Manila Wears A Smile

We called it Manila Night. To celebrate our new optimism and renewed patriotism, twenty Filipino designers presented fashion accessories and resort wear at the SMDC showroom in the Mall of Asia complex by the bay. Gino Gonzales transformed the humongous place into to a modern tropical rainforest with a huge block of tropical foliage as centerpiece. A band played festive music as models moved from one platform to another. Waiters went around with trays of wine and Manila Mojito. Cebu lechon, roast beef and Tinola rice by Chef Laudico was hard to resist even for many of those denizens maintaining size zeros.

Manila Wear is a baby in the world's fashion stage, one born of love and promise. And like a baby, it brings a smile at first sight.

The SMDC showroom was given a tropical forest feel by Gino Gonzales.

Five lamp-like installations were used as settings for the fashion tableaux.

My collection of citrus colored Cotton Abaca from Catanduanes.

Jojie Lloren's cool palette of Pina Silk from Aklan.

Inno Sotto's Mindanao silk mixed with French lace.

Cesar Gaupo's Pina and chiffon resort line.

Beautiful table setting for the fashion accessories.

Necklace by Gerry Sunga.

'Fairy wings' earrings by Patrice Ramos-Diaz.

Shoe designer Maco Custodio.

Mons Romulo and Patrice Diaz.

Kenneth Cobonpue and Josie Natori.

Vic Barba, Tonichi Nocom and James Reyes.

Jay Khan and Randy Ortiz.

Tonichi Nocom, Mike de la Rosa, Rusty Lopez and Royal Pineda.

Ageless Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales.

Model Ralph Joseph.

Michelle Tomacruz and Len Lopez.

Always a joy to see, James Reyes.

Jia Estrella and I enjoying the white wine.

Michelle Tomacruz and I enjoying more white wine.

And more for Jojie Lloren, Inno Sotto, Gia Estrella, Dennis Lustico, Michelle Tomacruz and me.

Fashion Family!

Bong & Lumen Teves, moi, John Cuenco, Eve Maduma, Dinny Lazo and Dayang Teves.

Comments

Swatch + Art + Fashion

As a nation grows, so does art and culture. Philippine Daily Inquirer's Thelma San Juan and Swatch Philippines' Virgie Ramos through thick and thin have supported art and fashion, rallying behind artists and designers. Last night, these two hardworking women launched an exhibit celebrating art, fashion, and Swatch Philippines' 25 years at the new Swatch & Swatch building in Makati. Dresses inspired by Ben Cab 's Sabel, giant photographs and installations were brilliantly curated by production designer Gino Gonzales , transporting you to a beautiful realm of light, opulent fabrics, and beauty. Fashion and art connoisseurs, students and designers shouldn't miss this exhibit, open to the public from 16 December 2014 to 15 January 2015 at the Swatch & Swatch, 418, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. Pepito Albert 's sculptural abaca jacket. Before blush, there was " Inno Sotto pink" . Gravity defying Cary Santiago . ...

10 Rainy Day Food Cravings

What is it with the rain and food? The heavier the downpour, the bigger the craving, and if you don’t give in to your cravings, you’ll be twisting and turning the whole night counting pork buns in your head. Here are ten of my rainy day cravings; savory, protein packed goodness, best eaten warm with a giant glass of Coca Cola. Aaahh, happiness. Ryu's Tantanmen , nothing beats hot ramen on a rainy night. Tim Ho Wan's Pork Buns, something worth lining up for and going out for on a rainy afternoon. Rain or shine, you just can't get enough of Lugang's Xiao Long Bao . Parmigiano's Lobster Pasta at Resort's World, perfect pre-movie dinner. Craving of cravings, Crispy Pata ! Best I've tasted was from Kinabuch in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Peppermill's Bagnet , crunchy and tender at the same time with a yummy sweet and spicy bagoong dip. Rainy night comfort combo, Poppin's Beef Salpicao , pilaf rice a...

The Cojuangco Ancestral House

Our next journey takes us to a historic town in Bulacan, thirty minutes north of Manila. My road trip buddies, my college friends who all share with me the same fascination for heritage houses were privileged by an invitation from Melecio Cojuangco to visit their ancestral house in Malolos. Mel, his cousin in law Marissa Lopa, Rima Datuin and Evelyn Bautista and I discovered each other's funny bone because of our love for the ice cream served in a huge bowl at Peninsula Manila's lobby. One evening, to justify our appetite, we pretended it was my birthday and we had the string quartet play happy birthday for me, from then on, we became good friends. Mel's grandfather, Jose Cojuangco was born at the Malolos house, very near the Barasoain Church. Jose's mother traded rice from Nueva Ecija, sacks transported by boat via the river at the back of the kamalig to Binondo, Manila. Like most turn of the century houses, the Cojuangco house uses piedra china ...

My Refrigerator Door

Search This Blog