Everything That Happened Inside the First-Ever Preview Creatives' Night

The space at Newport’s Grand Bar and Lounge was transformed with raw textures and an industrial finish, styled by Preview Creative 25 2024 honoree Paul Jatayna of Tangerine Projects.

Inside, Manila Craft cocktails were served throughout the night, while copies of Preview Daily made their way across tables early on, after guests stopped by the kiosk-slash-photobooth designed by Justine Arcega-Bumanlag. The newspaper-style print edition featured this year’s Preview Creative 25 and the inaugural Hall of Fame awardees.

Opening the program, Editor-in-Chief Marj Ramos-Clemente addressed a room filled with collaborators, many of whom have worked with the brand across different points in its 31-year run. “Tonight, I see a lot of familiar faces—a lot of friends—who often work behind the scenes,” she said.

She also spoke about the less visible side of the industry and what keeps people in it, pointing to “the love for the craft” that runs through it all. “Tonight is about community. The community we love, the community we share, the community we continuously build—brick by brick.”

This year’s batch of Preview Creative 25 was presented next, highlighting individuals across fashion, beauty, visual arts, gastronomy, music, and beyond.

A special Cream Silk segment followed, anchored on one of Preview’s April covers. Summit Media executives and the Cream Silk team were joined onstage by cover stars Marina Summers and Lierge Perey for a moment of recognition.

The reveal of the Preview Hall of Fame capped off the program, marking a new way to recognize creatives whose work has shaped Filipino visual culture over time—many of whom have also grown alongside Preview itself.

First to be honored was Jing Monis, recognized for decades of work in hair and makeup across editorial and runway, including Preview’s maiden 1995 cover with Tweetie de Leon. In his speech, he recalled going against prevailing trends early in his career.

“Thirty-two years ago, when I started my career as a makeup artist and hairstylist, not many people believed in me. But I believed in my dreams and my vision,” he began, thanking Summit Media’s editor-at-large and Preview founding fashion editor Myrza Sison for her trust. “That belief helped me land my first cover for Preview magazine and opened doors to many opportunities here and abroad.”

That early support, he shared, helped set the direction for what followed. “So to all aspiring makeup artists and hairstylists, don’t let criticism affect you,” he continued. “Use it as your weapon to become a better person and to inspire others, too.”

Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran followed, recognized for a multidisciplinary practice spanning interiors, events, and production design, such as her work for the first-ever Preview Ball.

Looking back on two decades of work, she spoke about saying yes to opportunities early on and how that instinct shaped her path. “Being a creative doesn’t mean that you stay in one lane,” she said. “Preview helped me realize that all these design disciplines I love intersect one way or another, and that’s a unique voice I was able to embrace throughout my work.”

Photographer BJ Pascual was also honored for his long-standing collaboration with the brand over the years—from shooting Preview’s first digital-only cover in 2018 to lensing its 30th anniversary Vol. 1 book, both with Anne Curtis.

Closing the Hall of Fame segment was stylist Liz Uy, whose own story with Preview began in the editorial ranks before growing into one of the most defining careers in local styling.