Top designers, beauty queens at Las Casas wedding show
The country’s top designers and beauty queens lit up Philippine Weddings at Las Casas (Las Bodas Filipinas
en Las Casas) featuring bridal ensembles from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, recently staged at Plaza Atienza with Casa Byzantina as the backdrop in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan.
“It was conceptualized by awardwinning fashion designer Edwin Uy who discussed the details with fellow designers Johnny Abad and Dave Ocampo,” reported Funfare’s “other beautry expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas. “Erwin Manalo Dona, Las Casas director of brand marketing, was also part of the event. Cata Figueroa was the event’s director. The Designers Circle Philippines (DCP) showcased their ingenuity and world-class craftsmanship in a celebration of Filipiniana bridal bliss,”
Headed by DCP president Johnny Abad together with Renee Salud, the participants were Fanny Serrano, Edwin Uy, Rem Divino, Dave Ocampo, Joyce Pilarsky, Blas Aligno, Jontie Martinez, Nikky Martinez, Ivan dela Cruz, Julius Omum, Edgar Madamba, Steve de Leon, Richie Bondoc, Gener Gozum, Francis Calaquian, Marjorie Lee Gumabay, Pencil Diestra, Rico Escaro, Lou Vella, Armand Marco, Edgar San Diego, Rich Sabinian, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Lito Perez, Ranel Espaldon, Ole Morabe,
Rholand Roxas, Jun Lee, Rian Fernandez, Edel Santiago, Sonny Boy Mindo, Rocky Gathercole, Karen Castro, Nholie Pilapil, Rey Lazaro, Glen Lopez, Paolo Blanco, Rafael Louis Gonzales, Richard Papa, Vince Sityar, Vivo Nazareth and Bernard Escalona.
According to Celso, “The Gawad ng Las Casas de Acuzar sa Sining Lifetime Achievement awards were given to Renee and Fanny, both fashion and beauty icons, for their sterling and significant contributions to the country’s fashion industry and beauty front. Erwin handed the awards on behalf of Jose ‘Jerry’ Acuzar, owner of the heritage resort, together with sponsors’ representatives.”
Among the models were beauty queens Justine Gabionza, Elaine Kay Moll, Leren Mae Bautista, Ilene de Vera and Hannah Khayle Iglesia. 2016 Miss Global first runner-up and 2016 Miss Global Philippines CJ Hirro wearing a red terno by Johnny Abad hosted the fashion spectacle. Jewelmer, Wedding Essentials and Crossover 105.1 FM supported the event.
“Las Casas Filipinas in Bagac, Bataan, is Jerry’s collection of restored SpanishFilipino houses from different parts of the country,” added Celso. (E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo. com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)