‘Why We Fight’

ICanServe Foundation’s Fashion Can Serve 2017 was a resounding

success with designers JC Buendia, Ito Curata, Cary Santiago,

Vania Romoff, Mia Arcenas and Rosenthal Tee supporting a great cause through the event’s fashion show.

The six designers showcased their Holiday 2017 collections to send this year’s message of hope and raise support for ICanServe Foundation and its advocacy of awareness and early detection of breast cancer. Guests enjoyed sumptuous food and drinks prepared by Raffles Makati before the fashion show.

Fashion Can Serve’s new message for 2017 is “Why We Fight.” The first Filipina to win Asia’s Next Top Model Maureen Wroblewitz is the face of Fashion Can Serve this year. Her mother, a former ICanServe volunteer, succumbed to breast cancer.

ICanServe Foundation president Tang Singson said, “Our theme emphasizes the reason why persons diagnosed with breast cancer choose to fight: They do this for their spouses, children and grandchildren.”

ICanServe Foundation chair Libet Virata shared, “Last year’s show had the theme ‘We Don’t Walk Alone,’ and the muses walked with a family member or friend who accompanied them on their journey battling cancer. Our theme this year is ‘Why We Fight’ and our muses included mother and her young child, or grandmothers and grandchild. We also have some supporters who walk in honor of a family member or friend who passed away.”

ICanServe Foundation founder Kara Alikpala said, “There is life during and after cancer. The mere fact you have breast cancer survivors walking down the ramp is showcasing hope and life in motion. Some of the organizers and women in the audience are also cancer survivors brimming with hope and rallying for fellow survivors. The designers on their own spread awareness and information so patients know how to navigate their healing journey.”

The event was hosted by Raffles Makati with partners Philip Stein and Jewelmer. Major sponsors included Security Bank, Del Monte Philippines and Manulife. Minor sponsors were PAGCOR, Mundo Design+Build, Ideal Vision Center and Mercedes-Benz. Media partners included The Philippine

STAR, 2nd Avenue and ETC.

Gloria Diaz in JC Buendia, Pia Wurtzbach in Cary Santiago and Margie Moran-Floirendo in Ito Curata.

ICanServe Foundation chairwoman and breast cancer survivor Libet Virata in JC Buendia with grandchildren Lovisa and Eleus wearing Rustan’s.

(From left) Margarita Fores, Libet Virata, ICanServe Foundation fundraising committee member Camille Samson and co-founder Kara Alikpala.

Breast cancer survivors Theresa Gan and Leilani Eusebio both wearing Mia Arcenas.

Fashion Can Serve committee member and breast cancer survivor Sabrina Panlilio in Mia Arcenas with grandchildren Sophia and Zoya wearing Rustan’s.

Sister, cousin and friend of breast cancer survivors Wynn Wynn Ong in JC Buendia with grandsons Marco and Lucas wearing Rustan’s.

Breast cancer survivor Mai Aguiting in Vania Romoff with sons Johann and Jakob wearing Rustan’s.

(From left) Max Lagdameo, Sylvia and Kit Zobel, Gloria Diaz and Mike de Jesus.

(From left) May and Lingling Yao, Pia Wurtzbach and Emerson Yao.

TootsyAngara,AlexEduqueandChuchu Madrigal.

Mia Arcenas, Solenn Heussaff and Ludovic Branellec.

Fashion Can Serve committee member and breast cancer survivor Sandy Lamb-Moran in Ito Curata.

Breast cancer survivor Caren Torres-Rama in Vania Romoff.

Margie Moran-Floirendo with Monica and Cosima Ugarte.

Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy.

Luch Zanirato and Ava Daza.