Always EXPRESS YO DELF!

March 16, 2008 - Top Shelf, Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street:
A gathering of what was arguably a group Manila's most innovative and street savvy individuals, in an event that bookmarked our island city on the global "Yo, they know what's up" map; 'Express Yo Delf', a tribute event that aimed to highlight young Filipino talent, and give the city's scenesters an opportunity to show their true artistic colors, saw an incomparable hub of creativity and energy mounted with resounding success.

A brainchild and pet project of Tollo Bote and Steak Productions' Sarah Meier, Banjo Albano, and Chris Aldaba, 'Express Yo Delf' was whipped up out of "pure passion and belief in what our country's youth have to offer, in terms of music, art, film, and fashion". "About 90% of the media and guests invited had no clue what the concept was until they got there, and they were very pleased with the great concept and collaboration done by Steak Productions, Tollo Bote, the artists, musicians, and designers", cites a guest ""Everyone loved and enjoyed the Sunday vibe, complete with barbecue and flowing booze, because it was something new for Manila".

"It was an important project for everyone involved, but unsurprisingly stress-free. When you have all the right pieces to the puzzle, things have a tendency to flow without a hitch", says Sarah Meier, the CEO of Steak's Creative Agency division. "We had art in almost all its forms represented - jewelry, clothing, furniture, and toy design. Visual artists doing live pieces. Percussionists, DJ's, break dancers. On top of that, when you have support from brands that are relevant to your project, there's really no way you can go wrong. Talking to Lee, to West, to Bacardi, to Sea Air, to MTV - these are companies that understand what's happening in the scene. And it's our job and mission at Steak to marry these companies with the talents that inspire trends and change in our industry. Keeping artists from starving, and keeping our clients current - that's what we like to say", Sarah adds with a smile.

Tollo Bote, who hand-picked the event's first batch of participants, expressed contentment from doing justice to his vision; "It was very satisfying and fullfiling for my first comeback event since being inactive for awhile and see this - turntablists, percussionists, and drummers to jam unrehearsed and no direction! It's an honor to have artists like Movement 69 and OttoRetardo do live art, and clearly see that it was inspired from the live music. And of course, it's good to have designers in one event and let everyone know what's up and what's next".

Participants in the first installment of 'Express Yo Delf' boasted of the +63-2's Urban Elite; Get Happy by Happy David, Die Marie by Christina Bartges, Filthy Grommet, Mich Dulce, Fresh, Mr. Marcus of Move, Jhoon of Kjwan, Red-i, John Type, Latin Soul Brother, PG of Pasta Groove, Funk Roots Crew, Movement 69/Pilipinas Street Plan, OttoRetardo, and representing Cebu, furniture designer extraordinaire, Vito Selma.


"Vito shipped his furniture to Manila just for our event. We're thinking about making it easier for him next time, and just flying the rest of the group over to Cebu for the next EYD edition! After that, watch out for a whole new batch of talent". So until then, let's applaud the first successful 'EXPRESS YO DELF' - A PUSH FOR MANILA'S VERY OWN MUSIC, LIFESTYLE, CULTURE, FASHION, AND ART.