Fashion for a cause

Two major galas raised funds for charity

WHILE FASHION is often ridiculed for being a symbol of frivolity, an unnecessary accoutrement to the world crumbling around us, in many ways, fashion helps us build. Fashion constructs the face that we choose to show the world, and fashion can serve as armor in lives that are built on the premise of constant struggle. More than that, as the galas

Business World attended last week can attest, fashion not only builds individual lives, but entire communities. The 2017 Fashion Can Serve gala and fashion show by the breast cancer foundation ICanServe and the annual Red Charity Gala, benefiting the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation transcend the limits of fabric and show that behind the layers of tulle, feathers, and frou-frou lie hearts beating for others.

FASHION CAN SERVE

Pink, pink, pink serves as the rallying color for Breast Cancer month, and in a runway awash with pink, different women and personalities showed their colors on the runway set up in the Fairmont last week for the Fashion Can Serve gala.

The gala serves as a fund-raiser for some of the ICanServe foundation’s projects, including its flagship project Ating Dibdibin, which provides community-based breast screening programs. To date, according to Tang Singson, the foundation’s president, they have partnered with local government units for the projects’ roll-out in communities in Davao, Marikina City, Taguig City, and Muntinlupa City.

“The ICanServe vision is to see all barangays and community health centers in the Philippines to promote and conduct early breast cancer detection and have all local government units provide free or subsidized diagnostics and timely treatments.”

A chunk of the funds this year came from a silent auction that was held outside the ballroom, while socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdes helped auction off a Philip Stein watch and an exquisite strand of golden Jewelmer pearls. The watch was sold off for P90,000, while the necklace of 49 pearls went for P550,000.

Meanwhile, the foundation tapped designers Ito Curata, Mia Arcenas, Rosenthal Tee, Vania Romoff, JC Buendia, and Cary Santiago, along with several luminaries who have survived breast cancer, or are close to people who have had the disease or else have succumbed to it. Many of these stars, such as former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo, walked the runway with their children or grandchildren, as part of this year’s theme, “Why We Fight.”

“Even though we do fight for ourselves, oftentimes, having loved ones to fight for gives one the extra strength for the battle,” said ICanServe Chair Libet Virata. So, for example, Mrs. Floirendo walked the runway with her granddaughter, while Sabrina Panlilio, a cancer survivor, walked the runway with her grandchildren. Some walked the runway in tribute to loved ones who have lost the battles to cancer, such as former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz who lost her sister, fellow beauty queen Rio Diaz, to colon cancer. Another poignant runway story is Asia’s Next Top Model Winner Maureen Wroblewitz, who lost her mother Mariefe Pojas-Wroblewitz, an ICanServe member, to the same illness.

Said Ms. Virata in a speech, “We call ourselves patients, sisters, and hopefully, we will be blessed to be called survivors. But we don’t call ourselves victims.”

RED CHARITY GALA

Meanwhile, over at the ShangriLa at The Fort just this Saturday, Tessa Prieto-Valdes appeared again, hosting her pet project, the Red Charity Gala, which as mentioned above, supports the Philippine Red Cross and her high school’s batch foundation.

This year, Ms. Valdes featured designer Joey Samson, who showed a collection inspired by ecclesiastical themes (if the runway’s cathedral-themed backdrop and the Gregorian chants were any clue), and was supported by local fashion brand Bench, who made great use of two-way mirrors in showing (gasp!) male models in skivvies. And sure, female models in jackets.

Mr. Samson’s collection leans on the dramatic, such as a dress fully made of flounces, appearing like a flamenco skirt, and then spikes on the shoulders on jackets and dresses, as if evoking skyscrapers and ruined cities. Other themes explored were high stiff necklines and long dramatic sleeves reminding one of the habits worn by certain religious orders.

Meanwhile, Ms. Valdes, with the aid of host Tim Yap, made bank for the charities by auctioning off two iPhone X’s provided by Globe (which also matched the auction price of the phones with a donation). Ms. Valdes, in a stunning white gown with panels of tulle, and feathers and quills on her head and a Jewelmer necklace around her neck, auctioned off a set of rubies, and an opera-length Jewelmer necklace, along with trips to Cebu, Boracay, Africa, Southeast Asia, and England.

As mentioned above, Ms. Valdes also served as auctioneer during the ICanServe gala. Her teasing during that gala also rings true, in perhaps, any situation. “Come on, rich people! This is for charity!” —

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT_RED CHARITY GALA BEHIND this year’s Red Charity Gala: (L-R) gala co-chair and host Tessa Prieto Valdes, Bench’s Ben Chan, designer Joey Samson, and co-chair Kaye Tinga.

CRISANN CELDRAN, ICanServe cofounder and an 18 years breast cancer survivor, wearing Rosenthal Tee, with son Xandro wearing Rustan’s, at the Fashion Can Serve gala.

PIA WURTZBACH wearing Cary Santiago at the Fashion Can Serve gala.

THERESA GAN and Leilani Eusebio, breast cancer survivors, both wearing Mia Arcenas, at the Fashion Can Serve gala.

MARGIE MORAN-Floirendo, Miss Universe 1973, wearing a gown by Ito Curata, with granddaughter Cosima wearing Rustan’s, at the Fashion Can Serve gala.

DESIGNER JC Buendia with former beauty queen Gloria Diaz, who participated in the Fashion Can Serve gala in memory of her sister Rio Diaz.