Bahay Ni Maria has always been close to Jing Monis’ heart. Now, together with Jan Mayo and Aaron Virata Mempin, the artists cultivated a new sense of creative purpose by organizing a fundraising event for the foundation
There is comfort and solace in contemplating the phenomenon of miracles. In spite of being one of life’s greatest mysteries, miracles are surprisingly a universal experience for all and sundry. It’s a given that everyone is bound to encounter a form of miracle on a daily but there is also something that is revitalizing in making miracles happen in the life of others. At the end of the day, everything that comes from love is a miracle.
Perhaps it’s a form of miracle. But life led Jing Monis to the right place “Naalala ko si lola na tumabi sakin nung bumisita ako. Tinanong niya sakin kung babalik pa ako at sabi ko opo, babalik ako at bibisitahin ko po kayo,” the celebrity hairstylist emotionally recalled one of his memories in Bahay Ni Maria Foundation, a home for abandoned elderlies with special needs. “Sabi niya sakin na pagbalik ko bilhan ko siya ng pasalubong. Everytime na nagtatravel ako, ang mama ko humihingi rin sakin ng pasalubong. Para sakin, eto ba yung way ng mama ko na wala na siya pero may isa nanamang lola na humihingi ng same thing kung anong hinihiling niya? Mula noon, nakita ko yung mama ko sa kanila. Pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hanggang kaya ko, tutulungan ko sila.”
In a MEGA exclusive interview, we caught up with the celebrity hairstylist and explored the concept of his fundraising event, his recent collaboration with photographer Jan Mayo, and his relationship with Bahay Ni Maria.
A heart bigger than home
“I was invited seven years ago to give a free haircut sa Bahay Ni Maria, but unfortunately that year my dad was sick so I wasn’t able to go,” Jing Monis shared. “So the following year, they invited us again to do the same thing so I decided to go and see for it myself. And then, yung nakita ko sa kanila, hindi ko kinaya. Sobrang heartbreaking. You see all the lolas na hindi maayos yung tulugan, yung bahay nila. The following year my mom died, and promised her that will be for her. We’re trying to raise funds for them to give them a better shelter.”
An exhibit for a cause
It is certain that one can be a miracle to others. In recent times, Jing Monis collaborated with photographer Jan Mayo and artist Aaron Virata Mempin for a fundraising exhibit and hairzine that aims to help the foundation to have a better shelter. The creatives integrated their expertise to visually narrate a hair story about movement and flexibility. “I believe that all haircuts should be flexible,” the celebrity hairstylist reflected on the concept behind the exhibit.
At the other end of the spectrum, the showcase also features a saga of black and white portraits with ambassadors like Joey Mead King, Angie Mead King, Tim Yap, Mylene Dizon, Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo, Dr. Z Teo, Mimiyuuuh, Ann Umali-Lontoc, Aaron Maniego, Fifth Solomon, Fino Herrera, Philippe Magalona, and Evan Tan.
Meanwhile, Jan Mayo explained how he was able to seamlessly translate the concept into photos “When Jing approached me to do a collaboration for his second hairzine, he told me that the concept is movement, what I thought was, let’s do a shoot that emphasizes lines and angles.”
It’s a given that the collaboration is teeming with magic. Surprisingly, Jing Monis revealed “It’s my first time working with Jan. He continued “We were social media friends. We met on Instagram during the pandemic and then one led to another, hindi namin alam na magiging ganito pala siya kalaki. It’s very exciting kasi iba siya compared sa usual na ginagawa namin.”
How to help
There is more than one way to show support for Bahay Ni Maria. For more information on how to donate or purchase the hairzine, look into the details posted by Jing Monis here or reach out to the foundation on their official page.
Photos from JAN MAYO
