EDITORIAL: Gay Ok. (Volume II Issue VI)

As the year 2014 bids goodbye..

We would like to kick things with BAM!

So for our last hurrah and our anniversary issue we made an alternate cover to really help us voice out what we mean with this issue..

And that is that being GAY is OK..

There would probably be a lot of critics who’s argue with this STATEMENT..

But this is not for you folks..

This is for all the young boys and girls out there who are SCARED..

UNSURE..

LOST..

And probably feeling that GOD made them different in a bad way..

We have created this issue not to tolerate but to make these folks feel that it is ok..

There’s a BRIGHT TOMORROW..

But you’ve got a lot to PROVE..

You have to work harder..

You have to be TOUGHER!

You have to be SMARTER..

Not because of your DETRACTORS..

But because of your PARENTS..

And because GOD made you in his OWN likeness..

You are a son/daughter of GOD..

And if there’s one message that GOD has for you in the BIBLE..

It is that HE LOVES YOU..

No MATTER who you are..

We have on our cover one guy who has gained people’s RESPECT..

Because of his DISCIPLINE and PASSION..

At work and for ART..

It’s Charlston Teston a.k.a “DINDZ”

People may know him as the D.I.Y queen.. (check out his instagram account..haha)

As he has created a lot of fashionable stuff himself..

From bags to clothes and accessories..

He never fails to get it done..

Anyway I asked him a couple of questions and found out that he kinda figured out that he’s gay back in gradeschool -- and since he’s a momma’s boy and have 2 sisters to play with all the time which made his whole evolution easier..  

Growing up as a gay kid was never easy as he also had numerous ups and downs but what’s important is the support system that he had found in his family and friends that made him the person that he is now.

This SUPPORT SYSTEM from family and friends that he had made him so thankful..

“I couldn’t COMPLAIN”

Dindy’s parents we’re supportive enough to understand that he is different in a good way..

“There was no COMING OUT PARTY. Maybe they just understood it.”  

When asked about how he dealt with BULLIES he mentioned that it is always a part of growing up..

All the PAIN is a part of every individual’s GROWTH..

What he did instead is FOCUS all his ENERGY on sports instead like volleyball..

Such venue is important to pre-occupy those awkward stages in his life.

His message for those kids who are SCARED and UNCERTAIN on their individuality..

“EMBRACE your INDIVIDUALITY – raise and waive your freak flag ON all the time”

Let’s talk about your STYLE:

Dindy’s style icons are Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) – Carrie influenced her style choices and OBSESSION in SHOES..

She also adores Mary Kate Olsen, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie for their BOHO CHIC-ness and lastly Rihanna for being RISQUE & FEARLESS!

Since we are assuming that you we’re dressing up as a boy wayback –I’m sure our readers would love to know when did you start dressing up like this.

“It was right after ROTC in college wayback when I started dressing up like this”

Dindz would define her style as GLAMMED UP STREET STYLE – like GHETTO FABULOUS..

Which sometimes depend on her mood..

According to our cover girl people would sometimes speculate when they see her but as long as he is comfortable in her own skin then he does not care.

FASHION MUST-HAVE’s:

·         BLACK STILLETOS

·         BALLET FLATS

·         NEUTRAL TONED SHIRTS

·         DARK DENIM JEANS

·         BLACK LEATHER BOHO or HANDBAG is FOREVER.

Well we heard about your promotion at work! (Congratulations! Haha ofcourse I was your mentor haha..)

He shared that it took a lot of DISCIPLINE and SELF-CHECK / REALIZATION..

And plus she just loves what she’s doing..

So that’s it for 2014’s last hurrah!

I had so much fun over our second year..

And I’m looking forward to the next 365 days of creating art and touching people’s lives through my style and photography..

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

STALK Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo

VOLUME II ISSUE V: The BEAUTY issue.

Hi STALKERS! (yes, I mean readers..)

About a month ago I wrote something about BEAUTY..

and on how PERFECTION is a DISEASE of our NATION..

I got INSPIRED by Beyonce’s video PRETTY HURTS..

It’s about how we all wanted to do CRAZY stuff just to FIT IN..

So I wanted to work on a COVER shoot that would actually address this HUGE ISSUE of BEAUTY..

Lemme ask YOU..

What is BEAUTIFUL for you?

ANSWERING this for you is my ASPIRATION in LIFE..

HELP CHANGE the way we SEE what is BEAUTIFUL..

“I think people who are the happiest are the most beautiful creatures on this planet."  

NOT the ones with ABS..

Or FINE BUTTS..

neither the ones with PERFECT NOSE..

or the ones who could buy JIMMY CHOO’s..

So be HAPPY..

ENJOY LIFE..

DO what makes YOU HAPPY..

LIVE IT..

OWN IT..

You are BUILT in the LIKENESS of GOD our CREATOR..

KEEP that in MIND.

Anyway going back let’s do some CREDITS here..

I have COLLABORATED with my great friend KIMBERLY AGUIRRE on bringing out the BEST of BEAUTY in this issue..

She did the MAKE-UP on our stunning muse for this cover BETH.. (I’ll tell you guys more of her story & details about her soon..)

This is also the first time that I’ve done STYLING & DESIGN for the cover..

Check out the SKIRT on the cover.. (tell me what you guys think about it -- I love hearing CRITISM)

So that’s all for now..

ENJOY both COVERS of our BEAUTY ISSUE..

Have fun on this amazing MONDAY STALKERS!

STALK Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo

What I WORE: “COUNTING STARS”

Hi STALKERS it’s been awhile since my last outfit post.

My schedule is just crazy lately..

but thank GOD for giving us amazing WEEKENDS..

to have FUN and ENJOY LIFE.

Anyway almost a year ago I was given an opportunity to judge a FASHION SHOW for the high school students of “Colegio De San Agustin” in Makati..

and the experience is just a DREAM COME TRUE..

just like being NIGEL BARKER (photographer judge on America’s Next Top Model) haha..

special thanks to my good friend Lhyn Austerio for the trust.

So the question is what do you wear on an event like this?

Since I am a “JUDGE” then I have to be a little formal..

But since it’s a fashion event as well then I have to be (a little..) un-PREDICTABLE.   

So I had no choice but to wear my only neutral casual coat (Penshoppe) paired with a button down white long sleeves (Bangkok)  then a printed tie (Bangkok)..

Then since I have to spice this look up I chose this unusual colored trouser  (Bangkok)..

Yeah it’s in a shocking red shade..haha
then lastly these Brogues (SM Department Store)which is a MUST have for every guy out there.

So again the key into this whole look is to manage the COLOR SCHEME (Neutrals + Color Pop) and the PRINTS (no over powering print on print)..

so that It would blend together into a clean & polished look that guys could definitely sport on special occasions.

So that’s it for now STALKERS!

Enjoy dressing up for SUCCESS.

STALK Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo

What I WORE: SPORTY LUXE

I was NEVER the SPORTY type.

I am COMPETITIVE..

but NOT sporty.

I love ADVENTURES..

but not with SPORTS.

It could be because of the fact that I had really BAD EXPERIENCES with sports..

And I easily get injured..

It was just not for ME.

Well I am writing this blog not because of sharing my past with sports but because I hated the fact that the only shoes I had back then for everything was my PAIR of BASKETBALL SHOES.

Well not that I am complaining. Haha

It was just NOT ME.

Baggy tops + Basketball shoes + huge denim pants .. ? CRAZY!

So here’s a look that I came up with that we guys could wear with our RUBBER SHOES in a more fashionable way (Just so that you won’t look like you just got out off the court) haha.

So I paired this RUNNING SHOES of mine with some PRINTED SOCKS..

Then I chose to wear this cute SHORTS from (Folded & Hung) then this old KNITTED SWEATER from (Regatta)and this long-sleeved shirt under just to create that PREPPY JOCK look.

I just had to make sure that the details don’t over power each other.

The technique is BOLD PRINTS + MICRO PRINTS..

Choice of COLOR is also IMPORTANT.

So for this look I chose BLUE as the one TONE that would make it more PUT-TOGETHER.

And oh lastly some NERDY GLASSES and that GOLD wrist watch (Casio) --which is a come back..silver is just becoming too overrated in the accessories world.. and that's to complete the whole look.

Have FUN dressing up STALKERS!

Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo  

What I WORE: Maroon Coat + Brown Leather Bag (look #2)

Hi STALKERS! I am finally back on the radar after being sooo busy with work and some events that I had to attend to.. (feeling celebrity lang.. haha) anyways I am back from a recent holy week trip that I would post in a few days..

I just feel REFRESHED..

And REVIVED..

Specially that we’ve celebrated EASTER this past Sunday at the Mall Of Asia ARENA with Brother Bo Sanchez’s “The Grand Easter FEAST” where I’ve learned so much about GOD and his unconditional love for us.

So anyway I feel sooo INSPIRED to blog today. I am starting with this collaboration of mine with my good friend ELMER about his awesome locally made bags from Marikina.

Yeah It is local and that’s why I am blogging about it.

Well as you guys noticed one STALK’s vision and mission is to help promote local talent.

And truly these bags deserve a spot on our list.

Check out some of my personal favorites from the collection.  

Anyway here’s the second look from the “MAROON FIVE” challenge where I need to create five different looks using this maroon coat that I’ve recently bought for a wedding of a good friend of mine.

For this look my BASE was the same COAT + NAVY PANTS.

Then I wore this pullovers that I bought from a TIANGGE in Tagaytay last year which just makes the look more of “IN THE NAVY”..  

Then these brown leather BROGUES from SM Department store.

And I just accessorized the whole look with..

brown leather bag + clear glasses

Where can you wear this?

It’s perfect for the OFFICE. (I do wear this in the office myself..)

Wear it on Sundays at the CHURCH (given that your church is air-conditioned..)

Or wear it on casual BUSINESS MEETINGS or even around the CAMPUS during your SUMMER classes.

Just always remember to wear something that fits you and your personality and I’m sure you’ll definitely stand out with this look.

For orders and inquiries you may contact my friend

through instagram: iam_elmer / 09174695617

Have fun dressing up STALKERS!

Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo

EDITORIAL: “PROM NIGHT”

February has been a very memorable part of most of our lives not just because of Valentine’s Day but because of high school “PROM”. It would always remind us of a lot of our firsts such as first slow dance, first love, first kiss, first I love you, first date and a lot more. Now all of these won’t be complete without looking your best on these special occasions. This is why STALK would want to make sure that guys would be at their best during such occasion.

This month we have our featured model “Jolly Bilangdal” on the cover to show us his take on how to look your best this month from classic to trendy ways of a true dapper gent. Jolly recalls how well fitted clothes do create a lot of difference in men’s wear. According to him the right fit is something that’s not too fit and not too big; it just needs a little allowance for you to be able to breathe in and move around. It is also important that your look is updated but still classy. 

We did this month’s shoot outdoors preferably on a dry rice field to create a different ambiance on this year’s first issue. We started the shoot quite late than the usual on a weekend (since I was on a deadline rush.. haha). The quick sunset did not stop us from finishing the whole shoot. It really helped that during the whole shoot our model was just so goofy around the set (as usual..). His energy is just bursting everywhere and that just made everything easy for STALK to work with him (as always.. haha). People would normally assume that a guy with good looks would normally be a stereotyped jock or just someone who’s famous because of his physical appearance. However Not too many people know that (our model) Jolly was a class salutatorian back in high school and was a recipient of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo excellence award that almost got him an opportunity to be a foreign exchange student in London however due to a travel warning back then (particularly the ABUSAYAF ISSUE) the London expedition didn’t push through. He was also very active in extracurricular activities at school and one proof is that he was a part of his batch’s student council and he was also an officer in CAT. His accomplishments never stopped in high school actually when he was in college he was also the president of Philippine Institute of chemical engineer junior chapter Mapua Institute of technology. Fame has never left him (in college) as he won Mr. Chemical Engineering and Chemistry back in 2004 and was 4^th runner up in Mr. Cardinal (also in Mapua). Truly our cover guy is one role model that our youth could look up to in terms of being an overall achiever in career and in life.

Here at STALK we would always want to show our youth that looking great would only be superficial if you won’t work on your personality. The importance of dressing up is that it is a way of expressing oneself and it’s a way of packaging yourself as someone you’d want people to see. As usual we would always aim to put the “S” tyle into our TALK.

Have fun reading and browsing our first issue this 2014!

Special Thanks to our shoot assistants Lovely Rae Faundo and Kimberly Aguirre

                                                                                       

Stalk Editor-In-Chief

Louie Ray Faundo

"PROM NIGHT"

Editor's Note:

"The long wait is over!"

                  Hi Stalkers! It has been a while since our last issue came out last year with model "John Louie" in that racy year ender cover (and oh boy it was a blast!) -- Now marks a new beginning for our mag as we try and raise the bars higher with our upcoming cover shoots and features.. Anything that we could share for all our dear STALKERS. You might have noticed how "What I WORE" spot has improved and how our headquarters on blogger has been back on the radar. 

                The past year has been amazing for me as some of my dreams already came true. One of these were my photography contribution with "STATUS" magazine and how we (STALK) have been trying to surpass most of our past achievements.. and ofcourse how would I forget the first time I've judged a high school fashion show in Colegio San Agustin (Makati) --Truly I have been very blessed and that's why we've opened up STALK this year to contributors / models / photographers and writers.. just so they would have a venue to expose their God given gifts. We believe in the saying that "To whom much is given, much is expected to be given back in return". 

                   Anyway this month marks our first issue for 2014 (now on our 3rd Volume!) -- I have been always inspired by how fashion and romance is just celebrated every month of February. Love is just felt everywhere and everyone seems to look much of a dapper gentlemen.. and that's our focus for our issue "PROM NIGHT" with our model Jolly Bilangdal I -- who has been one of the pioneer models of STALK. He has graced the cover twice (this is his 3rd.. first was Dapper and Promance) and this is his first solo cover. So here it is our latest cover shoot for 2014.

Model Jolly Bilangdal I

Photographed by Louie Ray Faundo

Special Thanks to our shoot assistants Kimberly Aguirre and Lovely Rae Faundo

Enjoy reading STALKERS!

STALK Editor-In-Chief 

Louie Ray Faundo

What I WORE: PROM SEASON

                     Hi STALKERS it has been a crazy month for me.. trying to balance everything from the office to blogging and working on the next cover of STALK (which is still a work in progress). 
                     Since we are celebrating "LOVE" this month then it only means that the prom season has begun. Back in high school "PROM" has been very memorable occasion for me.. it was LIFE CHANGING. I was a late bloomer back then.. I guess it helped that I did not rush on "GROWING UP". I remember that I was still playing with action figured toys back in second year high school.. dressing up was not really my priority back then. Until my third year in high school.. things started to changed slowly.. I was becoming more conscious of how I look and how  people see me. I started "DIE-eting" - since I was overweight back in high school fitting in my clothes was such a challenge.. then PROM came and I won the title as the "PROM PRINCE".. I am still clueless up til this date on how was I able to get that title. All I can think of is that they might have seen the "TRANSFORMATION" of myself that night. So my goal this month is to "INSPIRE" most of my readers with ideas on what to wear to the big PROM NIGHT.
                   So here's the first IDEA.. I'm wearing my most worn item in my closet which is this "GREY COAT" (Penshoppe) which I think is just basic for men's clothing for PROM. I paired it with this black pull overs (ZARA) and plain black trousers (Bangkok) and these BROGUES from SM Department store. This look is perfect for boys who is on the "CHUBBY" side. The all black top and bottom just creates that slim and taller figure and the neutral toned coat just adds a kick to the whole look. I used a brown belt that matches this BROGUES (SM Department Store) and lastly to complete the  whole look accessorize with a neutral toned watch and you've got yourself a dapper look for prom. 

I'll be posting more looks for the next weeks to come.
Thanks to my lil sis Lovely Faundo for these shots.

STALK Editor-In-Chief
Louie Ray Faundo