Pinay Blogger Proudly Wears Filipino Designers As She Judges An International Reality Show

Stylish mother of three Cat Arambulo-Antonio wears a lot of hats. Aside from being a fashion blogger, she is an interior designer, a columnist, and the founder of lifestyle brand Catastrophe. But there’s no stopping the multi-hyphenate woman from achieving more—she recently added one more item to her roster of achievements, this time as the first Filipino judge for the international interior design reality show, “The Apartment”.

 

READ: Cat Arambulo-Antonio Is The First Filipino Judge On "The Apartment," The Biggest Interior Design Reality Show In Asia

 

 

According to the social media influencer, the producers initially contacted her last year to be one of the 12 contestants in the show—but after a Skype interview with the team, they offered her a seat as judge this season instead. “This is huge. I kind of wanted to be a contestant as well, but when I received the invitation to become a judge, I was in shock!” quipped Cat. 

“I feel so honored to be the first Filipino judge on The Apartment, and that’s why I wanted to showcase our local designers. A lot of the clothes I packed with me are by Filipinos. Even if they had a stylist for me there, I had already prepared clothes. Some of the Filipino labels I wore were Patty Ang, Rajo Laurel, Mark Bumgarner, Vania Romoff, Harlan and Holden, Banggo Niu, Bea Valdes, Maureen Disini, and Ann Ong.”

 

READ: Here’s A Look Inside Patty Ang’s Industrial Chic Shop

 

The fashionista shares that her statement outfits caught a lot of attention from the contestants, her co-judges, and producers. “Sometimes, they would even make me twirl on the set just to show my outfits!” shares Cat.

 

Cat dons a metallic statement necklace by Ann Ong

 (Photo from @catarambulo, by Todd Anthony Tyler / Karina Smith)

 

The only Filipino judge on the show sports a Harlen and Holden top and Rajo Laurel printed bottoms. 

 (Photo from @catarambulo, by Todd Anthony Tyler / Karina Smith)

 

On Cat is a chic Maureen Disini ensemble.

 (Photo from @catarambulo, by Todd Anthony Tyler / Karina Smith)

 

Aside from her doubletap-worthy OOTDs, the viewers of the show can also witness Cat’s different personalities. “According to the producers, I’m feisty. But the contestants say that I’m more of a ‘mommy figure’ because I was very nice to them. I’ve gone through the same struggles and hardships they went through as an interior designer. I felt an attachment, and as the only woman judge in the show, I think I brought a maternal touch. The contestants were able to talk to me. Some even cried when they opened up to me.”

The Filipina interior designer and media personality is joined by Tyler Wisler, one of New York’s most influential and dynamic designers, and international superstar Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as judges on the show. Award-winning designer and author Jamie Durie also returns as host and mentor this season. 

 

 

 

The Apartment: Passion for Design premiers on March 22, Thursday at 9PM on Sony, channel 35 on SKYcable. 

Lead photos by Hershey Neri and @theapartmenttv