A celebration of Filipino artistry
The Balik Saya project, headed by the Intramuros Administration and Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, recently held a design competition to celebrate Filipino artistry.
The culminating activity was held at the newly opened National Museum of Natural History. Bagatsing formally launched the night saying, “Now you see the beauty of Manila’s Fifth District, which is rich in history, culture and arts — Intramuros, the National Museum, Rizal Park, National Library, so many museums. But behind and outside this beauty, there is also a beast, the beast of burden which is poverty. Call me idealistic but I truly believe that through promoting my district via tourism, I hope to be able to bring more awareness that more jobs can be generated — livelihood, skills enhancement — and can open so many doors to other opportunities. Also because we have a lot of creative talent here that are honorable, and hopefully all this will create more awareness that you do not need to look very far if you really want to help and make a difference and touch people’s lives.” Judges for the competition were Inno Sotto (head judge), Criselda Lontok, National Museum director Jeremy Barns, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Lulu Tan-Gan, Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz, SoFA Design Institute dean Tobias
Guggenheimer and Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez. The fashion show opened with the collection of fashion designer and project mentor Jojie Lloren and went on to showcase the creations of the 15 finalists.
Three designers were given special awards. Fashion+Arts+Business Creatives Choice awardee was Christian Bulasag from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, who received a P100,000-scholarship. SoFA Choice (or the Fashion Visionary Award) given to the most creative and innovation piece went to Vianka Lorraine Castro from St. Scholastica’s College.
Rana Vashti Sacramento from St. Scholastica’s College got the Rustan’s Iconic Award for her work seen as the most promising in retail design. Winners for the Balik Saya design competition were Margaux Gustilo from St. Scholastica’s College, fifth place with P20,000 cash prize; Lou Galang from St. Scholastica’s College, fourth place with P25,000 cash prize; Somera Rana from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, third place with P40,000 cash prize; and Alaine Isabelle Leones from St. Scholastica’s College, second place with P60,000 cash prize. The grand winner, Mariah Marella Parayray from St. Scholastica’s College, received P100,000 cash prize, an apprenticeship in Rustan’s, and an extensive workshop from SoFA Design Institute.
Balik Saya is a project of the Intramuros Administration and Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, and in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Destileria Limtuaco, Rustan’s, SoFA Design Institute, The Bayleaf Hotels and Ilustrado.