wave RIDERS
Vogue Philippines|April 2024
ARCHIE GEOTINA or CHICHIMONSTA on how moving to Siargao sparked a new way of seeing.
BIANCA CUSTODIO
wave RIDERS

"I wanted to lean on what I would see. Who were the heroes in front of me?” Archie Geotina says. The artist, also known as Chichimonsta, is explaining how Siargao influenced his artistry and has lead to the creation of his viral works. His “Pearls,” showing surfers Ikit and Aping Agudo in Filipiniana, was shared by thousands while the world was still reeling from the pandemic.

Geotina shares that the projects he has worked on since moving to Siargao from Manila is a way to contrast against Spanish-looking iconography. (He grew up with a religious grandmother). “The way I frame my muses is parang pwede mo sila ilagay sa simbahan. So yun yung influence ng Siargao sa akin. [The way I frame my muses is as if you can place them in a church. That was the influence Siargao gave me.] It gave me a local filter. I needed to be honest with myself and that’s what Siargao had given me.”

The artist spoke with Vogue Philippines about his viral project, women empowerment, and persistence in his craft.

Where did you grow up and what was it like growing up?

I grew up in Manila. I was born in Manila, but my whole family comes from Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, which is an hour away from Siargao. Siargao used to be a district of Surigao del Norte, so I grew up in a household full of Bisayas and Surigaonons. They were always speaking about the places we grew up in and Philippine folklore and all of that stuff, so although I never grew up in Dinagat Island per se, the food, the language, and the ethics have always been shared to me. It’s because everyone in my household, even our helpers, came from Surigao.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2024 de Vogue Philippines.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2024 de Vogue Philippines.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE VOGUE PHILIPPINESVer todo
eternal poetry
Vogue Philippines

eternal poetry

In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, BULGARI's FABRIZIO BUONAMASSA STIGLIANI and MAURO DI ROBERTO talk about how an appreciation for craftsmanship and technique makes it possible to realize poetry in precious stones.

time-read
8 minutos  |
August 2024
evan ever evolving
Vogue Philippines

evan ever evolving

Unpindownable and unputdownable, model, actor, and all-in-one wunderkind Evan Mock makes magic in perpetual motion.

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2024
SCENE STEALERS
Vogue Philippines

SCENE STEALERS

In recent years, the landscape of local cinema has changed dramatically with an influx of new and talented actors. Meet three Filipino leads rewriting the script, ushering in a new era across all facets of filmmaking.

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2024
FORCE sensitive
Vogue Philippines

FORCE sensitive

Designer Kelvin Morales premieres his latest collection, translating resonance in barongs, structured pieces, and a neutral palette spliced with ultramarine.

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2024
twm FLAMES
Vogue Philippines

twm FLAMES

SASSA JIMENEZ and VESTIDO are a match made in circular fashion heaven. By MARBBIE TAGABUCBA.

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
INSIDE OUT
Vogue Philippines

INSIDE OUT

It’s all overcast skies and solitary roads. Something in the air shifts when ANNE CURTIS explores Tokyo.

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
reel.and REAL
Vogue Philippines

reel.and REAL

NICO SANTOS is intent on breaking boundaries and becoming a beacon of pride. By VICTORIA GOLDIEE

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
tracing LIGHT
Vogue Philippines

tracing LIGHT

Behind the firsts in the history of Philippine cinema is a family who draws with light.

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
shadow PLAY
Vogue Philippines

shadow PLAY

ZELDA WILLIAMS wants to make friends with her monsters

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
CHANCE ENCOUNTERS
Vogue Philippines

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

How a series of serendipities helped a women-led artistic team bring Gabriela Serrano’s sophomore short dream-time

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2024