BangonPilipinas: Filipino Para Sa Filipino: United the fashion community stands to help rebuild the Visayas

Interaksyon.com: A rare gathering that could only match its noble cause. On Friday evening, November 29, beyond brands, organizations, and media entities, the Philippine fashion community convened in what is the biggest fashion event of the year.

“Filipino Para Sa Filipino: The Filipino Fashion Industry Bands Together For the Rehabilitation Of the Visayas” was held at the newly opened Samsung Hall at The SM Aura in Taguig City. The fashion show promised 100 designers with 100 outfits all presented for charity and—from the venue, the fashion items up for auction, the time and service given by the production team, fashion models, stylists, and makeup artists—all these were rendered for free.

And for the ticket price of Php1,000, which goes to charity, even invited members of media (who typically get media passes during the local fashion week) couldn’t help but graciously give their donations as well. “After what happened in the Visayas, it’s hard not just to write about it but to give and help till it hurts, too,” one writer for a national publication shared.

Proceeds of the fundraiser will go to Tabang Visayas, “a loose coalition of member civil society organizations working in partnership with the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP), the Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (ULAP), and international aid agencies.” Tabang Visayas is currently coordinating with various local government units in providing relief and rehabilitation to typhoon-ravaged communities in the Visayas.

The event opened with a somber mood as a video featuring the massive destruction and loss caused by super typhoon Yolanda was presented. It ended with a hopeful and encouraging message that the Philippines can rise and rebuild itself from this national tragedy.

The seriousness was gently broken by the ever energetic and positive host Tessa Prieto Valdez, together with model Trishan Cuaso. Confessing that her plume-inspired evening wear by designer Rajo Laurel was actually intended for the cancelled Tatler Ball, her spiel brought laughter among the audience.

According to the event’s production staff, two weeks was all it took to organize and achieve this feat, led by Philippine Daily Inquirer lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson San Juan who wasted no time in collaborating with fashion directors Jackie Aquino, Ogee Atos, Robby Carmona, and fashion designers Randy Ortiz, JC Buendia, and Edgar San Diego.