Photographer: Filbert Diego Kung
HMU: Joel Vera Sebastian
Born and raised in the Philippines, Janet Nepales, the oldest of six, was always destined to follow the path of a writer. After setting the foundation of her journalistic career in the Philippines, Janet has become recognized as an award-winning journalist based in Los Angeles. She is a consistent winner in the National Entertainment Journalism Awards, a U.S.- wide competition, and the Southern California Journalism Awards, both presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. Currently, she has a weekly column, “Hollywood Insider.” on GMA-7 News Online, and is the Hollywood correspondent of the top network, and has regular monthly columns in Manila Up and Exquisite Magazine. Adding to her impressive resume, Janet is also the first Filipina member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) in its 70-plus-year history when she joined as a member in 2008.
As Janet continues to flourish her career as a journalist, she is getting ready to launch her first book, a glossy 12” x 14” coffee table book, “Fashion. Filipino, Hollywood. The World” in the U.S.
In her first book, Janet pays tribute to fashion and designers with a gorgeous compilation of specially picked photos of red-carpet couture as well as her favorite quotes from her various interviews with the fashion designers and Hollywood celebrities she has interviewed in her many years as a Hollywood journalist. Her book is a first of its kind because it is the first time Filipino fashion designers are highlighted on the red carpet and raises awareness to what these designers can contribute on the global fashion stage.
It features stunning spreads of fashion, including red carpet photos of top stars and celebrities, mostly taken by Hollywood photographer, Sthanlee B. Mirador. Photos by renowned fashion lensman, Filbert Diego Kung, are also highlighted in the book. “I appreciate the work, the creative genius, the artistry and the labor of love of these fashion designers,” she says.
You always had the passion for writing. Tell us about your background.
I was born in Quezon City, Philippines. I graduated from public schools – Morato Elementary School and Quezon City High School. I graduated valedictorian in a class of 500 in high school and was the editor-in-chief of the school paper, The Capitol.
Even at a young age of seven, I already loved writing. I was doing poetry at that age but it was my high school teacher, Lourdes N. Tacorda, who inspired me to go into journalism.
I pursued journalism in college and graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines where I was the editor-in-chief of the college journal, The Flame, and the managing editor of the university paper, The Varsitarian.
I am the eldest of six children. My parents always instilled in me to do my best in anything I venture into, not to give up, to work hard, to respect others and to follow your dreams.
You are an award-winning journalist. What does it take to be the best in your business?
Journalism is a very competitive field. So, you must have the drive and passion to pursue your dream. It takes a lot of hard work, patience and intense focus on your goals.
You should be able to take constructive criticism well. Do not take things personally. Always welcome challenges as stepping stones to success. Try to improve yourself always. Remember that you are always competing against yourself and nobody else. Be grateful every day.
Take each day as the beginning to your path to success. What is important is your happiness in doing what you love the most…and then everything else will follow!
You are about to launch your first coffee table book, “Fashion. Filipino. Hollywood. The World.” Tell us more.
I am proud of my first coffee table book, a glossy 12” x 14” hard cover book with amazing photos on the red carpet by my friend and colleague, ace photographer Sthanlee B. Mirador, gorgeous fashion photos by international photographer Filbert Diego Kung and choice quotes from my encounters with the talented Filipino fashion designers and all the Hollywood A-listers I have interviewed through my years as a Hollywood journalist.
My publisher and friend, former supermodel-turned-actress-film producer Bessie Badilla, helped me choose the photos for the book. I trust her unerring eye because of her valuable experience in fashion. I am also so proud of her for doing the stunning graphic design and layout of the book. And she just taught herself via the software!
We worked on the book during the pandemic and so this is my pandemic baby as well. The challenge was, she was in the Philippines while I was in Los Angeles, so we exchanged numerous emails and Facetime calls at the oddest hours of the day and night.
My editor is my husband, Ruben Nepales, who is known to be eagle-eyed and has great attention to details. It is simply wonderful to be working with him because he can tell me exactly and frankly what he thinks, and I trust his judgment since we work as a team.
Share the fashion designers and the specially picked photos of red-carpet couture. Do you have a favorite photo?
Some of the Filipino fashion designers featured include Michael Cinco, Furne Amato, Ezra Santos, Josie Natori, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran, Oliver Tolentino, David Tupaz, Puey Quinones, Alexis Bong Monsanto, Alan del Rosario, RC Caylan, Kenneth Barlis and the late Rocky Gathercole.
Having Rocky Gathercole in my book is special because I was the last journalist to interview him before he passed away in the Philippines. So, this book is also a tribute to him.
One of my favorite photos on the red carpet in the book is that of 89-year-old actress Rita Moreno wearing again, more than half a century later, her original gown by the late Filipino master designer, Pitoy Moreno.
This was the black and gold gown she first wore when she won the Academy best supporting actress honors for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story” in 1962. She wore the gown again at the Oscars in 2018 and she still looks fabulous in it…and so does the 56-year-old gown! She made fashion headlines and stole the Oscars red carpet fashion that night in 2018.
Tell us about working with creative genius, lensman, Filbert Diego Kung.
I love working with Filbert Diego Kung because he knows exactly what angle you look good in. He pays attention to details to get just the perfect look – the tilt of your head, the way you move your shoulder, where you should be looking, the movement of your hands, the bending of your body. All with the quiet gesture of his fingers or hands! No words said. So, you have to be alert!
He even makes sure your hair and make-up are perfect before he clicks his camera.
What are you most proud of while putting your book together?
I am very proud of the finished product because this is the first of its kind book. This is the first time that a book highlighting Filipino fashion designers on the global red carpet is published. It highlights their genius.
The book gives them a platform, a showcase to highlight their creative genius, originality, individuality and hard work. I am proud of all the amazing, gorgeous photos we used. I am also happy to share my favorite quotes from my many years of interviews with the Hollywood stars and show their humanity, that they are just like us, ordinary people who also worry about the same things that we normally worry about — family, love, and career.
How excited are you for the book launch on Dec. 3rd in LA?
I am excited about the book launch on December 3rd in Los Angeles because we will have a mini fashion show by all the designers who are in town, featuring at least one gown of their choice. We will have a mini designers’ exhibit with some of their works on mannequins.
Emmy award-winning producer and former beauty queen Lisa Manibog Lew and Las Vegas-based fashion designer David Tupaz are helping me organize the event.
It is an event where we will celebrate fashion, Filipino, Hollywood, the world!
The book is now available in the Philippines, Asia and the Middle East. Hoping to take her book globally, Janet is taking pre-orders right now for the U.S. and Canada. She is having a book launch on December 3 rd in Los Angeles. You may contact Janet directly or pre-order the book on Facebook
@FashionFilipinoHollywoodTheWorld. The book is $125 per copy plus $10 for shipping and handling.
About The Author
