Explore Paolo Benito 'Peabo' Tugbang
* He aims to be a holistic person, to promote self-growth and not limit himself to just being a fashion designer. He wants to be ethical in his affairs
Paolo shows off his work in a magazine
Paolo Benito Tugbang or "Peabo" as he would like to be called, arrived at Coffee Break Robinsons for the interview dressed in a yellow T-shirt, a pair of walking shorts, a scarf and a pair of sneakers. It was during our chitchat that this writer found out that Peabo defies the stereotype about young fashion designers as being daring in the way they dress.
"I'm simple. I keep my getup muted. But if I get in the mood, I go for pop art," Peabo said. He added that he likes black, green and gray colors.
He is a fourth year Nursing student. He is torn between taking up Medicine and a course in fashion designing after he finishes Nursing.
Paolo (right) with designer friends
Discover more about Peabo in this interview.
Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): What's your design approach?
Paolo Benito Tugbang
(PBT): Unpredictable. I don't want to be known for a particular style. I don't want to be labeled. I am random, diverse. I want surprise. I could make designs that are wearable, and some are artsy.
KMV: Are you like that in the non-fashion aspect?
PBT: Yes. I'm a random person who wants to explore.
KMV: So, where did your exploration bring you?
PBT: I write in a school publication since grade school. That's Lifeline, the official publication of West Visayas State University's College of Nursing. I'm presently the associate editor.
With some Young Designers of Iloilo members
I'm also a member of Lomo Iloilo. I'm into the hobby of lomography. Photography is a good venue to express beautiful things around us.
Then, I'm also an online activist for Greenpeace for two months now and have been encouraging people to initiate earth preservation. I've joined environment-related competitions in school. We're planning to put up a Greenpeace Society in school.
I'm also a member of Peta, but I'm not a strong activist. My focus is more on discouraging the use of fur and leather for fashion. I also hope they won't also cut up frogs and other animals in school.
A Greenpeace activist
KMV: So, you're quite an activist.
PBT: Yes, people had been inviting me to join activist groups but I'm still thinking about it. I'm open to possibilities for I love to discover new things.
KMV: What other activities are you curious about?
PBT: I'm now reading on mountaineering, scuba diving and going on a road trip.
KMV: What else do we need to discover about you?
PBT: I'd like people to discover me rather than promote myself except in a case like this wherein you are asking me questions in relation to the feature article.
Photo shoot
KMV: Are you sociable?
PBT: No. I'm the last person you'll see in parties. Among the Young Designers of Iloilo, I'm not into public relations. I'm a loner most of the time. I'm a day person. I'm comfortable working backstage or doing the YDI's paperwork. I'm the group's secretary.
KMV: What's the update on YDI?
PBT: We already drafted our by laws and we are set to register the group.
KMV: In what way has YDI helped you?
PBT: Learning doesn't stop and being in YDI, I get to share and learn ideas. I also appreciate veteran designers like Tito Bo (Parcon), Don (Protasio), Jaki (Penalosa) and Eric de los Santos because they are not hesitant to share what they know. I enjoy hanging out with them and the YDI.
KMV: What do you aim for?
PBT: To be a holistic person, to promote self-growth and not limit myself to just being a fashion designer. But I want to be ethical in my affairs. Anyway, I value what I have. I'm enjoying it to the fullest.