A sad but loving farewell for Aureo

Dressed formally for a wedding and wanting to kill time, I decided to say hello to Aureo Alonzo in his new home that Marilou Magsaysay, Ping Valencia and I had just moved him into a few weeks prior. The five-story residence in Malate was set up by a congregation composed of compassionate Spanish and Filipina nuns (Religious Servants of Jesus of Charity) for seniors and the aged. With spacious private rooms, a beautiful chapel and a mini gym, it is a lovely place for those who are alone or who have nowhere to go to in the twilight of their years.

Upon quietly entering the air-conditioned room and wanting to test his eyesight — Aureo had been recuperating from a cataract operation, I asked him from afar, “Auring, kilala mo ako?” (Auring, do you know me?), and he immediately replied with a smile, “Frannie Aguinaldo.” Automatically we held hands and with his keen eyesight, he asked why I was in a gown and alajada, even complimenting my dangling earrings that reminded him of Spain. With his artistic eye giving me a once-over, he smiled with approval.

As we chatted and reminisced, he mentioned that he was somewhat disappointed with certain family members and friends he had helped. These people had turned a blind eye on his failing health and dwindling funds, which he needed for regular dialysis, blood transfusions, medications and daily nursing care. Realizing that he had spoiled so many who had lived and worked with him, he took it all in stride despite the extreme hardships he had to endure, especially when he finally lost his Malate house due to a longstanding loan and his utilities were permanently cut off. 

The last show he attended was the ill-advised fashion tribute in November that was put up by his office assistant and several of his former apprentices. It was supposedly to raise funds for his medical bills. Alas, he was lucky to get a month’s supply of groceries, medical supplies and treatments because what they gave him was a pittance compared to what was tallied from the ticket sales and sponsors. Aureo complained that he felt used because his faithful clients and friends were tapped to attend and even be part of the show, yet he hardly received anything substantial after the so-called accounting was done.

Being a gentle, sweet soul, he was not one to dwell on the negative and regaled me with kwentos about various personalities without being mean or gossipy. He proudly stated that all the First Ladies had been his clients, starting with Luz Magsaysay up to Loi Ejercito. Luz was his favorite — she always made it a point to wear an Aureo Alonzo terno for every Magsaysay Awards event until she passed away in 2004.

With his birthday a little more than a month away, he reminded me that he wanted our group to organize a simple celebration on July 19 with Marycel, his adopted son’s wife. This was a yearly tradition and we had gotten the nuns’ approval for a merienda cena in their spacious dining room. He further mentioned how pleased he was with the ongoing room decoration that Mila Wales, Malou and Elaine Villar had done with small furniture pieces, curtains, bed linens and appliances that were gifted to him since he had only brought minimal clothing and personal effects after he had to leave his residence.

As I bade him goodbye that evening, I realized how he had such a deep faith in God despite the difficulty he was having struggling to survive and enduring life’s many twists and turns. He kissed my hand gently, smiled sweetly and softly whispered in my ear, “I love you.”

Aureo Roldan Alonzo was one of the troika that took over the Philippine fashion scene with the passing of the legendary icon Ramon Valera.  Together with Pitoy Moreno and Ben Farrales, each of them was dubbed with a royal-sounding title: Pitoy was the Fashion Czar, Ben was the Dean of Philippine Fashion and Aureo was the Fashion Emperor. They were the top choices of the moneyed and social set when they needed travel ensembles and jackets, debutantes’ gowns, bridal dresses and formal dresses. Ready-to-wear clothing or RTW was not yet an option, nor was it readily available. 

Aureo was a favorite not only of the best-dressed Filipinas but he also had a roster of clients that included European and Arabian royalty and nobility, heads of state, diplomats and international female A-listers.

Born not with a silver spoon but with a sewing needle, at an early age he opted to go into the beauty arena instead of finishing his schooling. Adept at hairstyling and makeup, he was a whiz at illustrating, designing, cutting and sewing the dresses he envisioned.

During various European fashion trips in the mid 1960s to the 1970s, models Babygirl Baluyot Fricke, Marilou Kahn Magsaysay and Geny Baltao saw for themselves how the heavily beaded evening gowns they had just paraded on the catwalk would be bought on the spot by the German, Spanish and English clients in the audience.

Since most of these women were many sizes bigger than the models, Aureo would work feverishly overnight to rip the clothes and sew them back in the exact size of the new customers. Missing beads would be replaced with the same pattern as the original. With his excellent workmanship, there was nary a sign that these gowns had just been swiftly adjusted from a size 4 to the buyer’s size 8 to 12 and the new owner would be delighted with her purchase the next day.

His muse was the quintessential model, Ping Valencia. She stood out with her elegant grace on the ramp and was the signature model in all his shows from 1967 onwards. When she married violinist Rony Rogoff and was based in Paris, Aureo once again needed her to be with him as he set off to compete for the prestigious 1975 Camel Award in Cervinia, Italy. He bested nine other finalists (all Europeans) by showing four outstanding gowns that he conceptualized from beginning to end — cutting, sewing and embellishing them himself. One criteria for evaluating quality included turning the dresses inside out to look for the slightest flaw in workmanship. As he won the award, fashion icon and judge Yves Saint Laurent complimented Aureo by stating, “Here is a man who knows his business.”

Bringing honor and glory to the Philippines was one of Aureo’s greatest feats. By presenting fashion shows that always included Philippine songs, dance and fabrics (embroidered piña, jusi and hablon), together with rich satins, intricate laces, lightweight silk jerseys, versatile cottons and linens, he proudly showed the world our rich culture and artistry. The terno and Maria Clara would always be included on the ramp in different stylized versions.

Aureo Alonzo passed away on July 7 at Makati Medical Center, a week-and-a-half short of turning 86 years old.   

Upon hearing about his passing, Aureo’s former models sent the messages below.

Margie Moran Floirendo: I particularly like Aureo’s fit and the fine workmanship of his beadwork. His terno sleeve was one of the best constructed. Aureo was a humble person despite his greatness … a loving person that fueled his passion in everything he did and in everyone he mentored.

Ana Arambulo: I remember Aureo for his sunny, pleasant disposition. His favorite expression was “fabulosa.” He was the life of the dressing room and was never mean to anyone. The one thing I admired about him was his kindness to the ladies who helped us look pretty and beautiful for his show.

Anda Carmona: Aureo discovered me. I was a gawky 19-year-old when he came and plucked me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to Tita Conching Sunico. That was the start of my modeling career.

Trina Yujuico Kalaw: In the year or two that I had a chance to model for Aureo, I never heard him raise his voice. One time he was so frustrated with me because, at 90 pounds, I could not gracefully wear a heavy, bejeweled headdress. I was so sure that I would lose my balance and fall off the ramp. But there was petite Aureo holding my hand for security with his famous smile while I modeled the whole outfit without any incident.

Elsa Payumo: An artist of the highest caliber. Compassionate to all.

Jojo Kierulf Zabarte: Auring, as we used to call him, had an eternal smile. He will be remembered for his gentleness and kindness.  He made exquisite beaded clothes for his clients.

Zen Lopez: What a kind and gentle soul he was.

Techie Ysmael Bilbao: We traveled a lot with mama Chona, together with the other designer friends. He took my brothers (Ramoncito and Louie) and me around town, shopping and treating us to meals, fashion show breaks in Europe and the US. I will miss him terribly.

Marina Benipayo: I would best describe Tatang as a generous soul — both in heart and in mind. His falling ill shocked most of us because we all remember him as an energetic and expressive person, never failing to think about others all the time.

Toni Serrano Parsons: Aureo … he was kind-hearted, charitable and honorable!  In other words, he was a real great friend.  Hard to find a gem such as him!

Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo: Auring, as we called him, was a gentle soul.  He was endearing and caring.  No one has yet equaled Aureo’s mastery of beadwork.  Philippine couture has lost an icon.

Beng Poblete: Thank you, Aureo Alonzo, for giving me the opportunity to model for you and travel the world with my dear friends. Because of you, I have loads of fond and cherished memories that I will treasure forever. My prayers for your eternal peace, Tatang.

Patty Betita: I remember Tatang, as he was fondly called, as mahilig magkwento whenever we went to his shop for fittings. One time I arrived and saw him busy attending to a customer in his “beauty parlor” then multitasking, giving instructions to his “angels” (wardrobe assistants, mananahi).  I did his very last show in October 2013 and am proud and honored to have been part of that show. Will miss Tatang. He’s one of a kind.

Celine Magat-Lopez:  He had such a welcoming aura. He  treated me like I was one of his own. Such a wonderful man with great talent.

Izza Gonzales-Agana: In spite of his achievements, Tatang remained simple, down to earth with a good heart.

John Gaddi: Rest in peace, Tatang Aureo Alonzo. Thank you for sharing your talent and the wonderful memories.

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