Steampunk Chronicle & Amour Mag Lunch A ‘Steamy’Success

By: Jovie Calma

 

“May the 4th be with you,” that was the famous line of the day amongst the photographers, models, designers, stylists and make up-artists who collaborated together for the “Steampunk Chronicle” photo shoot that was held on May 4th, the worldwide celebration of Starwars Day. Steampunk Chronicle was one of the biggest and most anticipated shoots in Chicago. What a huge success, so to speak! The original idea brewed when the awardwinning celebrity photographer and creative designer, Ms. Amie Hana and this writer went to Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin last year. Ms. Hana tried on some steampunk glasses from one of the vendors at the faire and voila, she organized the said exciting event in a heartbeat. Ms. Amie Hana, born and raised in Thailand before settling to Chicago to work as a registered nurse in the ICU. She’s a nurse by profession with a deep passion for arts. She also worked in Health Care Management before pursuing a career in photography. In 1993, Amie made the big leap and left the healthcare profession and dedicated her time to photography work. Since then, she made a name for herself for her amazing work. She has worked with famous celebrities in Thailand and in the United States. Her photography has graced the covers of many wedding and fashion magazines, and has covered major events in the country including the Miss Universe pageant in 2012 held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Amie was selected to be “The Best Photographer in Chicago” by The Knot Best of Weddings Magazine. Amie is also known for organizing fashion events with unique flair. She launched the original “Thailand Extravaganza” where Chicago had a “Taste of Thailand,” as well as “Barbie in Chicago” where the most adorable doll of the decade was brought to life! Both of the events were sold-out with Chicago socialites and celebrities who graced the events while giving back to charity. Amie as a Philanthropist, volunteered in the “United for Hope” event organized by the Village of Mount Prospect businesses to provide relief efforts for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. 100% of the proceeds went to Gawad Kalinga. With the success of the high-end photo shoot co-produced by Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE, Ms. Hana collaborated with some of the models and photographers from the fundraiser to come up with the Steampunk Chronicle Photo shoot where the images were published in the AMOUR Magazine. This writer was featured as one of the celebrity models. On July 17, 2014, Mid Summer Night’s Dream was held in Parliament, one of the most sought-after nightlife destinations in Chicago with the AMOUR Magazine launching and the Best of Steampunk Photoshoot Fashion Awards! The event was attended by the photographers and models who participated in the shoot, as well as the famous personalities in Chicago who are considered as the “movers and shakers” of the fashion industry. It was also an event for a great cause benefiting the Premiere3 Foundation and HLAI Charities. It was a magical evening, so to speak! Congratulations to all the nominees and most-deserving winners and to Ms. Amie Hana on the success of the AMOUR Magazine launch! I’m humbled and honored to be published and featured in the Steampunk and your very first edition of AMOUR. Before I end my article this month, allow me to congratulate all the most deserving awardees of the 20th Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame inducted last October 4. We’re inspired with all your amazing contributions to our Filipino and Asian-American community. You all are epitome of success! We are honored to have the presence of Mr. Jon Cotay and Ms. Lourdes Livas, who are the recipients of VIA Man and Woman of the Year Award for 2014. I had the privilege of nominating Jon and two of my other great friends, Mr. Aeron Lancero to receive the Hall of Fame Award in Executive Leadership in Hospitality Business and Dr. Jojo Sayson to receive the Hall of Fame Award- Science/Humanitarian. I am extremely proud of you all and you never cease to amaze me! My big congratulations to Ryan Telero as the recipient of Hall of Fame’s Most Outstanding Service for VIA Times/CPRTV. I admire your loyalty and dedication to VIA Times through the years and for your enduring commitment for the Hall of Fame. Very welldeserved! We are grateful to all our guests who have supported the event and our cause, the VIPs and most distinguished guests, Republican Candidate for Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner as our Guest Speaker, Mr. Billy Dec, 2011 Man of the Year and President Obama’s Adviser for White House Initiatives for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as our Keynote Speaker, and Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge among many others. To all the performers, models for AKIRA fashion showcase and the Ladies Choice Band, thank you for sharing your time and talents at the Hall of Fame. It was indeed a stellar event! To the 2014 Hall of Fame Committees, yet another great Hall of Fame event over, yet another milestone achieved as it’s our 20th year and yet another opportunity to pat the back and raise my glasses for all of YOU who contributed to the grand success of the 20th Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame! I would like to personally thank you all for your ever-increasing dedication and enthusiasm. The event would not have been a success without your involvement. The Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2014 gala event was a resounding success, but we couldn’t have done it without you. We appreciate your gift of time, energy and enthusiastic support. To my executive producer and publisher, Veronica Leighton and our Business Manager and Producer, Joe Mauricio, I appreciate your trust and confidence in me that I can lead the team again in making this year’s event a successful one. I’m grateful and humbled with the opportunity of being able to work with remarkable and exceptional people like you. To this year’s assistant coordinator but for me he is my copilot, Ryan Tejero, my heartfelt thanks for everything and for your enduring commitment. Congrats Girlie Pascual and Nick Vera Perez for an awesome job as co-emcees. Thank you Girlie for making everyone connected with your wit, humor and good nature. Same goes to you, Nick, as you made the evening a pleasure for everyone in attendance. To James, Baron, Lou, Karla, Aizza, Chie, Tita Gina, Tita Neneth, Tita Alice, Arizza, David, we thank you for your individual contributions. Hats off to all of you. Tita Carmen, thank you for the beautiful corsages and boutonnieres as always. Tita Elsie, we appreciate you for inviting the mainstream media to cover our Hall of Fame event. My elephantsize thanks to Jhun and Chaz Patron for the awesome step-andrepeat banner that you have donated to VT/CPRTV. We appreciate you both for stepping up in making our event a successful one! Lastly, allow me to leave you with a quote that I read today from Henry Ford: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success”. Major love to my MUA, Karen Anne Souza-Torres who glammed me up and for this art nouveau inspired gown created by Aimee Hazel Cua! Everyone loved it, thanks much, Aimee! I can’t wait to see more of your beautiful creations pretty soon! Have a BE.YOU.tiful one! Keep shining and don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle! You’re all SUPERSTARS!

Jovie Calma hosted the red carpet arrivals at the 20th Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame, spotted with Mr. Jon Cotay of AKIRA Chicago, the 2014 Man of the Year!

Spotted on the red carpet was VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma with Dr. Jojo Sayson, Hall of Fame Awardee in Science/Humanitarian

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma was featured as a celebrity model at the Steampunk photo shoot and published at AMOUR Magazine. Photo opportunity with Ms. Amie Hana, Chicago’s celebrity photographer and publisher of AMOUR magazine.

 

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma’s photo opportunity with her parents and 2014 Man of the Year! (L-R: Jovie Calma, Connie Calma (2004 Hall of Fame Awardee in Education), Ricky Calma, and Jon Cotay (2014 Man of the Year)