And the Award Goes to...
For the past 17 years, Philippine Tatler has honoured Philippine high society’s best and brightest at its annual ball. For 2018, the magazine recognises the beauty, talent, tenacity, and brilliance of a new roster of awardees, writes Marga Manlapig
Philippine Tatler honours champions of masterful craftsmanship, an iconic fashion designer, a dynamic couple, a true arts advocate, and a woman whose beauty shines from within
S ince it was first held in 2011, the Philippine Tatler Ball has become one of the most anticipated events of the country’s social calendar. It is an evening of glamour and elegance, one attended by high society’s finest, from grand dames and captains of industry, to young belles and up-and-coming leaders.
But the Ball is more than just a night of feasting and celebration. Over the years, it has become an institution that raises awareness and funding for worthy causes. It has also become a venue where those who have risen to become stalwarts in their chosen fields are recognised for their achievements.
This year’s illustrious roster includes two gentlemen who have revolutionised the global jewellery industry with their commitment to sustainability and masterful craftsmanship; a designer whose work has graced catwalks both here and abroad; a lady who has risen from beauty queen to an advocate for peace and creativity; a stylish woman who brings grace and compassion everywhere she goes; and a couple who, while known for their work in retail, are also admired for their work ethic and philanthropic zeal.
Diamond Awardee Jacques Branellec & Manuel Cojuangco
Four decades since they teamed up, Jewelmer—the company co-founded by French pearl farmer Jacques Branellec and Filipino entrepreneur Manuel Cojuangco—has become synonymous with exquisite jewellery made with the most lustrous cultured pearls in the world: golden South Sea pearls. But beyond the luxe factor that their brand exudes, Branellec and Cojuangco’s joint vision of sustainability paired with great craftsmanship has truly become a reality as it has served to raise awareness about the health of the environment, and has also been instrumental in safeguarding the lives and livelihood of the communities they work with.
Such has been Jewelmer’s impact that both men have received awards and accolades over the years. In recognition of their work and their continuing initiatives for environmental protection and support for indigenous peoples, both Branellec and Cojuangco earned the distinction of being knighted by the
French government into its country’s famed Legion of Honour.
Branellec himself once said, “If you innovate with the right intention, you will be rewarded beyond what you can imagine.” In combining expert craftsmanship with incredible creativity, these men have brought forth jewellery that can be cherished from one generation to the next. But by throwing a sincere concern to conserve the natural ecology of the islands and to care for the communities they work with, they have cemented a legacy to admire and emulate for years to come.
Joint Diamond Awardees Jacques Branellec and Manuel Cojuangco each received luggage from Rimowa.
Most Creative Force Rajo Laurel
Many Filipinos assume that when one is born into a political family, one essentially has a future in public service. However, for fashion designer Rajo Laurel, this was certainly not the case.
The grandson of President Jose P Laurel opted not to enter the political arena, stating in late 2018, “You do not need [to be in] politics to serve our country. You can help our people not just by being in politics, but by being in the private sector, [and] by doing good on your own.”
Indeed, Laurel has brought honour to his nation by way of designs that incorporate distinctly Filipino nuances by way of patterns and textile choices. He is inspired by those who came before him, yet puts something that is uniquely his own into every garment in his collections. It can even be said that Laurel is no slouch when it comes to research, having cited the books Curated by Federico de Vera, Mark Higgins and Gino
Gonzalez’ Fashionable Filipinas, and the seminal work Philippines: An Archipelago
of Exchange as points of reference for Archipelago, the collection for his silver anniversary in the fashion industry.
This is Laurel’s way of serving his country: doing well in a field where he has made a mark both here and abroad. Rajo Laurel received a stay at the ShangriLa’s Boracay Resort and Spa.