Competition merging design with social enterprise announces finalists

MANILA, Philippines - The Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) “Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition” entered its second phase with the announcement of its 19 finalists last Sept. 19.

For the Apparel category, the competing designers are Benjie Alvarez (Zamboanga), Concordio Sandoja, Jr. (Eastern Samar), Genesis Alcantara (Laguna), Harold Victor Dominguez (Baguio City), Marian Andrada (Manila), Nino Dominic Angeles (Makati City), Noelle Llave (Paranaque City), Pristine Joyce de Guzman (Mandaluyong City), Roland Rense Arzate (Makati City), and Mark Archibald Tamayo (Quezon City), who is also competing in the Accessories category.

The other finalists in the Accessories category are Adante Leyesa (Taguig City), Chynna Roxanne Gonzales (Caloocan City), Earl Carlo Gariando (Pasay City), Heidrun Milan (Tacloban), Joseph Paul Villarosa (Quezon City), Kristal Leen de Guzman (Laguna), Ma. Esperanza Victoria Balingit (Quezon City), Roselyn Fortus (Sta. Mesa), and Wanda Trixi Bandojo (Paranaque City).

Gems of the Deep by Heidrun Milan will feature tikog, pinukpok, treated fish scales, dried seaweed, and wooden beads.

The designers were selected after a rigorous screening process, which took into consideration the indigenous weaves and materials that they plan to use in the production of their designs: piña, jusi, T’nalak, inabe weave, wood carvings, and mother of pearl, to name a few.

The finalists will next be matched with communities of weavers and craftsmen who will produce the raw materials needed for their designs. They will also be mentored by teachers from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA). In addition, through the tripartite partnership between PLDT-Smart, FDCP, and Gawad Kalinga’s Center for Social Innovations in Bulacan, the designers will learn invaluable lessons on how to build a business as a social enterprise. In fact, a GK Atelyer will be built in Bulacan to serve as a fashion house where sewers and craftsmen can work to produce the final collection of the design competition winners. Memey Mendoza, manager for community partnerships and livelihood of Smart Public Affairs, remarks: “Smart, together with Gkonomics, will assist in strengthening the social enterprise while FDCP will provide skills training and coaching towards (their) becoming world- class sewers.” The communities will also be offered communication, Internet connectivity, and business solutions by PLDT and Smart to back up their livelihood and business programs. FDCP president JC Buendia adds, “With this social design competition, we hope to show that fashion can be a tool for community and nation building.”

Weaving the Future finalist Chynna Gonzales plans to use abaca from Eastern Visayas and ruffia from Davao for her accessories collection Flora et Luna.

The winning designers will be announced on Nov. 22, and will receive a two-year scholarship in fashion and marketing from SoFA, P200,000 business capital from SM, cash grant from local government units, and six months’ worth of free subscription to PLDT myDSL residential plan.