MANILA, Philippines - Each journey in life, be it personal or professional, allows you to feel that the process is just as exciting as the end result.
Our own journey kicked off to a fabulous start. The flight to London on Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi with our head of delegation Mia Borromeo, and runway divas Valerie de los Santos, Melissa Frye, Justine Gabionza and Karina Cabiling, made us realize that the romance of travel is definitely back in vogue. With a Filipino captain and just marvelous Filipina flight attendants, the whole experience was relaxed and made us feel right at home. You just realize that the power of the Filipino is indeed worldwide as we share our gentle culture in various professions.
The Victoria House was the setting for the London Philippine Fashion Show staged by Prospero World — headed by Sita Schutt and Sandra Lauckner-Rothschild — a British philanthropy advisory board, for the benefit of Centex of the Ayala Foundation.
We arrived at the venue refreshed and ready for the day’s activities. With fittings and rehearsals looming, the able team of Rah Productions headed by Paul Swaby, assisted by Olivia Smart, made our work so easy as they left no detail unattended. Like many others before me, I have often wondered how fashion shows are done in other countries. The answer? The same way it’s done here with just the language as the difference but the goal always remains the same. The familiar “organized chaos,” as usual, happens in every backstage dressing room.
The evening began with an exhibit prepared by world-renowned Filipino brands such as Mich Dulce, Lulu Tan Gan, Celestina, Joyce Makitalo and Wynn Wynn Ong. London’s well-heeled came out in full support with no less than Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece in attendance. The Philippine delegation was brightly represented by Kit Zobel, Dedes Zobel, Patricia Zobel de Ayala, Cristina Zobel de Ayala, Anton San Diego, Melo Esguerra, Ferdie Salvador and Carla Sibal.
The fashion show was divided into two glorious parts. Part One, the Couture Collection, featured the collections of the country’s best and brightest fashion innovators such as Wynn Wynn Ong, Lulu Tan Gan, Rajo Laurel, Jun Escario, Randy Ortiz, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago together with London-based designers Lesley Mobo and Jasper Garvida. Another striking element of the show was the stunning photographs of Neal Oshima complementing the collections. You could hear the collective ooh’s and aah’s from a very excited and surprised audience.
Part Two was a special treat as the collections were presented onstage by Models For A Day with the creations of Lulu Tan-Gan, Silk Cocoon, Bergamo, Jun Escario, Rajo Laurel, Michael Cinco and Josie Natori. From bankers to businessmen and women, a doctor, an actor and a ballet dancer, our featured mannequins not only walked the runway but helped raise the money for our charity as well. I could hardly believe what I was seeing and hearing as the traditionally stiff-upper-lipped British cheered each model-for-a-day as they walked down the runway.
It took me over a week to get over the exhilaration from such a triumphant experience for the Philippines. Not only did a different audience get a new perspective on our country but it also gave one enough hope for the bright future that’s in store for every Filipino, especially the scholar recipients of Centex. Fernando Zobel was beaming with so much pride as the event raised over P10 million for Ayala Foundation that will give the chance for hundreds of disadvantaged yet gifted children the opportunity to have the education they deserve.