Emie Lou in Alquin Cap-atan, Nicole in Dominic Bautista and Vence in Alma Mae Roa. Floodwaters brought by Typhoon Sendong breached the dragons’ heads in the background, bringing mud and debris. Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Vogue editor Anna Wintour was at the forefront of efforts to help save New York’s battered economy. Together with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), she created Fashion for America, a collective, selfless effort of the fashion industry to raise funds for relief efforts after the tragic events that shook the world.
Fashion for America comes from the same charitable streak as the CFDA’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, the industry’s way of assisting people with breast cancer; the CFDA-Vogue Initiative, a philanthropic collaboration with Vogue magazine which provides funds for organizations that care for persons living with HIV/AIDS; and Fashion’s Night Out, or 7th on Sale, a global initiative created to “celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence and boost the industry’s economy.”
The past two years saw the fashion industry’s concerted and far-reaching efforts to help the earthquake survivors of Haiti and the tsunami victims of Japan.
In the Philippines, specifically the Dean of Filipino Designers Ben Farrales, are just as quick to respond to calls for assistance from victims of calamities. With his Fashion for a Cause, which gathers industry insiders of all generations to participate in fundraising galas, the venerable Mang Ben raises funds for the Philippine National Red Cross to help in the rehabilitation of the affected areas.
On a less grand scale, though as remarkable, Cagayan de Oro’s fashion stalwarts are doing their share to rebuild their city after it was devastated by Typhoon Sendong in December 2011. True to its reputation as the City of Golden Friendship, people from far and wide readily responded to the pleas of Kagay-anons for help and assistance.
Alquin Cap-atan: "I used highly captivating metallic gold for my long gown worn by Emie Lou. It has a sided draping that could add dimension for a golden goddess look. It also has a beaded neckline and pleats." Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
“The Oro Fashion Designers Guild’s direct effort was geared on relief operations and feeding programs for the victims of Sendong. Together with the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines, the Young Designers Guild and designers from abroad, we had the Water for Life project,” says OFDG president Gil Macaibay III.  “Together with the Glitterati and Gil Ex Models, we did two charity shows to raise funds for the victims. Models, hairstylists, fashion directors, makeup artists and industry friends also assisted in the feeding and relief operations.”
Gil Macaibay III: "The tiered evening gown for Vence is made of vintage brocade lace and silk dupione. This Great Gatsby-inspired piece is accented with laser-cut floral stencil neckpiece embellished with crystals and beads." Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
Emie Lou wears a checkered ballskirt by Gil Macaibay III. Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
Alma Mae Roa, who has two shops named Cameron’s and Fiona Clara, can only marvel at the outpouring of love and support from her fellow fashion designers and long-time friends.
Alma Mae Roa: "A very simple straight cut sequined mini gold dress made for a simply elegant but a bit daring woman, just like Vence. The black overskirt is made to create drama on the ramp (worn on the first photo)." Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
“People in the fashion industry are unbelievably compassionate and generous to us Kagay-anons after Sendong, the most difficult time of our lives. The care, the prayers, the emotional, social, and emotional support are all that we need to rebuild CDO and we were given those. In fact, look at CDO now, we have risen after only a few months,” Roa says. “Life is beautiful because God is good! He touches many people’s hearts to let us all know of His greatness.”
Slowly and surely, sometimes with steady high-heeled steps, Cagayan de Oro is on its toes again.
Benjie S. Manuel: "The gold dress on Vence is a two-tone taffeta in gray and gold with a halter top and a biased skirt with smocking details." Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
“The local fashion community is slowly recovering, though we really felt the effects of the typhoon because of cancelled proms and rescheduled weddings,” bares Benjie S. Manuel.
He is currently employing several of his dressmaking students from the Alternative Learning System at City Central School and getting apprentices among selected flood victims from the non-formal education classes particularly in Barangay Iponan and teaching them how to beadwork.
Dominic Bautista: "For Nicole, I did a taffeta-satin classic A-line haute couture canary yellow jacket with oversized puff sleeves and Chinese collar accentuated with gold stones. The inner A-line cocktail dress has a pleated effect mixed with shimmering lace and stones." Photo by Evans Yonson for InterAksyon.com.
“These are some of my efforts in helping rebuild CDO. My other plans would be to request instructors from TESDA to teach tailoring, weaving and shoemaking to victims who have lost their livelihood because of Sendong,” Manuel adds. “It’s going to be a huge job but step by step, with the help of the local government, CDO will rise again. Hopefully, with lessons learned.”
Additional credits:
Hair And Makeup By Jhong Banquerigo And Eric Duero
Models: Vence Mae Bacus, Emie Lou Yamba, and Nicole Charmaine Salise
