Viva Valera!

He was a fashion designer way ahead of his time. He revised the Maria Clara, a four-piece ensemble consisting of a blouse, skirt, overskirt and scarf, by highlighting the bell sleeves, which many eventually adopted. He transformed the no-one-dared-to-alter terno into a one-piece silhouette that did away with hooks and was fastened with a zipper. He further shocked the alta sociedad de Manila when he intentionally discarded the panuelo from the terno. He ventured into bold colors and combinations unheard of. He created the close-open technique, which was usually a full-length opera coat that revealed an elegant fully-beaded dress. He did all these and more. He was an artist of national stature.

His name was Ramon Valera – Don Ramon Valera.

What better way to preserve the legacy and share the memory of this Filipino designer who was both a gentleman and a perfectionist than with a beautiful coffee-table book that will serve as an inspiration to our young fashion practitioners?

A woman of substance and a catalyst of worthy causes, Nedy Tantoco, president of the Tantoco Rustia Foundation, immediately tapped her friends who were just as eager and willing to put the task to work. The hard-working committee included Irene Martel Francisco, the publisher of the Philippine Tatler who generously sponsored the book in memory of her beloved mother Luz Puyat Martel, a good friend and ever so loyal client of Don Ramon; former leading fashion model now turned successful fashion designer Criselda Lontok and lover of the arts Danny Dolor curated the gowns; journalists Glenn Gale and Marge Enriquez chronicled the life and styles of the grand master; and writer-for-all-seasons Abe Florendo edited the book.

In Cebu, the well-attended launch of the book, entitled Valera, Cada Traje es Una Obra Maestra, was hosted by the Cebu Waterfront Hotel headed by its president Rexlon Gatchalian, and hands-on general manager Marco Protacio. Jing Ramos, editor of the glossy magazine Zee, and florist Pinky Chang ably assisted them. Philippine Airlines was the flag carrier.

Gracing the affair of the season were Manila-based visitors such as the young and full of promise to do well Michael Huang, a trustee of the same organization, Criselda Lontok, writers Abe Florendo and Glenn Gale, fashionable Goya Reynoso, a niece of Ramon Valera, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Edu Jarque.

Cebu’s firm believers of la buena vida con compasion were in attendance. They included the city’s First Lady the ever so active Margot Osmeña, trendsetter in more ways than you can ever imagine Rosebud Sala, sterling party planner par excellence Teresin Mendezona, forever reaching out philanthropists Annie Aboitiz and Amparito Lhuillier, the working socialites Marguerite Lhuillier and Joy Onglatco, enterprising young ladies Iris Arcenas, Rose Hennessey, Valerie Lim, and Rona Barba.

After the launch, a brief fashion show was the big surprise of the evening. Selected Cebuano designers, such as Philip Rodriguez, Arcy Gayatin, Oj Hofer, Protacio Empaces, Jude Elardo, and Marichu Tan, showcased their own Valera-inspired gowns that were received with much admiration and warm applause.