A Classic Legacy

During the late forties, the fifties and the sixties, the name of Ramon Valera was a byword in the world of haute couture. Women in elite circles would hie to his shop to have him design their ternos, wedding gowns, day and evening wear. (Those who couldn’t quite afford him went to his sister Neniching.)

Indeed, in the heyday of the Filipino master couturier–his clientele called him simply "Ramoning"– his name was mentioned with the same awe and deference as they would the name of Yves St. Laurent decades later.

As an integral part of the ongoing Filipino Heritage Festival, a Valera Retrospective Exhibition, consisting of 68 gowns in all their splendor and elegance, opened at the National Museum of the Filipino People, a fashion show which will continue until Nov. 30. National Museum Director Cora Alvina organized the event for the benefit of the Philippine National Red Cross which was represented that evening by its governor, Rosa Rosal.

Guests were served a six-course dinner while they admired what might rightfully be described as Ramon Valera’s classic legacy. Among the gowns exhibited were those Valera designed for fashion icons of the era: Chona Kasten, Pressy Sison, Chito Madrigal, Luz Puyat, Conchita Sunico, Glecy Tantoco, Gretchen Cojuangco, Rose Marie Jimenez Arenas.

The guest list included diplomats as well as close relatives of Ramoning headed by his youngest sister Lulu Valera Zulueta. Present likewise were some of those who had wore or modelled Valera gowns, among them, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Meldy Cojuangco, Susan Roces, Nedy Tantoco, Bambi Harper and Mary Prieto.

PNRC Governor Rosal thanked the eminent painters who donated art works for the charity auction that followed: Anita Magsaysay Ho, Manuel D. Baldemor, Romulo Olazo, Edwin Wilwayco and Ramon Diaz. Making sure Valera’s legacy of simple elegance would endure were principal sponsors HSBC, Gucci, CCP, Wenesco Enterprises, Ralph Wines and Spirits and Malayan Insurance.

Gowns currently on display were designed for Elvira L. Manahan, Dely Villonco Lazatin, Marge Tambunting, Susie Bayot Ortigas, Rosemarie Arenas, Maritess Pineda, Dely Rodriguez Mendoza, Pressy Sison, Gretchen Cojuangco, Fe Dolor Serrano, Celine Herras, Luz B. Magsaysay, Linda Garcia Campos, Leonila Garcia, Conchita A. Ledesma, Nelly Lovina, Lualhati A. Cojuangco, among many others.