British Filipino creatives inspired by Diamond Jubilee

LONDON - As Britain commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, UK-based Filipino creatives joined the festivities by dedicating art, music and fashion to the momentous occasion.

ABS-CBN Europe spoke to the artists about their tributes, the Queen, and British society.

Jubilee Bow by designer Davy Limliman Vallecer

British Bows

To celebrate all things British, fashion designer Davy Limliman Vallecer produced a Jubilee-inspired collection for her accessories label BOW, including an assortment of bow ties and headbands with Union Jack motifs.

“The inspiration comes from being proud to be British. My tribute to the Jubilee is to offer one of my talents and to say thanks for being British and having the opportunities I have,” said the fashionista, who was born and bred in London.

“I am happy that the Queen is celebrating her 60 years on the throne. It’s a huge achievement and happens once in a lifetime. And I love how an event like this brings people together. There is an air of happiness and unity, which is a great feeling. We, as a country, do not celebrate or recognize the good things in our country. We're too quick to complain and focus on what's not happening. It's great to be proud of what the Queen has accomplished and she’s still going. She is such an icon all over the world and she's ours.”

Hat man Chito Salarza Grant in the festive streets in London wearing one of his Jubilee hats

Hats off to the Queen

Chito Salarza-Grant, dubbed as the Hat Man of London, created three special hats for the Jubilee weekend, one for every major event: the Flotilla, the concert, and the procession.

Describing one of the hats, he said: “The River Pageant Hat has a centerpiece of a plastic toy boat I found in a car boot sale and bought for a pound, which belonged to an English child, and covered with used stamps of the Queen's head from 1952 to 2012 - 60 years on the throne - with a Queen replica toy waving to the crowd against the multicoloured disco lights, wearing a miniature hat I created made out from a satin pink beaded material, a pouch bag, and diamond brooch which belonged to my partner's collection of costume jewelry.”

He also added: “The Diamond Jubilee is once in a lifetime event. Only 2 took place in the UK in many centuries. She's my Queen, being a British citizen. I’m also dedicating the Jubilee hats for my partner, who was a great supporter of the Queen but missed out on her Diamond Jubilee as he passed away during the Queen’s birthday last year. He witnessed the coronation of the Queen in 1952 as a 13 year old boy who came to see it in The Mall 60 years ago.”

Salarza-Grant is known for his elaborate and eccentric hat designs for public events in the capital. He has previously dedicated special hats to dozens of occasions, including the Lord Mayor’s Parade and the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. He is currently preparing a new hat for the upcoming London 2012 Olympics.

Events Organizer Vanessa Horca wearing a Union Jack dress backstage with friends at the Jubilee-inspired fashion show in Pacha London/Courtesy of Melvin Cacho of Omni Kreations

Fashion Forward

At Pacha London in Victoria, events organizer Vanessa Horca donned a Union Jack dress, designed by Filipino designer Neil Medina, at the I Love Pacha, I Love Fashion show dedicated to the Jubilee weekend.

“The show was a Diamond Jubilee celebration in commemoration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. It was the first fashion show in London to join the four-day festivities,” said Horca.

Models walked on the catwalk with British flag motifs, showcasing designs from upcoming fashion designers and independent labels including House of Jojo, Yiujia Huo, Frieda Liang May Tang, and Flipcore.

A track by British Filipino singer Jaynee was played on BBC Radio 94.9 over the Jubilee weekend

Pop Princess

British Filipino recording artist Jaynee became part of the celebrations when her single “Something” was played during the Jubilee broadcast of BBC Radio 94.9.

“I feel privileged and honored that my track has been chosen to be played on radio over the Jubilee weekend, beating thousands of tracks that BBC Radio has received,” she said.

Jaynee’s song was chosen by BBC Radio 94.9 as their “Rewind of the Week” over the Jubilee weekend, which features the station’s favorite tracks from up and coming UK artists.

The latest graffit of French Filipino street artist Ben Naz criticized Jubilee celebrations as a distraction to real issues in Britain

Queen & Country

Meanwhile, at Southbank in central London, French-Filipino street artist Ben Naz unveiled his new graffiti for the Jubilee. The piece includes an unfinished alternative portrait of the Queen alongside a rebellious child stopped by a fat policeman.

“The Jubilee piece depicts the souring effect of the so called broken society in which the monarch has no control. The elicit sickness of deformity, lack of social ethics which no longer exist. Last year's riots were an example of what Britain has become: A land of discomfort and uncertainty. The piece depicts the inner problem of the country while others concentrate on the upcoming Jubilee and bypassing the most important issues that the British public face at this present time,” he explained.

“The public needs to see what we are today, not what we tend to hide behind the cloak. I'm a public street artist. I explore and make statements. I do not hide the facts. I do not intend to be a hypocrite. I create what I see and this is Britain now. Once a great nation and will always be a great nation, except from the wild animals that adds up to its already broken and dysfunctional society.”

Celebrating her 60th year as a sovereign of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II is the second longest serving monarch in history, surpassed only by her ancestor Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations included a day at the races in Epsom, a lavish float parade on the River Thames involving a thousand boats led by the royal barge Gloriana, a spectacular concert outside Buckingham Palace featuring dozens of famous international pop stars, and a lavish carriage procession in central London culminating with an RAF Flypast and Feu de Joie.

Thousands of local concerts, street parties and firework displays also took place around the country during the four-day-long celebrations.