Three guys that represent the new Rustan’s Man are highlighted in this series: businessman Anton Medalla, photographer Ralph Mendoza, and artist and chef EJ Lagman.
Anton Medalla’s Life in Design
Keeping his career, family, and hobbies balanced, he is a do it all dad. His values and upbeat outlook keep his wardrobe feeling classic yet fresh. Get to know Anton Medalla as he navigates the fast-paced business sector. Styled in the latest brands and collections from Rustan’s Man 2.0, he shares a set of values that best define what a dynamic lifestyle is all about.
Drawing inspiration from people, culture, nature, sports, experiences, and spaces, Anton Medalla has always been passionate about design. His businesses: an artisan eyewear brand, a contemporary golf apparel label, and an innovative construction company are all testaments to it.
Since starting a family and raising his new-born daughter, Anton and his wife have traded night outs for early mornings with family and friends. Working from home gave them the opportunity to design a rich lifestyle with a healthy balance of work and family dynamics.
What do you love about being an entrepreneur? How do you express your creativity through your businesses?
What I love about being an entrepreneur is the autonomy and freedom to pursue businesses akin to the things I am into. It also gives me the opportunity to purvey ideas and express creativity through branding, products, and service.
How does design shape your perspective on business and life? Where do you draw inspiration for all your design pursuits?
I have always been passionate about design, the intricate details, the way things come together, and the feeling it gives people. In a way, it has made me more observant and detail-oriented, which has become part of who I am and what I do. Design is everywhere, and always comes out where we choose to look. I personally draw inspiration from people (friends, family, artists, etc.) different cultures, nature, sports, experiences, and spaces to name a few.
What does a typical workday look like for you? What’s the best part of your everyday routine?
A typical work day is waking up (normally caring for my daughter), freshening up, making a cup of coffee, meditating, and then I start with work. For our retail business, apart from research, planning, and conceptualizing, the everyday work is normally comprised of checking our website, sorting orders, booking deliveries, and packing and dispatching product orders. We also check our brand’s socials to monitor our reach and impact, as well as create new content for marketing and brand awareness. On the days I schedule my workout, I normally leave for the gym around 12 pm and get back to the grind by 2 pm. The best parts of my day are the moments in between—the first sip of coffee, the walk to my car after a good workout, and the mini breaks where I get to spend time with my daughter.
How has starting a family changed your lifestyle? As a new dad, how do you balance your work and family dynamics?
Since we had our daughter we traded most of our nightlife for earlier mornings, meals/playdates with family, friends, and their kids, and other activities centered around our daughter. As both my wife and I work from home, we are able to fix our schedules in a way that complements each other and our responsibilities as parents. This is one of the best perks of being able to work from home, we get to spend more time with our daughter.
What’s your favorite after-work activity? How do you unwind after a busy work week?
My favorite after-work activity is spending time with my daughter, conversing with my wife, or putting on a show or a movie to unwind.
What does being “On the Move” mean for you?
“On the Move” for me is motion in a state of flow. It’s doing what I need to do every day for the different roles I play and the responsibilities that come with it. It is purposeful action for progression.
What does your everyday wardrobe look like? And what was your favorite look from the “Rustan’s Man On the Move” shoot?
My everyday wardrobe is composed of pieces that are functional and comfortable—mostly with a minimal aesthetic. My favorite look from the shoot would have to be the Tailor Vintage Airotec shirt, paired with the khaki shorts, American Trench socks, and Satorisan trainers. Each piece is pure quality and the outfit as a whole was incredibly comfortable, stylish, and versatile.
Life Through Ralph Mendoza’s Lens
Adventurous, tasteful, and curious, he is a jet setter who finds inspiration for his unique style wherever he goes. Having explored cities all over the world, his attention to detail is second to none. Get behind the lenses of Ralph Mendoza, one honest photograph after the other. Styled in the latest brands and collections from Rustan’s Man 2.0, he shares a set of values that best define what a dynamic lifestyle is all about.
Photography allows Ralph Mendoza to collect souvenirs throughout his life. He finds pleasure in capturing visual memories he could always look back to. Creativity is second nature to him after a long walk in the park or even during a shoot. He highly appreciates the idea of improvisation, keeping his outputs honest and fresh.
What do you love about photography?
Photography is a good way to collect souvenirs throughout life. Whether it’s on the street, on holiday, or in the studio, I find pleasure in capturing visual memories. It’s a fun, tactile activity. Photography is the art of seeing, as many have pointed out before me.
What’s the most memorable photo you took?
I guess “Ocean Pool.” This was shot in Hong Kong back in 2017. Just to see it by pure chance that day is always a special thing to recall. It’s in the memory bank, as I always tell myself.
What does a busy day look like for you? What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
A busy day for me is at a photo shoot with any of my favorite local clients. I’m constantly either in pre or post-production or handling a print order. I’m always thankful to be able to work and create.
When do you feel the most creative? Where do you find inspiration for your creative pursuits?
Either after a long walk in the park or after that first layout at a shoot. I like an icebreaker layout, a lightbulb idea to warm the whole team up. I think a good percentage of my style is improvised because I like to rely on instinct and natural light. Improvising keeps the work honest and fresh, which is the goal of every image I make.
What’s the best way to wind down after a week of back-to-back shoots?
Rest and exercise boost productivity. As much as I like to rack up the shutter count on my cameras, I don’t mind taking it slow, making tea, doing long stretches, and curling on the bed like my three-year-old cat.
I also like to travel, drive out, and treat the brain to something new. Days off are just as important.
What does being “On the Move” mean for you?
“On the Move” is about staying curious. Curiosity feeds creativity. Curiosity is an underrated tool in the toolbox.
What does your everyday wardrobe look like? And what was your favorite look from the “Rustan’s Man On the Move” shoot?
I need to be comfortable in my line of work since photography is a very active, physical job. I go for lots of worn-in workwear with stretchable fabric.
I love all the looks I wore at the shoot, but if I had to pick two, I would say the Viña Romero shirt mixed with the Kelvin Morales pants. I like supporting local brands and feel at ease and ready to go about my day.
EJ Lagman’s Life in Surftown
Effortlessly cool and endlessly creative, he is a free spirit with a distinct style that reflects his unpretentious and continuously evolving personality. Get up close and personal with EJ Lagman as he shapes the narrative of Filipino cuisine in the thriving restaurant industry. Styled in the latest brands and collections from Rustan’s Man 2.0, he shares a set of values that best define what a dynamic lifestyle is all about.
After studying culinary and juggling odd jobs in the kitchen, EJ Lagman opened his restaurant MAKAN—an experimental Filipino restaurant in the heart of surf town San Fernando, La Union. It prides itself on tying together nostalgia and the joys of dining; blending experienced Filipino flavors, creativity, culinary techniques, and everything beautiful about sharing a plate of food. MAKAN, for him, is an expression of what Filipino food can be.
How does food inspire your creativity?
Food inspires my creativity the same way skateboarding does: when I skate, I try to do a sequence of tricks in a line, using different obstacles (if possible), while keeping the flow going. With food, a complete dish is the line, the cooking methods are the different obstacles, and the different ingredients are the tricks. The challenge here is the creativity in dealing with all those different tricks so they all line up properly. I try to maintain a flow when I cook. That’s basically when the entire process is harmonious—from getting your mise en place together up until the finished dish.
How would you want diners to experience Filipino food at your restaurant, MAKAN?
We call it experimental Filipino food because we’re trying to push the boundaries of what Filipino food could really be, but we still want our diners to experience a bit of nostalgia and just have fun while eating. Sharing is caring! And eating with your hands is encouraged.
I chose Filipino food for its simplicity and ‘cause we didn’t learn anything about it in culinary school, so I thought I could reimagine the dishes I had growing up with flavors and techniques.
How do you start your day? What’s the best part of your morning routine?
I start my day by walking on the beach with my wife, Alex and our two dogs, Buckwheat and Soba. Buckwheat’s a Great Dane and Soba’s a Boxer, and they have two very different personalities. My wife isn’t really a morning person and I am, so our morning walks are really special ‘cause I feel like the four of us really get to spend that time together as a family.
How does an off-duty day look like for you? How do you wind down after a busy week?
What is an off-duty day? (Laughs) Our week really starts on Wednesdays with the weekends being the busiest. I guess ideally we’d be winding down on Mondays and Tuesdays but usually, that’s when we go to Manila for a supply run. If we do get to stay at home on those days, I’m usually on a board (surf or skate) and/or just lounging around really.
What does being “On the Move” mean for you?
For me, it means productivity. Whether it’s for the mind, body, or soul, being on the move means doing good in any of those three respects. I believe life’s all about balance and anything you do to complement that is a win.
What does your everyday wardrobe look like? And what was your favorite look from the “Rustan’s Man On the Move” shoot?
I throw on anything light and airy. I live in a beach town so it’s always warm and humid.
I’d live in that Faherty Kona Camp Shirt if I could! I sweat a lot but that button-up kept me nice and cool all day!
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