I joined Enchong Dee & team to shoot for a digital magazine cover in Hong Kong – our first international trip together!
Back in January, before I flew home to the Philippines, I messaged Enchong Dee to see if we could squeeze in a catch-up while I was in town. We planned to meet in Makati, and thankfully, our schedules aligned. On the day we met, my Boracay flight was just a few hours away, and he was also about to leave for the U.S. a few days later.
That’s when he shared to me that he’ll be part of the Philippine adaptation of the K-drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay with a July release on Netflix. He stars alongside Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia and Carlo Aquino. A few weeks later, I pitched him to Friday Club. Magazine for a digital cover feature to help promote this show. And fast forward to June, we all flew to Hong Kong, where the magazine’s HQ is, to do the cover shoot.
Non-stop eating with Enchong Dee and team in Hong Kong
Day 1: Checking in + first dinner together
We stayed at W Hong Kong for 4 days, a five-star hotel known for its sweeping views of the West Kowloon Harbour. Enchong and team arrived earlier as they were already in Hong Kong for a Philippine Independence Day event with the Filipino community there.
Enchong Dee’s suite at W Hong Kong. Photo: Lord Acuña
When I landed in the afternoon, I headed straight to his suite after dropping my bags. Just a quick check in on him — and then we were off to dinner with the whole team. Enchong treated us, which was a thoughtful way to kick off the trip. After eating, we walked around Tsim Sha Tsui, soaking in the night lights before heading back to the hotel.
With Enchong Dee and his team in Hong Kong.
Day 2: Back-to-back sumptuous feasts
We started the next morning with a hearty buffet breakfast. Afterwards, Enchong and I made our way to the gym on the 73rd floor of W Hong Kong to burn off some calories. It’s not massive, but who cares when your treadmill comes with unparalleled harbour views?
After freshening up, we ventured out for a late lunch at Honjo. This modern Japanese restaurant blends traditional flavours with creative, contemporary touches. Every dish was beautiful and delicious — check out the highlights in my vlog above.
Dinner at The Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.
Dinner was another treat: this time at The Lounge in Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, where they served lobster and beef. The food was spectacular and the dining experience was immaculate.
After indulging in one delicious meal after another, we’re officially fuelled up and ready to take on the big day tomorrow!
Enchong Dee is Friday Club. Magazine’s July cover guy
Day 3: Cover shoot day
And now, the main event. For the first half of the day, we moved into a larger suite at W Hong Kong, transforming it into a buzzing mini-studio.
One by one, the team trickled in: the stylist unpacking the outfits, hair and makeup setting up their arsenal of brushes and palettes, and accessories laid out like curated treasure. The photographer reviewed mood boards, while the hotel management stopped by to ensure everything was running smoothly. The room slowly came alive as Enchong cycled through look after look, each one revealing a different side of him.
Behind the scenes: Enchong Dee’s different looks
By late afternoon, it was time for the final stretch — and the grandest location yet. We headed to OZONE Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the highest five-star hotel in the city and the third highest in the world. Something felt different in the air, and the team’s excitement never wavered, even after a full day. It was in this very place that the seventh and final look was captured — the one that would go on to be the magazine’s cover.
And that’s a wrap!
The dream team behind Enchong Dee’s cover shoot for Friday Club. Magazine in Hong Kong.
A huge shout out to Friday Club. Magazine for making this unforgettable shoot possible — and to the phenomenal team whose creativity and energy brought every frame to life.
Photography: Paul Sunga
Styling: Kellie Chan
Accessories: Shamseili
Hair & Make-Up: Marco Chan and Alice of The Look
Locations: W Hong Kong and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Wardrobe: Empire Tailors, Shanghai Tang, Kenzo, DEMO
Day 4: A little surprise before heading home
Instax photos with Enchong Dee and team. Photo: Lord Acuña
We sat down for one final buffet breakfast before parting ways — my flight to Singapore, theirs to Manila. I surprised Enchong by pulling out a 13-year-old magazine where he was the cover star, also photographed in Hong Kong. I read aloud the prediction written about him, and it was incredibly heartwarming to realise it had already come true. A beautiful full-circle moment!
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