What fashion will be like in 2025, according to today's movers and shakers

From eco-conscious movements and different takes on femininity to what’s next for menswear, here’s what the experts think we will be wearing this year

BY JOHN LEGASPI

Jan 5, 2025 09:51 PM 

Bessie Besana and a piece from his "Whispers of the Cosmos" collection

For the past couple of seasons, we have seen a dominance of classic colors and pieces in womenswear. I personally feel that in 2025, buyers will start to invest in key pieces with statement elements to add a pop to their pulled-back wardrobes. Statement bags and accessories will also make a comeback.—Bessie Besana, fashion designer

Jenni Contreras and a piece from Gucci's spring-summer 2025 collection

Looking ahead to 2025, I believe we’ll see a shift toward embracing “Main Villain Energy”—a celebration of female rage and empowerment. Think Mia Goth in Pearl or Margaret Qualley in The Substance. While feminine elements will still be present, they’ll be infused with a darker, more intense edge, creating an intriguing contrast. When I think of female rage, the color red instantly comes to mind, so I expect to see more of it in 2025, replacing the pinks of last year. In terms of textures and silhouettes, I foresee a mix of delicate, light materials paired with structured, sharp lines, capturing the tension between softness and power. It’s all about the collision of vulnerability and strength, a visual reflection of the complexities of modern womanhood.—Jenni Contreras, fashion designer

Shoes and jewelry

Maco Custodio and his Lalapatos creation

Footwear designs for 2025 blend intrinsic advancements, such as personalization, color trends, retro-futurism, and collaborative aesthetics, with extrinsic trends focused on inclusivity and sustainability. With up to 22 billion shoes ending up in landfills annually, eco-conscious consumers are demanding gender-neutral designs and environmentally responsible practices, making inclusivity and sustainability essential for the industry's future.—Maco Custodio, shoe designer

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Kat Reyes and her Pura Basura earrings

I feel like we’re heading into a resurgence of punk, grunge, and a handmade, DIY aesthetic. We’ve already been primed by bag charms and “anik-anik,” and we’ve seen our favorite P-pop stars like Bini and Maki serve visually interesting outfits with their unique mix of accessories. I think it’s cool to collect little things you like—even if they’re not popular—and use them to personalize your look. I’m talking about found objects like safety pins or everyday hardware used as accessories, or wearing necklaces in unconventional ways, like on your hair or shoes. It won’t just be for maximalists. A statement bag or quirky ring that you love can showcase your personality and make a minimalist outfit more impactful. The paradox of fashion is that the more you lean into your individuality, the faster you’ll find your community.—Kat Reyes, accessories designer behind Elementari

Kristine Dee and her Taylor earrings

Fine jewelry that showcases unparalleled design, style, and craftsmanship will dominate. It’s about the experience of wearing something unique—not mass-produced in a commercial run of 500 pieces and seen on everyone else. Jewelry enthusiasts who appreciate and understand this distinction will set themselves apart. In 2025 and beyond, it’s about showcasing your individuality and refined taste by choosing pieces that resonate with you. It could be a particular gem, a uniquely colored stone, exceptional craftsmanship, or a thoughtfully designed piece that reflects your personal style.—Kristine Dee, jewelry designer

Menswear

RJ Santos and a Randolf Clothing piece

I think menswear in the Philippines in 2025 will become more explorative. I see many men experimenting more with their fashion choices, and I believe this year will be all about discovering what works best for each individual.—RJ Santos, fashion designer behind Randolf Clothing

Vin Orias and fresh take on menswear clothing and accessories

Menswear techniques and tailored styling will continue to thrive in 2025. Structured silhouettes will play a key role in fashion this year. There will be a significant shift, however, toward a more active and conscious lifestyle (e.g., the rise of activewear) and more experimental fashion, such as prints and layering. While the market will still favor classic and classy pieces to complement a more 'sustainable' lifestyle, more people are gravitating toward unique, slow-fashion items. These pieces may be pricey for beginners, but they are valued for their “exclusivity” and the conversations they spark—representing the new definition of “luxury.”—Vin Orias, fashion designer 

Trends and beyond

Myrrh Lao To and a piece from Prada's spring-summer 2025 collection

Suede is a standout trend in 2025, offering a vintage-meets-modern vibe with its soft texture and boho-chic appeal. From fringed jackets and tailored trousers to statement bags and boots, suede is being reimagined in both earthy tones and bold hues. This year, sustainable and faux suede options are also gaining popularity, aligning with the growing eco-conscious fashion movement.—Myrrh Lao To, stylist

Cheetah Rivera and her custom terno piece

I feel like people are fully realizing their individuality and sense of style. This is the time for individuals to embrace themselves completely and dress in a way that gives them a certain “cool,” that distinctive “vibe,” or a sense of ease and freedom in self-expression and fashion. Minimal or maximal? Whichever direction you choose, fashion is so inclusive that you can go bold or keep it understated. I truly feel this is a season of self-expression.—Cheetah Rivera, fashion designer

Zarah Juan and her bag creations

I envision that fashion accessories in 2025 and beyond will connect deeply with our hearts, inspired by the everyday moments that shape who we are. Rather than following trends, these accessories will celebrate the beauty of all shapes and colors of life. They will express our individuality and reflect the experiences that unite us, creating a meaningful connection to our personal journeys.—Zarah Juan, accessories designer

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Rihanna shuts down a troll who insulted her on social media

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jan 5, 2025 08:45 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Barbadian musician has not released an album since 2016's Anti, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

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Rihanna (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Pop superstar Rihanna responded to a troll who demanded new music and insulted her on Instagram on Jan. 1.

According to billboard.com, the exchange went down on Ri’s latest post, a video she filmed of herself celebrating with friends as the clock ticked down to midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Rihanna excitedly told the camera in the clip: "Y'all, I didn’t drink all year. I didn't drink all year." She captioned her post: "New year, new me."

A netizen wrote in the comments section: “We want an album forehead."

The “Umbrella” singer quickly shut him down. She replied: “Listen, Lorenzo! You ain’t cute enough to be calling me by my black name you dizzy f–k!” 

The Barbadian musician has not released an album since 2016's Anti, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. 

Since then, Rihanna has appeared on a few remixes and contributed “Born Again” and “Lift Me Up” to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

Rihanna has hinted for years that a new LP is coming, but fans have learned to take her updates with caution, billboard.com reported.

Bravo, ‘Before Brabant’: A new operatic form

 

BY ANTONIO C. HILA

JANUARY 6, 2025

Tenor Ervin Lumauag, baritone Park Byeong-in, mezzo-soprano Andion Fernandez-Ching, and soprano Stefanie Quintin —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

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Anew operatic form, whose action is expressed through animation rather than acting done on stage by the main characters, was recently savored by Manila’s music lovers at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater as part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) celebration of the Children’s Biennale in 2024.

It is a novelty that combines the live performance of singers on stage in collaboration with a symphony orchestra and animation, complete with texts projected on the screen. Written by the indefatigable composer Jeffrey Ching, this year’s Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s (PPO) composer in residence, the opera “Before Brabant” is based on a European folklore that tells about medieval romance and chivalry.

In an introductory note the composer himself delivered in lieu of program notes, he narrated what to expect in the four scenes that made up the entire opera. Central to his narration is the information about the title itself: the story of Helyas, the “knight of the Swan,” the main protagonist, who sailed on a “shell-shaped boat” to the city of Brabant, where another opera was written to tell about Helyas’ new adventures. Richard Wagner, of course, wrote about this new adventure in his opera “Lohengrin.”

Composer Jeffrey Ching

Prequel

Ching’s opera, therefore, is aptly titled “Before Brabant,” a fitting “prequel” to the Wagner opera.

Ching further informed the audience that a decade ago, this opera was performed in Hong Kong, as a commissioned work by the Hong Kong Arts Festival. But the performance centered only on the music, with only the orchestra and the singers on stage.

This performance in Manila is therefore a historical feat, as it is presented in its entirety, as a “cartoon opera.” Drawing inspiration from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” it blended an animated cartoon projected on screen with serious music performed live by a symphony orchestra, together with classical singers who sang as animated action unfolded on the screen.

Making up the cast were soprano Stefanie Quintin as Queen Beatrice; mezzo soprano Andion Fernandez-Ching as the midwife, who later on sang the heroic role of Helyas; baritone Byeong-in Park as King Oryant and Markes; and Ervin Lumauag as Eremite and Matabrune. They stood before Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, who led the PPO.

Mezzo Soprano Andion Fernandez-Ching

Armed with scores, these singers more than read their lines as they sang with great enthusiasm and energy their specific parts, which completely departed from the operatic lines they used to sing, Ching’s music being scored in a contemporary vein.

The singers displayed the rich texture of their voices, honed to sing challenging operatic roles. Soprano Quintin’s voice soared with vibrant sheen. Tenor Lumauag, on the other hand, hurdled his demanding roles with versatile ease. Park was impeccable with his brilliant baritone, and Fernandez-Ching shimmered in her earthy mezzo that she fully revealed as she sang Helyas’ heroism in a latter scene.

All of them convincing, they brilliantly essayed their roles, which departed from the strains of bel canto operatic roles they are more familiar with. They all sang with a commanding projection, rising above the orchestra to be appreciated. Above them, the animation took place, so dynamic and debonair. One does not have to be a child to appreciate its appealing charm. The projected texts also helped in the easy understanding of the action going on.

Mexican animator

It is through the singular talent of the Mexican animator, Alberto Chino Rodriguez, director of Toon City Manila, that this new form in operatic presentation was realized. One’s attention was glued to the screen as the action was presented in cartoon form, reminding one of Walt Disney, with, however, different music being heard, not culled from the pens of known classical composers, but original music composed in a new form and style.

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Director Alberto Chino Rodriguez (2nd, L) and Maestro Grzegorz Nowak (R)

The musicians of the PPO had a grand time playing the music and collaborating with the singers. Nowak stood on the podium with knowledgeable ease, conducting both the singers and the musicians with dynamic precision. He showed his versatility as he wielded the baton, savoring the intricacies of a different musical genre and new music, making him truly a giant on the podium.

The orchestra members not only enjoyed playing but even made some huffing or wheezing sounds, which they enjoyed doing.

Off stage, talking with Ching about this work was a great opportunity to congratulate him in person. Manila is privileged to watch the complete unfolding of this opera in its present form. This writer believes a repeat performance is in order before a bigger audience. This could very well be Manila’s contribution to the evolution of a new operatic form.

Ching acknowledged the help given by his “generous supporters,” which ensured the opera’s successful production. They are Milagros Ong How, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Miguel del Rosario and Rene de Guzman of Toon City Manila, and Dennis Marasigan of the CCP.

Bravo!

Jetzt kommt die Eisregen-Rutsche

Fahrzeuge sind bei starkem Schneefall auf einer Hauptverkehrsstraße unterwegs

Foto: Christian Charisius/dpa 

Peter

Amenda

05.01.2025 - 07:42 Uhr

Es schneit. Es friert. Und jetzt kommt der Eisregen. Es wird glatt! Deutschland muss sich ab der Nacht zum Sonntag auf gefrierenden Regen einstellen.

Warmfront bringt Glatteisgefahr

Zunächst falle Schnee, dann gehe dieser in gefrierenden Regen über, heißt es in einer Vorhersage des Deutschen Wetterdiensts (DWD). Eine aus dem Südwesten über das Land ziehende Warmfront bringe die Glatteisgefahr mit sich.

Die Wetterkarte zeigt für Sonntagmorgen Schnee (blaue Symbole), Regen (grüne Symbole) und Eisregen (rote Symbole)

Foto: (c) Donnerwetter.de  "Jetzt kommt Schnee und Eisregen. Achtung, morgen beim Brötchenholen im Westen und Süden verbreitet Glätte. Tagsüber mit der Rückreisewelle viel Schnee in ganz Deutschland“, sagt Klimatologe Dr. Karsten Brandt von Donnerwetter.de zu BILD.

Ersten Hinweisen nach wird die Glätte laut DWD wohl zwischen Schwarzwald, Bodensee und Bayerischem Wald am gefährlichsten. Der meiste Neuschnee sei am Südrand der westlichen Mittelgebirge zu erwarten, bis zu zehn Zentimeter könnten dort binnen weniger Stunden fallen. Andernorts sei mit zwei bis fünf Zentimetern zu rechnen.

München und Frankfurt streichen Flüge

Und das Winter-Wetter zieht nicht spurlos an den Flughäfen im Süden vorbei. Einige Flüge, die am Sonntagmorgen vom Münchner Flughafen starten sollten, wurden bereits gestrichen. Das betrifft insbesondere Inlandsflüge, aber auch Ziele in Österreich und in der Schweiz. Auch an den Flughäfen in Nürnberg und Memmingen fallen Flüge aus.

Am Flughafen Frankfurt wurden am Morgen bereits Flüge annulliert. Fluggäste werden auf der Homepage gebeten, mehr Zeit für die Anreise zum Flughafen einzuplanen und sich vorab über den Status ihrer Flüge zu informieren.

What do non-Filipinos like about the Philippines?

 

John Williams

Ordained District Elder, Speaker, Author, Bible Teacher

464 followers

59 following

John Williams, an Ordained Minister, a USAF Persian Gulf War Veteran, writer for more than twenty years, and published author. John has since published thirty books to date. After reading hundreds of books and living a challenging but amazing life, John has a lot of wisdom to share. John Williams Author

I have visited the Philippines four times. I have many friends that are Filipino. I love the weather, the beaches and some of the foods. Most of all, I love the Filipino people. They have such great spirits and are relentlessly resilient. The Philippines could be a fantastic country if they only knew the real power that they possess.

Many people say that the Philippines is a poor country. That is not true, but it is the lie they are continually being told, and unfortunately many believe it. In fact according to the International Monetary Fund, the Philippines rank number 38th in the world just below Singapore and above Columbia. Their ranking tops countries like Romania, Egypt, Vietnam, and Finland. Unfortunately, much of the wealth created there does not trickle down to the local economy. In my humble opinion, the government could do more to develop the infrastructure. They are already addressing the security concerns of the Mindanao area. These are important to attract more foreign business.

I see the Philippines as a diamond that is on the verge of becoming one of the most brilliant diamonds in Asia. They just need a little help. I am called there to do just that. Those of you who need an invitation to do something exciting and miraculous, here it is. The greatest natural resource of the Philippines are the amazing people. That is why I love going there.

Davao City logs 0 fireworks-related incidents during holiday season

BY IVY TEJANO

Jan 3, 2025 09:30 PM 

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao Fire District reported on Thursday, Jan.  2, zero fireworks-related incidents here during the holiday season.

FIRE Senior Insp.  Richard Quiboquibo speaks during a live broadcast of the Davao City Disaster Radio. (FB)

But Fire Senior Insp.  Richard Quiboquibo, chief of the BFP Fire Safety Enforcement Branch, said they recorded a fire incident on Dec. 27 that razed two houses and damaged two others and displaced families.

The BFP said electrical issues remain to be a leading cause of fires in communities while smoking-related incidents also contributed to fires here.

Quiboquibo advised the people to disconnect electrical appliances, ensure cooking gas tanks are turned off after cooking before leaving home, and exercise awareness when smoking.

Acting Davao City Police Office chief Police Col. Hansel Marantan said that Christmas and New Year here were generally peaceful.

Marantan said over 26,000 police personnel ensured the safety of events and gatherings during the month-long Pasko Fiesta celebration. 

He thanked DCPO personnel and the City Security and Safety Clusters for zero firecracker-related accidents.

“The combined efforts strengthened law enforcement measures and ensured seamless public safety operations across the city,” Marantan said.

Marantan said the city and law enforcement agencies are working hand-in-hand in implementing comprehensive anti-criminality strategies and public safety initiatives.