Juliana Gomez and Annika Prieto Valdes are examples of what it means to grow up gracefully in the public eye
The September cover shoot was done at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City, the metropolitan outpost of the well-known restoration project located in Bataan. The house, designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo S. Antonio for Felipe Sangil Juico in the late 1960s, was acquired by Jerry Acuzar, who kept its original features and opened it to the public. Rather than merely bulldozing the home for a modern development, the house has become homage to culture and artistry, and one of the best examples of Filipino ingenuity in design.
It is only fitting that the Lifestyle Asia Art and Style cover was shot in this locale. In recent years, the issue has been a collaboration with the Red Charity Gala, and this issue was no different. Dressed in Rajo Laurel, Juliana Gomez and Annika Prieto Valdes helm the cover and espouse all the good values of the Red Charity Gala and discuss what it means to be a young lady growing up in today’s fast paced world.
The daughter of film stars and politicians Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, Juliana is turning 18 this September and displays none of the infamous behavior that seems to ascribe itself to the children of celebrities. Recently dipping her toes in the world of showbusiness, Juliana says the idea wasn’t particularly appealing, although she keeps an open mind, something that her parents encourage. “My parents have never put me in a box or told me that I should only follow one particular dream and throw away the others. They were always very encouraging [on exploring] how the world was so big and how there are so many possibilities and how I should not be tied down to just one interest.”
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Annika Prieto Valdes is currently a student in film and based in California. Her mother is social personality Tessa Prieto Valdes, and while the self-described introvert says she has a few differences to her mother, she can nevertheless appreciate their similarities. “I do think my mom has passed on certain indispensable qualities to me that I am extremely grateful for. I like to believe that I am just as kind and caring towards other people as my mom is.” One thing they definitely differ in is her mom’s inclination for dressing up for every event, big or small. “How my mom goes to event after event, switching costumes here and there, is unfathomable to me. It is how she trains for her triathlons.”
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Of the Red Charity Gala, the cause is near and dear to Annika’s heart. “It is important to give back to others who are not in a place where they can support themselves, as it helps alleviate the vicious cycle of poverty and pain,” she says. Because she currently lives away from home, she is unable to attend. To make up for it, she supports other causes, like the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with environmental support charities like PETA, Greenpeace and the ASPCA. Annika encourages people to give back. “It is important for every generation to help charities. Time and consistency are the best factors for change. For my generation specifically, helping charities would not only further cement the progress met by those before us but also set an example for younger generations.”
Read the full cover story of Juliana Gomez and Annika Prieto Valdes in Lifestyle Asia’s September 2018 Edition, titled the Red Charity Gala Issue. Run to the nearest bookstore for your print copy or download the FLIP100 app for a digital version.
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SHOOT CREDITS:
Photography by Yukie Sarto
Gowns by Rajo Laurel
Makeup by Jason Delos Reyes for NARS Cosmetics and Luisa Crespo
Hair by Mark Rosales and Marvin Lee Estaquio
Special thanks to Margarita Fores
Shot on location at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City
