Row leader

CEBU, Philippines - How the iconic designer led the future of Cebuano fashion. Arcy Gayatin writes: Favorite memory of Rey.

In the mid 80s, when I was just a 22-year old aspiring fashion designer, Rey Santos did more than just encourage me to pursue my dream; he actually guided me and held my hand until I saw that dream realized.

He invited me to join him for my first fashion show and advised me to use my own name as my label. I was just designing from home, and he taught me that I had to open a boutique so I could make a serious business out of my craft. And when I finally opened one, he did the interior design for it himself.

He was a visionary whose ideas were always ahead of his time, and he was the one person I considered to be my mentor. When I was just starting out, I found the local fashion industry to be warm, welcoming, and nurturing. I instantly felt like I belonged and had a place in it, and I had Rey to thank for that.