Celebrating local luxury

Joyce Oreña with her display of uniquely Filipino accessories KULTURA celebrates local luxury with its re-opened its store at the second level of SM Makati, an event which also saw the introduction of the label’s newest brand ambassador, actress Marian Rivera.

As a celebrity, hands-on mom, and entrepreneur, Rivera represents the modern Filipina with a global outlook, whose eclectic tastes have made her appreciate all things Filipino. Like many young women today, she is rediscovering her heritage and appreciating the artistry of handcrafted accessories and beautifully embroidered apparel.

“Filipiniana can be so elegant. I love the unique clothes and accessories. My favorites are the pearls,” she says.

“The idea to get Marian Rivera as a brand ambassador started with a post of her in our silk barong dress for the inauguration of Vice President Leni Robredo,” says a statement from Kultura. “This post was met with a remarkable response, which included numerous inquiries to this day, about the dress she was wearing and its availability in our stores.”

Moreover, Rivera and Kultura are both advocates of local communities with part of the re-opening’s proceeds allotted to the 6,000-plus surgeries that Smile Train provides annually provides to children with cleft palates.

“Since 2001, Smile Train has performed close to 50,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines,” says Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Country Director for Smile Train Philippines. “This would not have been possible without our local partners who are committed to helping children with clefts and our donors who continue to believe in our cause.”