Tess Prieto – Valdes (Photo by Matt Pingkian)
The driver of the Mercedez Benz who chauffeured Tessa Prieto-Valdes from the airport to the resort was assured that it would be impossible not to recognize her even at the congested arrival bay.
Why?
One, it’s considered a universal truth that among the hundred scheduled to deplane at the same hour, she would be the only passenger who could wear a tall headdresses on the aircraft.
On this particular trip from Manila to Cebu in midOctober, she disembarked as promised.
Tessa wore an oversized butterfly headband that fluttered, almost rehearsed, in synchronicity with her movements. That should state the obvious, too:
It had the twin creature printed on her shift dress.
“I think whenever I go out, I’m 20 kilos heavier with all these aksesoryas,” she laughs. “People think I’m a singer—which I love—but no way.”
Even if it was only a fly-in fly-out engagement to film an episode of “The Stylist, Inc.” airing on E! Asia in November, there was not a scarcity of fashion extravaganza.
Her favorite wardrobe stylist and close friend Rex Atienza is starring in it, so in support, she graced the show for the opening of season two shot at the Mövenpick Hotel and Resort in Mactan.
Two, most likely, other passengers would crowd around her for a selfie. “Fame is something that is relative.”
It’s funny that people still remember me, parang they tell me, ‘binoto kita’,” she said, referring to the voting format of the singing contest “Celebrity Duets” on GMA 7 that she participated in about a decade ago. Her baptism of fire in show business was a rare epiphany.
To boot, she’s a socialite who successfully crossed the divide between elites and the masses.
Like a celebrity who has profound bankability, she has multifaceted offers up in her puff sleeves.
Endorsements poured in: Luxe by Goldilocks, Watsons, Sun Life, and the HSBC credit card. Her current show “Philippine Realty TV” on ANC fits her occupation as an interior designer, apart from maintaining her society column “Tessa!” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
And lastly, the seduction. The seduction isn’t in putting it all off—it’s in putting it all on. You defy fashion styling rules and the fashion community nods in approval. I know. More is more.
What’s the piece of fashion you cannot live without?
A padded bra (laughs). And my headdresses, of course. False lashes, necklaces, earrings, whatever… I can’t decide. I think whenever I go out, I’m 20 kilos heavier with all these aksesoryas.
Tell us more about your mode of dressing.
People always ask me “Why don’t you just give away the money instead of dressing up?” I do stuff not to satisfy other people. I have detractors saying that I’m rich and I know nothing about the plight of the poor. I am not doing stuff to show off, or to prove that I’m worthy of other people’s admiration. I really don’t mind. I dress like this not to make you happy, but to make me happy. But I am not going to say to the next person, “Oh, you’re so plain.” With the passing of my brother, I realized you’re only answerable to God. I dress up like this because I am me. No need for an explanation.
What is your Halloween costume this year?
T-shirt and jeans. The horror of being plain!
Did you dress up this way when you were in your teens?
My style evolved right after my brother’s (motorcycle) accident. I was a conformist back then. I lived through the punk era… like all-black grunge. I started with this flamboyant, crazy look just before I met Dennis (her husband). That year was crazy— 1993, the year my brother died, and the year I met Dennis. So they didn’t know each other. In 1994, I got married. I want to think that my brother saved me. You value something you didn’t know was precious. Di ba you can go along, do your own stuff and not make a difference in the world? He left too soon… he wasn’t sick. I realized that your life can be taken away anytime. It’s better to get your act together and do something.
How do close friends and family respond to your fashion statements?
People ask me “When are you going to stop?” I don’t know. When will the sun stop shining? My husband of more than 20 years never expected this. I’ve to say that to be married to me, he has to be confident in himself. I mean, we get along because we have different interests as well. He never suppresses me in what I do. Well, he tried once. He said: I can’t believe you’re wearing that—you go change. I didn’t talk to him for three days. After that, he knows na. You can bar me from doing other stuff, but not from expressing myself in the way I dress.
Is red your favorite color?
No. It’s actually pink. But you know, red is the color for prosperity.
You are a frequent visitor in Cebu. Do you have a business here?
A lot of my favorite designers are Cebuanos. I love Philipp Tampus, Jun Escario, Mark Tenchavez —he makes all my shoes and crowns—and Ronald Enrico, who used to write for Cebu Daily News. That was how I first met him. Cary Santiago is another favorite. I swear, the intensity of creativity here in Cebu is world-class. I mean, even all my accessories are from Cebu. I am an interior designer, and I get a lot of my supplies and inspiration here —from Kenneth (Cobonpue) and Vito (Selma). I think Cebu is the hub of all that’s fashion.
You are probably the only society girl that’s able to cross over to showbiz. How do you feel about that?
I know my singing career —toss, toss, and all. I am uniquely myself. They ask me: Can you describe yourself in one word? I can’t. I am passionate about life. My brother passed away when he was only 33. It has been more than 20 years ago. If you have some life-changing experience like that… or when you experience something like that, you realize that: First, life is so short.
Second, you don’t know when is your time to go. You assess your priorities. You value your life more. You want to… sort of change the world and make it a better place. In the beginning, you want to do so much, and sometimes you feel that whatever you do is not changing anything. You can’t really stop global warming or you can’t really help everybody rise from poverty. But I feel… with one small step at a time, somehow it causes a ripple effect.
Were you culture-shocked with the fame you have now?
Fame is something that is relative, meaning, I have not had a show in a long time. I come out on ANC for “Philippine Reality TV.” It’s something related to me as an interior designer. But until today, people don’t really say: “I’ve seen you on TV.” Unlike that show on GMA, “Celebrity Duets”… it’s funny that people still remember, parang they tell me, “Binoto kita.” That really touched me. Some people would come up to me for a picture and I’m super fine with it. People think I’m a singer —which I love—but no way. I tell them, if you’re feeling sad and blue, go to YouTube and check out my name. You’d have a good laugh. I’m singing on national TV with the worst voice!
You are also a famous philanthropist. The recently concluded charity fund you chaired has grown into an organization. Tell us about that.
The annual gala for fashion is called Red Charity Gala. It started off with philanthropist Kaye Tinga eight years ago. I had a similar concept with
Rajo Laurel, and he did a fashion show for the benefit of the Red Cross. The next year, my sister said—why don’t we have the same concept of fashion, charity, and dinner, and invite table donors and sponsors to promote Philippine fashion for a cause. I didn’t want to do it on my own because it was really hard to get sponsors at that time.
She suggested Dennis Lustico. Dennis said I had a partner, Kaye Tinga, who has a lot of rich Chinese friends. We got Ariel Lozada on board as our creative director. He did the creatives of putting a fashion show. We decided to donate not just to Red Cross but to my Assumption Batch ‘81 housing projects in Samar. From this, we have 40 homes already, and we want to add 20 more homes each year. It’s primarily in support of Philippine fashion. After Dennis Lustico, we had Furne One, Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, and then Cary Santiago, Jojie Lloren, and Lesley Mobo. We had the largest support this year. Prior to that, we also have an auction of the dresses. I think we’ve established our name; it’s a credible charity. It really helps. The biggest funds we’ve raised were for the victims of typhoon Yolanda because people gave more. I’m happy that we have become an instrument. I keep telling them it’s good karma. I am just happy that even sponsors are pleased with it. We’ve built a brand name out of it.
Tess Prieto – Valdes (Photo by Matt Pingkian)
What do you think is your life purpose?
You can just sit and do nothing. But I choose to share my passion for life. I’ve just met the Dalai Lama this year—oh, my God. I’ve been enlightened. But I’m still materialistic. I had a four-day journey. I even touched his hand. He brought up a point that is universal:
It does not matter what religion you belong because in the end, it’s love and compassion that matters, and everything stems out from there… forgiveness, kindness. Ah, parang in the end, it’s your karma or destiny that you create. That’s why the Buddhists… they think about karma. They do good because they want good karma in their next life. They pass it on. So I think that people who are presently challenged… they feel that their past karma is haunting them. For the ones who are okay or blessed, they need to carry on.
What’s your contribution to Philippine fashion?
I love it because I’m now a pillar of all these young designers who are like —“please wear me.” I love it kasi di na sila poor dahil mayaman na sila sa dami ng aking binibili. (Laughs) Of course, I pay. I am the only one in this world who has a tutu supplier, a crown supplier, a shoe supplier. They get excited when I wear their designs or when I collaborate with them. Think about all these designers who do debuts, weddings, whatever. They cannot create something different for their clients. For them, they can do anything with me—no holds barred, except mga boob exposures. They can really create something original because I really help them.
How do you stay fit?
Every Friday, I do a run. I try to create a balance. People think it can’t be done because I do so much. I believe you can create a natural
balance… there’s family; there’s exercise. It’s really hard to juggle all that, but you can. I don’t diet. It’s just about moderation. I’m doing less as far as strenuous exercise for three years now. I’ve done Iron Man in Cebu. I’ve done it three times. Sometimes, I run. Sometimes, I bike. I really don’t mind about the time. In the end, it’s crossing the line that matters. In fact, one of them said, I’m the most mabango, when I cross the line. They don’t know that just before the last kilometer, I have someone ready with my spritzer, lipstick, makeup, and everything.
You’re an instant barometer for anything sosyal. How do you feel about that?
It’s funny that I do not know which image I project. It’s not the sosyal life that I strive for because this is just how I am. So when you realize that people are looking at me that way… I don’t like to brand myself as like that—some “flighty” girl who does nothing but party.
What’s baduy to you?
Oh, my God. Let me think. There’s nothing really baduy for me… Okay, if you’re trying to be who you are not—that for me is baduy. Baduy is an
image of trying too hard, being someone that’s not really you. I’m not a stickler for fashion or brands. I’m so not into designer bags. Even all my evening looks are local.
What’s a social climber?
Thank God there’s not a lot because they know I don’t entertain them. A social climber for me is someone who wants a photo taken with me and demands to come out in my column just to be seen. Sometimes they send photos and ask me to put them out in my column. It feels so bad. Firstly, nag-gatecrash ka na nga and they want to be seen pa. You’re baduy if you’re a social climber.
When will you stop?
I’m not going to stop. I’m going to evolve into something else. The future… something I want to do more is help the Ballet Philippines and show more support for cultural arts. But the most challenging for me is the Tanghalang Pilipino. I sit there in the board, but oh my God… It is hard to get a younger, broader audience.
