People
How Cebuano Artist Inodoro Landed a Collaboration with Uniqlo
Picking a cheeky name–that’s just one of the reasons we’re fans of Inodoro’s PJ Ong. We find out about his philosophy, and his Uniqlo collaboration.
“I’m probably the friendliest graphic designer you’ll know,” PJ Ong says as we were wrapping up after the shoot at the villa of Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa. I had asked him what it was that he felt made him stand out from other artists, and he’d replied his character.
Definitely easygoing, PJ is the man behind Inodoro, his creative signature that has been getting widespread recognition for being the Filipino artist featured in a Uniqlo collection. “It was a great pleasure collaborating with Uniqlo for their Feel the SEA campaign,” he said smiling. “I’m still overwhelmed with the positivity that a team of highly esteemed curators chose me to represent the Philippines.”
PJ Ong grew up exposed to art, having always been interested in the subject for as far as he can remember. His father was a businessman, but spent his free time dabbling in painting and photography. “They are the reason I was led to this industry,” he shares about his family. “Aside from their highly supportive nature, there was always a thirst for creativity and adventure in the household. We love to travel and to explore new things in general. My parents have always been advocates of keeping an open mind and nurturing curiosity.” And those factors have all contributed to who he is a person and as an artist.
Like many artists, it takes time, effort and probably a pinch of drama to finally find your place in the scene. During the journey, he came to the conclusion that he had always been drawn to the so-called underground art industry. Laughing, he randomly mentions that he dropped out from college, where he was studying Information Technology. “It wasn’t for me, so I took a ten-month certification in the International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto,” PJ shares, continuing that he had went on to finishing the course at the top of the class. Not bad for a college dropout. “I will always be proud of that.”
The rest is history, and Inodoro was born.
It’s not unusual for someone to ask why PJ had chosen Inodoro as his brand name, considering it is the local word for a toilet. “I wanted a name that had Filipino-Spanish roots, with hints of controversy and humor. Embracing the punk ethos, my moniker naturally has a streak of rebellion and non-conformism. In short, a Fuck You attitude. Plus, it’s hard to forget.”
Inodoro is entirely abstract and experimental design. PJ stressed that each project is a unique endeavor, but he always tries to stay true to his design DNA. His work emphasize his principles, which are rooted in being forward-thinking, through-driven and dynamic.
This is probably one of the reasons why Uniqlo chose his work for the collection. “I was prompted by a business contact to send over a portfolio link, and after a few days, a representative from the Uniqlo HQ in Japan got in touch with me,” he recalls. “I was overwhelmed to find out that they had strong preference for my work, which they expressed during the initial communication.”
According to him, the main directive was to create designs in three colors. They were given creative freedom in terms of execution. “I was inspired by the Japanese’s constant pursuit of the avant-garde, the experimental and the unknown, while keeping the overall look minimal, clean and polished. At the same time, projecting a positive message since that was one of Uniqlo’s core values as a brand.”
The most significant thing that interests me about PJ’s view in the art industry is that he values his integrity and brand, much more than being popular or mainstream. He thinks it would be silly of him to change his style just to gain an audience. “To me, the name wouldn’t even matter As long as you’re able to produce brilliant work for some people, then that’s enough already,” he says. That goes to show how authentic he treats his art, and that his passion for graphic design is no joke. “Clients come to me because they already know my style. I won’t force someone to like my style—if they do, then that’s good!”
Photography Nath Ybañez Grooming Chady Pantaleon Locale Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa
Events
The First NUSTAR BALL
The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.
Black was the color of night at the Zee table.
Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.
Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong
Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof
Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez
Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar
Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung
PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago
Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan
Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas
Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado
It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.
Design
Filipino graphic designer makes history, joins Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde among genre’s greats
PJ Ong of Inodoro, an internationally renowned graphic designer, is the first Filipino whose work will be part of the permanent collection of Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde
CEBU CITY — In a groundbreaking achievement, Cebu-based graphic designer and art director PJ Ong of Inodoro Design Studio, is set to become the first Filipino artist permanently exhibited at Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g) in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
Cebu-based graphic designer and art director of Inodoro Design Studio, PJ Ong
Ong’s recognition at MA-g places him among over 250 avant-garde artists, including iconic figures like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, signifying a profound milestone in museum history.
“Avant-garde,” is a term that refers to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
“I am extremely honored and humbled. It is a remarkable milestone in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prominent platform. The acknowledgment, especially considering Switzerland’s exacting standards in art and design, is truly fulfilling,” said Ong.
Part of a stellar contemporary collection
Under the museum’s Contemporary Collection, Ong will join global contemporary agencies such as M/M Paris (collaborator of Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer, Björk), WORK Pte Ltd (brainchild of the “Godfather of Singapore Graphic Design,” Theseus Chan), Bedow (Stockholm), BVD Stockholm AB (Stockholm), Socio Design (London) and Milkxhake (Hong Kong), among others.
Ong’s music packaging design for the Filipino harsh noise duo, White Widow, will be featured in the museum. The band’s album “The God Uterus Dissolves” — released under Melt Records — features an unconventional cassette tape packaging incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, elevating it into a unique and bespoke collector’s item.
The museum’s selection process for its Contemporary Collection involved three categories: Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration. Swiss-Canadian Fritz Gottschalk, a prominent figure in contemporary graphic design, led the Graphic Design category.
“This is profoundly validating for me as a graphic designer. Being part of a museum’s permanent contemporary collection is a lasting testament to my capabilities as an artist,” said Ong.
‘Poetry you can touch’
The graphic designer from Cebu City further defined the album as a “deliberate departure from the ordinary,” stating that it was a testament to the artist’s and band’s dedication to pushing boundaries and offering the audience a unique and immersive experience.
“Careful consideration was given to every detail, including choosing a premium supplier for the cassette tape. Opting for a screen-printed cassette, where design elements were applied directly to the surface, gave it a contemporary and visually striking result, helping us reinforce the design narrative,” said Ong.
“From the cohesive placement of elements to using symbols instead of track titles on the spine and customizing fonts, every aspect was carefully thought out. Rather than opting for the conventional wire mesh treatment on print, I took a bold step by incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, adding a unique and sensory dimension to the album — almost like poetry you can touch.”
Profound honor
Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio under Ong’s leadership has garnered global acclaim for its bold design philosophy, spanning music, fashion, architecture, culture and technology. In becoming the first Filipino whose work will be on display at the MA-g, Ong stated that it is “particularly humbling.”
“Traditionally, these privileges are given to individuals who have amassed decades of experience, attained mastery in their craft, or even as a posthumous acknowledgment. To be among those selected is a profound and unexpected honor,” he said.
“Museums typically focus on visual artists, and for a graphic designer, especially within the realm of commercial work, recognition can be more elusive. I appreciate the challenges of this less conventional route and I am committed to proving the significance of graphic design in the broader artistic landscape.”
Art enthusiasts can anticipate viewing Ong’s work with “The God Uterus Dissolves” at MA-g, scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.
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About The Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g)
The Museum of Avant-garde compiles an original body of work from private collections, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and artistic significance of avant-garde movements. These movements, synonymous with transformative ideologies and daring experimentations, played a pivotal role in challenging political and societal conventions. For more information, visit www.ma-g.org.
About Inodoro
Inodoro is the creative moniker of graphic designer and art director PJ Ong, a prominent figure in the Philippine design scene. Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio, based in Cebu, Philippines, has garnered international recognition for its bold and distinctive design, with a focus on thought-driven imagery and iconic visual language. The studio specializes in identities, custom typography, graphic design and art direction. For more information, visit www.inodoro-design.com.
People
Ladies Who Support Ladies
Women’s Circle is an organization composed of Cebuano ladies who are successful entrepreneurs and top executives. They recently held a fellowship event at the Sheraton Mactan Resort, with special guests from the Women’s Business Council Philippines. Chairperson, Rosemarie Rafael and Council Secretary Cynthia Mamon both flew in from Manila to discuss alliances between the Cebu and Manila groups.
The half day event was organized by Perl Jacalan, Gina Atienza and Eva Gullas. Sheraton Resort through its GM Dottie Wugler Cronin supported the event as it is aligned with the hotel’s women initiatives. The successful event was made more fun with generous give-aways, notably Jo Malone perfumes, Sheraton bags, R&M Chocomanga and sarongs from Ferimar.
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