Celebrity muses support esteemed hairstylists, makeup artists at the country’s grandest cosmetic fair
by Leony R. Garcia
Hairdressing professionals, salon business experts, esteemed makeup artists, along with their celebrity muses like Gretchen Barretto, Iza Calzado, Julie Anne San Jose, Tessa Prieto Valdez and Ina Raymundo; and beauty enthusiasts once again gathered together at Hair Asia’s 24th National Open Championship for hairstyling and makeup competition.
The event took place on March 3 at World Trade Center in Pasay City which also featured informative presentations, educational seminars and creative showcases from the nation’s leading hair and makeup artists.
For more than two decades, Hair Asia has been annually holding this prestigious event that assemble thousands of salon professionals to compete in various categories designed to keep the sector at par with global trends and technique. The level of competition that the organization maintains has not only drawn the best competitors from all over the country but, also, the attention of hairdressing personalities and organizations from all over the world.
For 2015, Hair Asia recognized the pillars of hairstyling who have shaped the landscape of the Philippine hair industry into what it is today—Philippine Salon Icon awardees James Cooper, Jesi Mendez, Teng Roma, and Tony Galvez; Outstanding Salon Professionals of the Philippines awardees Bambbi Fuentes, Victor Ortega, Pin Antonio, Jude Hipolito and Alex Carbonell; and Beauty Visionary recipient Patrick Rosas.
Beauty guru, hair expert and image consultant Tony Galvez personally came to accept the recognition bestowed upon him. Galvez, along with his posh salon and world-class standard cosmetology school, The Tony Galvez School of Cosmetology, also advocates for the licensing of cosmetology practitioners in the country.
Professional Regulatory and Licensing Board for Technical Vocational professions
Galvez is currently the President of the Technical and Vocational Schools of Quezon City, Vice President for Domestic Affairs and Public Relations for TEVSAPHIL (Technical Vocational Schools Association of the Philippines) NATIONAL, and Chairman TEVSAPHIL National Advocacy Committee. Tevsaphil is composed of private technical-vocational education and training (TVET) institutions that offer programs under the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and individual private institutions offering similar education and training programs.
He revealed that his group, TEVSAPHIL, has already laid down the ground for the licensing of workers and graduates of the tech-voc education.
“If Tech-Voc vocations are licensed, it will be more beneficial to the consumers/customers. We are all consumers. We should be protected while availing the services of tech-voc practitioners such as plumber, carpenter, welder, electrician, care-giver, cosmetologists and beauticians, to name a few,” according to Galvez.
“For example, in the beauty industry where I belong, we uphold to high standard of service. We ensure the safety and health of our clients as we use chemicals in our products such as makeup, hair and skin treatments. Kung may lisensiya, sobrang mag-iingat ang beauty practitioners na ‘wag magkamali dahil pwede siya matanggalan ng lisensiya!” he elaborated.
Most progressive countries give licensing to TechVoc professions, according to Galvez. “When you pass the board exams, you’ll be receiving a higher compensation and in doing so will give you that prestige. Thus, the stigma of Tech-Voc being ”baduy” and as courses meant only for slow learners or for those who cannot afford a degree program, will then be replaced with pride. In fact, with licensing, degree holders would even take Tech-Voc courses because they are more in demand and lucrative nowadays,” he said.
This is the main purpose and advocacy of the TEVSAPHIL, according to Galvez, to call the government to enact a law that will pursue Professional Regulatory and Licensing Board for Technical Vocational professions.
“With this, students who opted for Technical vocational Education, when they finish all the levels, gain their diploma and required on the job experience and passed the board exams–then would take pride in their accomplishment and their chosen profession. With Tech-Voc profession, you’ll be giving services and become an entrepreneur in your own right,” Galvez said.
Galvez is hopeful that the Professional Regulatory and Licensing Board for Technical Vocational professions will be made into law. “It will definitely raise the bar for TechVoc professions in the Philippines,” said Galvez.
