Hair Asia’s Salon Spectacular

MANILA, Philippines - Mindful of the recent devastation by Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas, Hair Asia went on a green campaign during its Salon Spectacular 2013. From a greenhouse-inspired stage design, to a green Yamaha motorbike for a grand prize, to a stirring opening billboard on global warming, Hair Asia’s environmental advocacy was the affair’s highlight.

The event was attended by hundreds of the country’s up-and-coming hairdressers, all vying for the coveted title of Hair Asia Grand Champion. The affair also brought together several of the “who’s who” of the local salon professional industry to make up the jury. Spotted were Patrick Rosas, Bambbi Fuentes, Jude Hipolito, Rose Velasco, Louie Philipp Kee, Angelo Justin, Maya Jones and James Cooper. Cooper also co-hosted the event with Hair Asia president Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz. Even top hairstylists from the international scene were in attendance to serve as judges such as Peter Hartley of the US, and Shun and Akira of Japan.

Ambassadors from the event’s major sponsors — L’Oréal, Wella, Cynos and Brazilian Blowout — also took some stage time for a meet-and-greet with the audience. L’Oréal Philippines’ Professional product division GM, John Phillip Thomason, and Brazilian Blowout’s international educator, Michelle Cochran graced the podium to invite everyone to their product demonstrations over at the satellite stages.

Wella, on the other hand, featured international artists Joseph and Grant of Brunei in a brief presentation of their latest coloring product —  Illumina, and a hair show headlined by the artistic team of famed Korean salon, BANGS Tony and Jackey, led by UEssence chairman Peter Wong.

Cynos Ambassador, Alex Carbonell, also gave a hair show with one clear message: In a virus-riddled world, it doesn’t hurt to have fierce hair while keeping the zombies at bay. Carbonell was later joined by fellow Cynos ambassadors Hans Olivar and Tinette Puyat, and Cynos GM Rose Ramos-Cinco.

The day, however, was still all about the competition among hundreds of hairdressers. At stake were a green Yamaha Mio Soul i (EFI) 115cc motorcycle, plus  the bragging rights as Hair Asia grand champion.

Winning the top spot in the first category of the day, Ladies Creative Color & Haircut was Caviteño Noel Pomuceno. His creation, lauded by Japanese hair guru, Shun, for its amazing shape, and by Louie Kee for its beautiful color and precise cut, garnered him a total of 54 points from the judges. Rian Gonzalez of Quezon City took the first runner-up position with 30 points for his edgy black and blonde creation, while Juliana Isidro took the third spot with 25 points for her punk-meets-urban jungle red and black mohawk entry.

Rem Miguel of the Sir George Salon ruled in the Gents’ Creative Color and Cut category with 47 points. His dapper moss-and-green creation impressed the judges for its clean and precise lines. Ian Salgado placed second with 30 points for his black-and-white faux hawk design. Meanwhile, Richard Ramos of Valenzuela claimed the third spot with 18 points for another black-and-white entry.

The final category was the Progressive Evening Hairstyle and Makeup Category. After a lengthy and difficult judging process by the panel, John Cliff Dima-ala emerged as the highest scoring competitor with 31 points for his flawless workmanship on his statuesque morena model. Following closely were Kean Diti with 28 points as first runner-up and Justine Diamante with 26 points as second runner-up.