Seen in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - Running around the same fashion and social circles of Manila can have a myopic side effect: it can lull one into thinking that the city is the central hub that gets the best of everything first when it comes to beauty and style.

Now, while Cebu saw its first MAC store open only last December, an event that brought many a sigh of relief from Cebuanas who used to have to fly to Manila to get their makeup fix the store opening event, held at the Ayala Center Cebu, was a jarring wake-up call to fresh-off-the-plane Manila stragglers, with the Queen City’s finest dressed showing visitors how cosmopolitan southern belles really are.

Lots of ladies wore white in different opacities and fits, in accordance with the event’s Glitter and Ice theme. A couple of glamazons demonstrated how jungle fever is done right with animal prints in sheer fabrics and loose silhouettes, and the shimmer of metallic sheaths added festive sparkle. Wide-legged pants and skinny black jeans were both well-represented, and even color blocking gave a last hurrah in the form of a cute strapless dress. Indeed, the Cebuanas’ fashion tastes are as varied as those of the Manila scenesters: while most of the crowd opted for ‘80s-reminiscent glamour through leopard prints, leonine hair, and stratospheric heels, there were also Zooey Deschanel types who came wearing cute flats, A-line skirts, and black-framed glasses. Other details that were spotted: stripes, knits, lace, twill, tuxedo-style cuts, and the warm tone of burgundy, a refreshing visual respite from the sea of cool grays and whites.