MANILA, Philippines - Happy, filthy Halloween, freakazoids! It’s that time of year when no celebu-tante can claim the “It” girl throne — not even the sweetest eye candy in town. And only the boldest and freakiest of ‘em all can survive. We present you four of the city’s top stylists and DIY designers who have been tearing up the fishnets and glamorizing garbage bags even before Stefani Germanotta was wearing tangas. Bow down to these queens of Halloween!
JUJIIN SAMONTE
Who are you in this photo?
I am three-heads-are-better-than-one. (Laughs) I got the extra heads from Jake Galvez (used by beauty students).
What’s the freakiest thing you’ve experienced?
When someone asked for my autograph.
How freaky do you get?
Lifting weights at the gym (now, I only do it in the confines of my home) or dry-humping my pillow when I was a little boy or trying to challenge what’s acceptable and normal every day.
Where do you go and what do you do to be yourself?
I like to stay home where no one can judge, praise or undermine me. These things sometimes cut the ropes that are tied to truth and love in its purest forms and therefore allowing others to define myself.
Where do you go and what do you do to be someone else?
I am a version of everybody. We are one. (Uuy pa-deep.)
LOTHO LOTHO
Who are you in this photo?
I am caught somewhere between a mummy and Toshio from The Ring. I am wearing stripped lace and a bed frame. The bed frame felt so weird, but then again, that’s the objective, freaks!
What’s the freakiest thing you’ve experienced?
Thou shall not participate in a game where the last tequila shot has a worm in it. Too gross even for a freak!
How freaky do you get?
This made me laugh. I’m a daredevil, I love fun and I guess everybody should have a good laugh at themselves... all for the books, man!
Where do you go and what do you do to be yourself?
I hang out at Cubao X, B-Side at The Collective on regulars. I love places for free-spirited people. People-watching is fun! We run this gig called “Panty Monsters” where everybody on the dance floor gets crazy wild. I would never want a bar that tells you to dress in one way. It’s more interesting that way.
Where do you go and what do you do to be someone else?
I guess I’ve always been myself. As the cliché goes: “The clothes don’t make the man.” People laugh at Paris Hilton and think she’s a dumb blonde walking around. Truth is, she wouldn’t have gotten that far if she were just a dumb blonde.
RCXY
Who are you in this photo?
My costume is called Nightmare and made of different ghastly-faced rubber masks.
What’s the freakiest thing you’ve experienced?
It’s this thing called life. You just never know what’s gonna happen next. Add to that the colorful characters I surround myself with called friends and family. And oh, being 30 years old. I don’t know if this is freaky good or freaky bad yet, but so far, it’s pretty much freaking me out — not exactly in a hysterical manner but it helps me feel alive. Some people pay to bungee jump just to feel this way and all I have to do is to wake up every morning.
How freaky do you get?
I haven’t done anything freaky that I know of. If there were a few, I was probably drunk and I must’ve blacked out. If you found some photos on Facebook, that probably wasn’t me. Although I’ve worn my hair blonde, blue and now orange which my mom would definitely frown upon, I’ve worn the worst and the best (IMO) I could ever afford. I did the most embarrassing, scariest, unprintable stupid thing a person could do. What else would surprise me? Every day is a chance to outdo myself, so tomorrow, I might be doing the freakiest thing ever.
Where do you go and what do you do to be yourself?
I don’t really need to go somewhere to be myself. I’m not a big celebrity who needs to hide from the public’s prying eyes if I want to chill. Instead of going someplace else, I try to find my center instead. Once you found your center, it dictates where you will go and what you are about to do. Hence, you bring yourself to the place that makes it more special. Not really. When I wake up in the morning with a name “RCXY,” who else do I want to be? All this makeup and this pile of clothes I put on is an extension of my self and not a means to cover up and hide what’s in there. I place great value on keeping myself as real — glazed, of course — as possible, with a fantasy of how I would want to keep my memory visually appealing. Like when I look back years from now, I would be playing a well-costumed movie in my mind and not a Bridges of Madison County kind of thing. It also gives me comfort that I am surrounded by like-minded individuals who appreciate their own individuality and share the same alternate reality.
Where do you go and what do you do to be someone else?
The only time I enjoy being someone else is during Halloween and I go to as many parties as I can around town. Other than that special day, I try to avoid going to anywhere where I am obliged to be someone I’m not. It’s so uncomfortable and I’m bad at faking it. It’s hard enough that I haven’t figured myself out yet, more so acting like someone I haven’t been.
SHAHANI GANIA
Who are you in this photo?
It’s open to anyone’s interpretation. Bahala na sila.
What’s the freakiest thing you’ve experienced?
Recently, being told that I got five shades darker because of taping in Batangas for Beauty Queen. I really freaked out. Mahirap kayang magpaputi.
How freaky do you get?
I don’t think I’d do anything freaky. If there are people who are freaked out by certain things I do, kanya-kanyang interpretation lang ‘yan. Walang basagan ng trip.
Where do you go and what do you do to be yourself? Where do you go and what do you do to be someone else?
I don’t usually go out. But when I do, it’s always with my friends and those who understand my nature. With them, I can be myself... Those who don’t understand are usually entertained or amused.
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