DUBAI: Batangas is known for a lot of things, having contributed cultural icons in the national psyche like kapeng barako (a strongly brewed coffee); bulalong Batangas, (stewed beef shank the preparations of which are unique to the province); and the balisong or fan knife popularized in the movies by action stars like the late Rudy “Da Boy” Fernandez and Ace Vergel, even Robin “Bad Boy” Padilla.
Jefferson Manalo Rivera of Tambo, Lipa City Batangas has his own niche: fashion.
Rivera was recently commissioned by a well-known jewelry company for its ad campaign which resulted to his work being splashed all across Dubai in billboards and what not.
“Proud to see my work at all big billboards around Dubai,” Rivera posted on his Facebook page along with pictures of the advertising materials.
“Ang daming make-up artists dito. As in super-dami po. Lalo yung mga ibang lahi,” he told The Filipino Times, recalling a major event by Dolce and Gabbana of which there were 40 make-up artists, only six of them, including himself, Filipinos.
He said there were about 60 models flown in from Europe for the event.
Having been in Dubai for the past 12 years, Rivera is a licensed dubai make-up artist and certified by the London College of Fashion.
“My work covers a wide range of clients – from those in e-commerce, private clients, weddings, ad campaigns, editorial photoshoots and also for some local designers,” said Manalo.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the fashion industry and I am inspired by great designers, some of whom I have had the privilege to work with,” he added.
Manalo said he is “very proud to be able to deliver this project” for jewelry company. “I enjoyed every moment. As a filipino, it’s an honor to be trusted with this responsibility,” he said.
Manalo’s advice to up and coming make-up artists? “Remain humble and grateful. No matter what you do, no matter how successful you are, no matter how lucky you are, never boast about being better than others. Because in the end, you are really just a branch.”
