Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad celebrates 'lonely birthday'

Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad 

celebrates 'lonely birthday'

No roses, no candles, no cotillion. None of such traditional practices when a woman spends her 50th "debut," her celebration of   achievement and the blessing to start new venture of life. 

Fashion designer Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad turned 50 last Sunday (May 9) and, as she told VRS weeks ago, “I’m having a grand party. Please come."

Initially, Aileen wanted to celebrate her special day with an Oscar-themed party. But had to scrap it due to the pandemic. Plan B was to celebrate with a handful family friends. 

She ended up celebrating with her family...at home.

Aileeen is a descendant of Francisco Sendrijas, better known as "Francisco Dagohoy," a significant historical figure in Bohol. 

She was born in Inabanga town, but love brought her to Bilar town as the wife of  Zosimo Pasagad, a seafarer. 

Family: where love emanates. Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad with daughter Jesseth and sons Jairus and Josh.

Their union produced three offsprings: daughter Jesseth Nez, a petroleum engineer who was Miss Bohol 2018 3rd Runner-up and is now the Operations Engineer at the Malampaya Offshore Platform of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., and sons- Jairus Zim and Josh Ron Zimon, still students.

Aileen started designing gowns for her dear daughter when she joined beauty pageants and eventually decided to make designing a full-time business that is the "Aileen Pasagad Couture", after taking a short course at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) - Cebu. 

From having highly-satisfied clients, she is now the fastest-rising designer in Bohol.

This year 2021 would have been her most meaningful as she was excitedly looking forward to her 50th birthday celebration, with preparations made to make it special and memorable.

It took time for the family to step back and assess the situation since recently, Bohol has been having a sudden surge in the COVID-19 positive cases, with 50% coming from Tagbilaran, with the number expected to rise, especially with the coming month-long fiesta season in Bohol. 

Considering that Tagbilaran City has become the COVID hotspot in the province, the family decided that organizing a birthday celebration in this crucial time is a careless and insensitive move and in case a guest tests positive, attendees will all be close contacts, resulting to the crippling of the local fashion and events industry, as people would be required to undergo quarantine. 

What would have been an “Oscar’s Night”-inspired party showcasing the glamor of Hollywood last May 9 was cancelled as a responsible decision for the health and safety of everyone. But it didn’t stop the family from having an intimate gathering attended by family and close associates that will be an offshoot to the grand 50+1 celebration next year, God willing.

Aileen found a “new family” in the Bohol Designers’ Circle (BDC) with Ladoi Aquino, Christian Bustrillos, Christian Relator, Bebei Tagoctoc, Ryan Sadudaquil, Nikki Simporios, Kim Villamor, and Charlowe Arbasto.

What is her ultimate 50th birthday wish? 

"I wish the COVID-19 pandemic to finally end, so we can all reconnect with our loved ones and share meals with friends without fear of getting sick," she said. 

What is her plan for the next years? 

"I also wish to stay healthy in the next years of my life, so I can continue to support my children in their dreams and see them grow into successful adults. Having a healthy mind and body will also allow me to run my business more passionately," Aileen said. 

"Lastly, I wish that I can continue to provide my clients with the best service," she added. 

 

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Wake-upper:

Scene: Donald John Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States last Tuesday in a stunning culmination of an explosive, populist and polarizing campaign. On Election Night, however, Trump’s star became the site of a victory party. Supporters gathered at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, chanting “U-S-A!” and wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. The star had been defaced several times over the course of the election.

***

The story of hair and beauty guru Bebei Tagoctoc is a ‘hairy’ kind of success story at all.

Bebei Tagoctoc is known as the "Mother of All Hair 

and Make-up Artists in Bohol" who

 started as utility boy at a small beauty parlor 

and working his way to the top. Contributed Photo

Bebei, the "Mother of All Hair and Make-up Artists in Bohol," started as utility boy at a small beauty parlor (called Blue Petals) inside the old BQ Mall, working his way to the top.

"At 15, I dropped out at school," recalled Bebei.  “I am a firm believer of education, but I had to stop from my studies because of poverty.”

It was at the Blue Petals’ beauty parlor where Bebei’s talents was enhanced and developed.  He decided to apprentice in that Blue Petals where he started as a mere parlor sweeper, then eventually became a manicurista, a neophyte hairdresser and a make-up artist.

In 1987, Bebei opened his salon on CPG Avenue, consisting of a wall mirror, a shampoo chair, a bowl, and a dryer. It wasn’t much, but to Bebei it meant everything, as it was something he could call his own. It was Jun Quimpan, Bebei’s partner, who encouraged and helped him to establish his own salon.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, Bebei’s salon transferred to Lambert’s Building along Ma. Clara Street, then finally settled at K of C Drive.  However, his loyal clients continue to hire his services.

Twenty-nine years later, Bebei has become an institution in his own right, sought-after by the clients, mostly the who’s who in Tagbilaran, who submit themselves wholeheartedly to his "magic touch" which sometimes transforms them into completely new and different personalities, beautiful inside and out.

Name a who’s who and a star and Bebei has touched her:  Christine Hermosa, Piolo Pascual, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Jericho Rosales, Philippine top models, when they came to Bohol.  Bebei was tasked to touch their delicate faces.  In 2005, when Miss Earth candidates came to Bohol, Bebei was hired as the official make-up artist.

Bebei said he has never snubbed a client since he knew how to deal clients with tantrums.

“As possible, I please them,” he said.

Coming out

Bebei starts his day very early by praying. Then, he does prepare for the salon at K of C Drive.

Bebei Tagoctoc has become an institution in 

his own right that clients like couple Harold and 

Agnes Jesuro trust Couple Harold and Agnes Jesuro 

seeks Bebei’s Hair and Make-up and Rental Packages

 for their wedding last June. Contributed Photo

Everyday is a busy day. If he’s not at his salon, he’s somewhere else doing home service for a bride and her entourage. He also designs gowns.

Bebei was one of a handful few “bayots” in the city who came out in early ‘60s.  He said “coming out” in those years was a suicide.

Even as a kid, Bebei knew he was gay. He would draw faces, figures and fashion designs on his notebooks.  He liked dolls.

“It was something a near to death experience when you were coming out. It was a moment to see if society accepts my true identity or not,” he shared.

Bebei has experienced different layers of discrimination throughout his life- for his sexuality. Each time, he shrugs it off.

“I let them go,” he said, “I am not the one who is kawawa. I know myself.”

He said being a Marian devotee has helped him to conquer obstacles in life. He owns a Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrow) statue after he was inspired during his many visits at the St. Joseph Cathedral. The statue of the Mater Dolorosa at the Cathedral was donated by the late Charing Dejaresco.

“I like the Dolorosa’s teary-eyed and I felt her love for me,” he said.

Bebei’s life story was featured on GMA’s Jessica Soho Reports. It was no less than multi-awarded journalist Jessica Soho called Bebei as “Ricky Reyes of Bohol.”

‘Mothering’

Bebei spends much of his time “mothering” to other “bayots” who asked his help. Even Lamok, who once dubbed the “Beautiful Boxer”, could testify Bebei’s good heart. It was Bebei who adopted him when he was down.

As of this year, Bebei has two adopted “badings”. He may not have completed his education but he is sending them to college.

President-elect Donald Trump’s star, which 

had been defaced several times over 

the course of the election, becomes

 the site of a victory party. 

Supporters gathered at his star on

 the Hollywood Walk of Fame, chanting 

“U-S-A!” and wearing “Make America Great Again”

 hats. Your VRS’s 2015 photo at the star 

of the 45^th president of USA. 

“I told them to finish school for a bright future,” he said.

Bebei said he has no plan to stop working, not yet.

“I don’t have any plans to stop working, or to stop helping,” he said.  “I love what I am doing with the love of the people.”

Come to think of it, if he were not a hair and make-up artist, what would he have been?

"A teacher," said Bebei. "I love to teach."

But with what he’s doing, Bebei has more than achieved that dream.

***

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