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Mia Durano: Shaping Art Into Brand

Mia Durano, Brand Manager of Qube Gallery, spends her daily grind immersed in strategy, curation, and marketing, all in service of shaping the gallery’s identity. Her role centers on transforming the art gallery experience into something not only culturally resonant but also marketable, bridging the gap between artistic vision and audience connection. At its core, her work is about building the brand—creating meaningful links between the art, the artists, and the community that surrounds them.

What is it that you love about your work?
That everything about it is the core of my background and nature. My work demands multiple objectives, and it’s all geared towards exploring and presenting the artworks of the gallery with their quality of being in good demand.

Are there any visual artists in the current scene that you champion?
I’m definitely a big fan of Sio Montera because his artworks are like feelings frozen in time. There’s also a series of mixed media collages in the gallery by an artist from Cavite — Melbourne Aquino. I’m obsessed with his images that seem to form words. More interestingly, they are names of colors in Filipino, but the words and colors do not necessarily match. It amuses me to no end, like a mental exercise.

Sio Montera

Melbourne Aquino

What book are you reading now?
Making It in the Art World by Brainard Carey. (Yes, seriously.)

What bag do you carry these days?
I usually switch between two categories: a utilitarian one — which is a black bucket bag from The Row, wherein I basically throw my whole life in it — and a fun bag, which I’m also very fond of.

Are you glued to any television series or movie at the moment?
Your Friends and Neighbors on Apple TV. It’s rich in detail and close to being real — highly recommended.

Is there a line from a novel or film that’s playing in your mind?
It’s from the film Before Sunset (1993). Celine, the female protagonist, has a line that says:
“If there’s any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something. I know it’s almost impossible to succeed but who cares really. The answer must be in the attempt.”

Do you wear a watch?
Yes — but embarrassingly, it’s a smartwatch. I’ll change if necessary or if my outfit demands it, but no sooner will I check the time on my phone instead.

What item of clothing feels most like you?
A black tailored halter-neck jumpsuit, wide-legged, made of suiting material and executed just for me. Not too casual, not quite formal — but somehow right.

What is your fave travel destination?

I used to live in Hanoi, so I’m really biased. It’s where I grew into myself. As for restaurant recommendations, the best locations are all found in the streets.

Any hip spot in Cebu that you can recommend?
Llula! Underrated food and great cocktails. Get the password from your close cool friend.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A life that is so inspired that I have no defaults — except for beauty and kindness.

 

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Ethan Andre H. Gomez: Turning One’s Body into a Canvas to Create Specific Marketable Tools

Ethan Andre H. Gomez, 20 years old and a second-year student in Business Management at De La Salle University Taft, wanted to be a model since he was 15 years old. He felt that he was so unattractive that his ultimate goal in life was modeling—because in his mind, no one thought it was even possible. Contrary to Andre’s misconception of himself, he is now currently a model under Avenir Management in Manila, Philippines, proof of a reversal of fortune.

Styling by Yumi Aileena, photography by Chris Santos

What is it that you love about your work?
The artistic expression—turning the human body, a creation of Mother Nature, into a canvas through clothing, makeup, and expression. With every pose and expression, I reach into my mind for an emotion to bring out for the aesthetics of the photographic team.

Are you glued to anything on television currently?
I’ve been binge-watching all of Bridgerton with my mom on Netflix recently.

Bridgerton is an alternative history regency romance created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix

What is your soundtrack like?
Industrial, grunge, and rock. Also a lot of looksmaxxing edits. The community can be toxic, but the music slaps.

looksmaxxing edits refer to fast paced video montages on trending music

Is there a line from a novel or song that plays in your mind?
The entire chorus of “Snarky” by Quannic.

Quannic, one of the most exciting singer-songwriter-producers to emerge in indie rock of late

What scent do you wear?
Golden Rum by Scentsmith or a coffee-scented body oil. I don’t like traditional men’s fragrances; I find that the alcohol content is too strong for my nose.

Scentsmith is a Filipino fragrance house known for its artisans approach

What is your favorite travel destination?
Hmm, I would say Hong Kong. It has layers of neon lights against the mountains, tradition beside glass towers. Hong Kong feels like walking through a film set that’s constantly evolving. I find that very inspiring.

Hong Kong is a dynamic, densely populated metropolis often described as Asia’s World City. Photography by Chris Santos

What restaurant do you frequent?
Chicken HaHa. It’s pretty unhealthy, but I combine it with salads—a lot. Abroad, I try to make sure I don’t try the same place twice. It’s always good to discover.

Chicken HaHa is known for its crispy and moist chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce.

Are you inspired by any visual artist?
In terms of appearance (hair, clothes), I get inspired by Kole from Tokyo Sims.

Kole from Tokyo Sims is a controversial street interviewer on YouTube and Instagram.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A purpose now, good food, and great friends—all while being at peace and away from useless stress.

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Ludy Vilma Demecillo Makes a Leap From the Corporate World to the Exciting Broadcasting Industry

Ludy Vilma Demecillo has spent 21 years in the insurance industry as a manager for Manulife Insurance Company and also as a sales and marketing consultant. Recently, her interest has expanded into media and community development work. Currently, Ms. Demecillo is a talk show host and is an influencer running her own blog and vlog as a content creator in the online media space, Journeyscapes with Ludy.

Ludy Vilma Demecillo raises self-awareness in her vlogs in an online media space.

What do you love about your work?

It’s the opportunity to meet people. Every conversation is a chance to learn something new, and every experience can be shared with others. I enjoy connecting with people and passing along insight that might help in someone else’s life journey.

Are there any writers, spiritual thinkers, or creatives who have helped shape the way you think?

I have followed a number of life coaches who have influenced me, like Dr. Shefali Tsabary, David Ghyam, and Matthew Hussey. I deeply honor my personal life coach, Paraluman Patalinghug Datta, a Cebuana now based in India. That guidance truly changed my life.

David Ghiyam is a globally recognized Kaballah teacher

What’s your soundtrack like?

One artist I hope to see live someday is Adele, but at heart I’m an old soul. I love the timeless music of Frank Sinatra. Two years ago, when I travelled to Nashville, I made sure to visit a Sinatra bar and lounge that featured live performances of his repertoire. Sitting there and listening to those classics being sung by other artists was absolute heaven!

American singer and actor Frank Sinatra is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.

Is there a line from literature or a podcast that often plays in your mind?

When you change your internal beliefs and thoughts, your external reality begins to shift as well. This idea resonated while I was listening to LoveAgainJen, whose core message is, “learn to love yourself.”

Is there a piece of jewellery or accessory that you cannot leave the house with?

I love designer bags. I admit it proudly — I’m very much a Prada and Louis Vuitton kind of girl. A good bag completes the outfit and gives me the confidence to take on the day.

Prada Saffiano Black Handbag

Do you have a favourite restaurant in Cebu?

Recently, one of my favorite dining spots is Pukot Kitchen in Banilad. The ambiance is relaxed, almost family-style, and the food is really good.

Pukot is a Cebuano term meaning to catch fish through a netting.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness is about gratitude in the present moment. Happiness itself can be fleeting because it’s often tied to circumstances; however, if you cultivate contentment, meaning, and gratitude, these moments transform into genuine joy. I find joy in spending time with my children, in being able to find blessings through life coaching, mentoring, and sharing my personal journey.

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Rod Malanao: Empowering the Growth of the Luxury Fashion Industry to Designing Knit Wear on the Side

Rod Malanao has spent the last three years with Luxclusif as a buyer specialising in second-hand designer luxury bags, the second life department of Farfetch. Luxclusif’s mission is to empower the growth and sustainability of the luxury fashion industry. The company is credited for its aid in reducing waste and encouraging mindful consumption.

On the other side of the scale, Rod is also a knitwear designer. This young visionary finds balance between the analytical and the intuitive, the structure and the emotion.

Rod Malanao’s knit study on expansion of form 2022-2023

Rod Malanao’s sketches for his eponymous knit wear line, 2021

How would you assess your work for Luxclusif?
In acquiring luxury brands, instinct and numbers go hand in hand. You need both to make the right call.

What do you love most about your work?
Seeing the sparkle in someone’s eyes when clients try on one of my pieces. That instant joy makes everything worth it.

Are you inspired by any visual artists lately?
Helen Frankenthaler is always on top of my mind, particularly Mountains and Sea, 1952. I’m also drawn to Hannah Wilke’s S.O.S.–Stratification Object series, 1974–82.

Mountains and Sea by Helen Frankenthaler

What’s your music playlist like?
A bit of a mess, honestly. It jumps across genres randomly. Spotify informed me that my listening age is that of a 65-year-old, if that says anything at all.

Is there a soundtrack you are listening to now?
Currently listening to Dian’s Moonbow Disco. We happened to catch the artist at SomSoc Gallery in Tokyo last December 2025, and we were lucky enough to have an autograph.

The artist Dian signing autographs at SomSoc Gallery in Tokyo

Is there a line from a book or a song that often plays in your mind?
“Wish that those who, like you, find the door a tad heavy won’t let it bother them, otherwise we’ll be left waiting around forever.”
— Syou Ishida, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

Syou Ishida’s We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

Do you have a favourite restaurant from your recent travels?
A neighbourhood food joint on Wuding West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai. Look for the brightly lit yellow signage.

Jing’an District in Shanghai

Are there any other fashion designers you admire?
I love Rei Kawakubo and have built a personal collection from the Comme des Garçons universe. I often say that I was raised on Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, my childhood heroes.

The iconic Rei Kawakubo

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is hard to quantify. Happiness is nuanced and layered. It could be a bowl of soup or a kiss on the cheek tomorrow.

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