Honeylet hosts lunch with fashion for ASEAN lady VIPs

It was Honeylet Avanceña’s turn to show them that it’s more chic in the Philippines, as President Duterte’s life partner turned on the charm offensive by hosting lunch yesterday for the spouses of the ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners at the Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel.

Since it was a private event, members of the media, including photographers, were barred from covering the leisurely lunch, which was capped off by a fashion show of updated and stylized Filipiniana finery by designer Randy Ortiz. Dubbed “Manila Wear,” the show featured the designer’s 32-piece collection, including three ternos, several men’s wear ensembles, and a bridal gown.

Only six spouses, including First Ladies Rosmah Mansor of Malaysia and Iriana Widodo of Indonesia, whom Ortiz both dressed up during last Sunday’s ASEAN gala dinner at the SMX Convention Center, were able to attend the event.

Other attendees, according to Ortiz, included Maria Medialdea, wife of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

The group feasted on Pitik Lobster-Pomelo Cocktail in Palawan Honey-Kalamansi Dressing, Cream of Wing Bean Malunggay Soup with Crispy Tinapa Flakes, and Grouper Fillet in Lemon Grass Panko Crust Set on Native Pechay, Kalamansi, and Kutsay Cream Sauce and Organic Upland Rice. For dessert, they had Trio of Filipino Delights consisting of maja con latik, jackfruit-banana purse, and pan-fried suman.

Not only were guests polite with their applause, they were said to be enthusiastic, as Ortiz showed one look after another, including embroidered pieces and new dresses fashioned from vintage fabrics or mixed with malong from the South, and inabel from the North. His color scheme ranged from the natural colors of piña as well as green, pink, red, black, and gold.

“I used a lot of indigenous materials like piña, some of which are also vintage,” said Ortiz. “Despite being Filipiniana-inspired, I tried not to make the collection look too native through various forms of embroidery.”

A number of the ladies were so impressed, particularly the secretary of a government department in Myanmar and Mansor, that they invited Ortiz to show in their respective countries. Mansor, the Malaysian first lady, also ordered a long dress from the designer.

“The applause was non-stop,” said fashion director Jackie Aquino. “I attribute this to Randy’s experience and eye for details. He really knows what looks work onstage and in real life.”

Ortiz shared the stage with two performers — singer Floyd Tena and violinist Andreo Lukas.