land of smiles from February 26 to March 7.

It won’t be an easy journey for our bet considering that the reigning winner is from another Southeast Asian country (Myanmar) aside from the presence of highly competitive delegates from Europe and Latin America.

But Joseph is up to the challenge. His Philippine Eagle-inspired national costume (left photo) by Edwin Uy alone should make him stand out. And with the generous help of designer Albert Andrada for all his formal wear turns, he will definitely look his handsomest out there.

Joseph's pre-arrival photo for Mister Global 2015 shot by Michael Davantes

Joseph’s pre-arrival photo for Mister Global 2015 shot by Michael Davantes

From all of us here at normannorman.com, may you have a most successful mission. Do us proud! 😀

The confirmed candidates of Mister Global 2015 so far

The confirmed candidates of Mister Global 2015 so far