MANILA, Philippines — Fashion can be more than what people are wearing at the moment. Beyond stitching, textile and design, a single piece of clothing contains intangible stories of history, and expresses the richness of one's heritage.
Like any other art, fashion has social, political, cultural, economic and environmental impacts and consequences. In its own way, it gives understanding and awareness on the world we live in.
Manila Fashion Festival
Manila Fashion Festival is now Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival for its 8th season, with infinite styles as its theme. For the first time, the event will have its first photography and videography forum called “Secrets of the Pros,” where known players in the industry will share their techniques on how to get the perfect shot.
The event also increases its scope in terms of talent. Designers from Cebu and Davao presented their works last April 13 in Manila.
These designers include Aztec Barba, Edgar Buyan, Dodjie Batu, Benjie Panizales, Windell Mira, Bamba Limon, Emi Englis, and Egay Ayag from Davao; and Jun Escario, Dexter Alazas, Philipp Tampus, Protacio, Marichu Tan, OJ Hofer, Mike Yapching, and Philip Rodriguez from Cebu.
These efforts, according to festival organizers, are geared toward positioning the country in the regional fashion map.
'Marawing Salamat'
Some of the pieces shown in the recent 'Marawing Salamat' fashion gala. CCP/Orly Daquipil
Through their designs and artistry, acclaimed Filipino designers and performing artists went beyond self-expression to universality to help their Filipino brothers living in the war-ravaged city of Marawi.
The fashion event, "Marawing Salamat: The Best of Opera and Fashion for Marawi," aimed to raise funds for the Duyog Marawi project of the Prelature of Saint Mary’s in Marawi. Established by Bishop Edwin de la Peña of Marawi, together with the Redemptorist missionaries, Duyog Marawi means “to accompany Marawi” toward recovery and reconstruction.
Beyond the physical rehabilitation of the city, the real foundation must be built in the hearts of its people. According to Bishop de la Pena, faith and culture should be part of the rebuilding process, and that people’s rights are always protected and upheld.
Bishop de la Peña identified 13 communities in Marawi, which will serve as the Peace Corridor, and the loci of their operations for rehabilitation.
Designers Edgar Allan, Albert Andrada, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Eddie Baddeo, Delby Bragais, Tony Cajucom, Jing Chua, Steve de Leon, Peri Diaz, Toni Galang, Rocky Gathercole, Nolie Hans, Peter Lim, Roland Lirio, Ricci Lizaso, Jojie Lloren, Edgar Madamba, Jontie Martinez, Ole Morabe, Jerome Navarro, Richard Papa, Oskar Peralta, Lito Perez, Nardie Presa, Barge Ramos, Rholand Roxas, Renee Salud, Ditta Sandico, Edgar San Diego and Fanny Serrano showcased their designs, drawing inspirations from the glorious, bygone era of the Carnival Queens (circa 1908-1939).
Dubbed “The Pomp and Pageantry of Philippine Carnival Queens,” the fashion event has seen a breathtaking parade of modern Filipiniana creations amid the beautiful kundiman and Pinoy pop songs, with the UST Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. It was conceptualized by Zardo A. Austria and directed by Raymond Villanueva and Nathan De Leon.
Meanwhile, the fund-raising event was more than just fashion show. It created an extraordinary synergy of the art forms - fashion and opera.
Audiences enjoyed the best of operas, with arias from "Tosca," "Carmen," "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," "I Pagliacci," "Faust," "La Boheme" and "Turandot," among others, interpreted by an all-Filipino cast from the Lyric Opera of the Philippines.
Tenors Sherwin Sozon, Randy Gilongo and John Glenn Gaerlan, baritones Noel Azcona and John Ocampos, sopranos Ana Feleo, Rica Nepomuceno, Mary Patrice Pacis, Ton Ton Pascual and Naomi Sison, with Peter Porticos on piano, rendered beautiful arias to the delight of the crowd.
Providing musical accompaniment was the UST Symphony Orchestra, a CCP resident company, performing under the baton of American guest conductor, Maestro William Barkhymer.
There was also a tribute to opera and fashion icons such as National Artist Ramon Valera, Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, Ben Farrales, Aureo Alonzo, Christian Espiritu, Joe Salazar and Salvacion Lim-Higgins of Slims, opera legends Irma Potenciano, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, couple Jose and Teresita Agana-Santos, Armida Siguion Reyna, Nomer Son and Noel Velasco, among others.