Karilagan models set grand reunion
MANILA, Philippines - The late Karilagan International founder and executive director Conchita Sunico will be honored in a grand reunion of former Karilagan International models, fashion designers, artists, production and office staff, sponsors, and friends on Friday, Jan. 29. The cocktail-dinner affair features a fashion parade 45 former Karilagan top mannequins and beauty queens. Flying in to Manila to take part in the reunion are former beauty queens Eva Reyes and Yogi Dominguez and top models Techie Ysmael, Dayang-Dayang, Baby Santiago, Anda Carmona, Cynthia Cruz, Marilyn Vinluan, Via Marquez, Nilda Fortaleza, Ana Tuason, Louanna Delfino, Noa Noa and Tess Galang to name a few.
Karilagan models who have confirmed their presence are Ping Valencia, Conchitina Sevilla, Trina Yujuico, Margie Moran, Frannie Aguinaldo, Jennifer Peña, Maritess Alava, Baboo Mondoñedo, Erlynn Bernardez, Emily Relucio, Merlita Antonio, Betchay Santos, Melanie Marquez, Carmina Gutierrez, Suzie Moya, Tisha Dominguez, Carol Caballero and Marian Dominguez. Aureo Alonzo, Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno, and Christian Espiritu are among the Karilagan fashion designers attending the affair. Theater luminaries and former Karilagan artists Chinggoy Alonso, Leo Valdes and Cocoy Laurel have likewise confirmed their attendance.
Sunico was a woman well ahead of her time. Blessed with beauty, brains, money and a lot of guts, she went on from being crowned Miss Philippines in 1938 to become a successful businesswoman, the country’s first tourism commissioner under the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal, an important fashion and theater impresario, civic leader, and Manila’s top society hostess. Invitations to her fabulous parties were much sought after among Manila’s 400. She founded Karilagan International to promote Philippine fashion both here and abroad. The country’s brightest names in fashion took part in Karilagan productions usually held at the Top of the Manila Hilton and Hilton hotels around the world.
An indefatigable fundraiser, she organized concerts to keep the Manila Symphony Orchestra afloat. During the Japanese occupation, she produced shows with a group of friends using the proceeds to run a hospital for the sick and wounded and to help the guerilla movement. At the time of her death in the early 90s, she was the head of the restored Manila Metropolitan Theater where she came up with mega-productions that remain unsurpassed to date.
The Jan. 29 reunion follows the successful get together tribute to Sunico in 1988 shortly before her demise. Former Karilagan International models, designers, artists, and sponsors who would like to attend may contact Angie de la Cruz at tel. 896-2996 or 0918-3867925 for particulars.
