DJ Montano spins Indian & modern tales

Style, in its truest essence, is the elegant and natural translation of oneself through external features. It is an incorporation of one’s tastes in clothing, food, and how one chooses to live. The lifestyle bug bit me at an early age when I was watching all those do-it-yourself shows. Once, to my mother’s horror, I painted my walk-in closet pink and hung nude Playboy photographs from the ’70s. That was really cool. Since then, I have sought inspiration from places high and low. From Lynette Jennings to 17th-century French decor to old Hollywood bourgeois glam, all have continued to enthuse me and feed my lust for such objects of desire amid the groans of my anorexic bank account. I have noticed that though there’s a lifestyle boom happening, a lot of people still choose to be formulaic in decorating their homes. It’s like those halter tops and jeans that ever naughty Betty wears when she goes out and decides to get lucky. So generic, it’s the paracetamol of style. Fortunately, there are those who confidently speak the language of panache. DJ Montano’s immaculate pad speaks it with a thick upper crust accent.

It’s like getting a direct IV shot of chic as you walk through his cozy living quarters. Free of the gaudy furnishings you find in Lino Brocka movies, DJ’s apartment speaks of today’s modern sophistication while maintaining its very intimate and personal charm. Each piece possesses a character that reflects a facet of DJ’s multifarious personality. From the lush peacock feathers that hint of exotic delights to the sturdy dark wood coffee tables adorned with well-chosen ornaments to the warm breakfast nook that doubles as an after-hours lush lounge, each corner is like a metaphor of DJ’s fashionably hushed and graceful style.

I am not going to discuss design here. Rather, I will talk about a man who lives, breathes and eats stylishness as if it were free caviar. If I gush a lot in the course of this article, please bear with me.

My romance with DJ started when Raj first opened. The moment he stuck a bindi on my forehead, I knew this guy was a gung-ho style soldier. I felt like I was in an another world in this restaurant with its romantic booths and kick-ass bathroom. I wanted to live there and smell like incense forever. The romantic interiors of Raj have earned it its reputation as a "seal the deal" joint, uniting lovers all around the metropolis. This is definitely not the place to go to when you want to break up with someone. Then one night, after having one drink too many at Fidel, DJ invited us to his pad. My cosmo-hazed mind immediately went to work as I walked in. It’s a vision of chocolate and vanilla, as brown and beige play a pivotal role in the color scheme, hinting of dusky sensuality and sophisticated sweetness. It ceases to be indistinct as it is infused with subtle additions of quirky but nonetheless hopelessly exquisite pieces from different parts of the world. The coolness of its modern lines is warmed by old pieces that each tell a story and make this helm of good taste into a home. DJ notes some of the pieces that are close to his heart, "I love this old-framed black-and-white picture of my father, grandfather and great-grandfather in their political days along with then President Diosdado Macapagal – they all seem so dignified – it gives one a feeling of solidarity through the generations. Another is a crystal perfume bottle from my grandmother – I swear, though it’s been long empty, I can still smell traces of my grandmother’s Joy eau de parfum. Lastly, there’s this old molave writing desk, the first piece of furniture I bought in my college years, which has been with me through four apartments. I like all the coffee cup stains and scratches that seem to have enveloped its surface through my writing years."

His lust for detail is evident not only to his friends but also to strangers who wine and dine at Raj. Everything is simply so well thought out – from the simple floral arrangement in the kitchen to the smart toiletry collection in his bathroom, nothing is left to chance. He gushes, "As they say, God is in the detail. It’s the details that truly make the difference. Picture two women in elegant black dresses, the only thing setting them apart is that the other woman has decided to wrap a lovely silk scarf around her neck. The latter would definitely get my Miss Universe vote!"

It is pristine yet cozy, a combination which is hard to successfully achieve. "I honestly don’t have one particular way of doing things. However, I tend towards most anything unconventional, the French are quite good at this with their sense of ‘je ne sais quoi’. I quite detest things rather commonplace and mediocre – in the simplest of words, I like being unique. As style isn’t only about the things you wear but also about how you act, how you communicate, to comparatively state: I would overwhelmingly prefer Gucci over Ralph Lauren and James Bond over John Wayne. Anytime," he says.

DJ is a predecessor of his grandmother Virginia Montano’s unaffected style. Ironically enough, he also lauds Imelda Marcos for her decadence and the late Elvira Manahan for her timeless elegance. These style icons have helped shape DJ’s uncontrived good taste and enviable lifestyle.

What adds soul to DJ’s way of life is neither the well-appointed pieces that fill his apartment nor the blissful meals he serves or the to-die-for outfits he wears. Much of it has to do with the fact that he lives in Manila’s premier style district, Malate. "Its charm is rooted in its old history, its bohemian style, its character – something that came out of something not quite perfect, not too manicured," he asserts.

Adding another star to Malate’s already hip strip is his latest baby, the private members-only lounge Acquario. "Acquario Liquid Lounge endeavors to be an international bar with high quality drinks and ambient music (different from chill-out which you pretty much hear everywhere now) as its main form of entertainment in a modern water-inspired setting. It’s a collaboration between very talented people who include Ed Calma for its architecture and B&C Design for its graphics. The site is located just beside Raj, which is reached through a courtyard off Maria Orosa, Malate. We would like Acquario to be a venue where one can just relax, enjoy good music and good company, have extremely delicious international cocktails and drinks – recipes which differentiate a calamansi from a lime and a lemon – in other words, they strictly adhere to their classic roots and are not the bastardized, mutated forms which we often see nowadays. We will also be serving a few chosen hors d’oeuvres to complement the beverages. Membership and its usual privileges will also be offered to a number of people shortly after its January/February opening," he reports.

Like any perfectionist, he still gets seizures when he talks of the crevices in Manilans’ sense of style. "A common trend here, sadly, is the compelling habit to imitate what everyone else is doing. They also play it too safe – typical Filipino women try to convey a conservative, demure image by wearing a boring blouse with khaki or navy blue slacks while the men, for fear of being mistaken as gay, wear an over-oversized shirt (the types that droop at least two inches from where the shoulder ends) and pair it with droopy, baggy pants. Enough already! When it comes to style, don’t be afraid. After all, it takes guts and loads of confidence to be truly stylish," he quips.

At the end of the day, DJ’s love for the good life has elevated into a sort of altruistic endeavor as it inspires people to appreciate the aesthetic charms Malate has to offer. These days, it’s common to hear that everyone now wants to be a DJ. However, in the heart of Malate, there is a DJ whose music does not come from B&W speakers but rather from rose-flavored martinis, jasmine incense, witty conversation and boundless good taste. Cheers to that, dah-ling!