Kirby Asunto in Oliver Tolentino's red silk pina gown with terno sleeves. Photo courtesy of Oliver Tolentino.
LAS VEGAS—Just a few weeks after he designed a stunning purple silk gown for American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez, Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino has created an exquisite red piña gown with terno sleeves for Kirby Asunto, a 14-year-old who was born in the Philippines and now lives in the New York area. Asunto sings the Philippine national anthem in tonight’s Las Vegas Pacquiao-Bradley fight. Tolentino is fast becoming popular among Hollywood stars for his gorgeous gowns on the red carpet, dressing up celebrities like Oscar winner Anna Paquin, multiple Grammy nominee Kelly Price, E! News host Giuliana Rancic, and creating gowns for America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion!
The Fil-Mexican Jessica Sanchez will be singing the US national anthem in tonight’s fight.
Pacquiao handpicked Asunto when he heard her perform an offering Mass before his 2011 Marquez match. Asunto joins past Pacquiao anthem singer,Arnel Pineda, another proud Filipino who regularly wears clothes by Tolentino.
Journey vocalist Arnel Pineda regularly wears Oliver Tolentino's creations. Photo courtesy of Oliver Tolentino.
Just last week, Pineda wore a Tolentino blue velvet jacket on television to perform with Journey and Rascal Flatts at the CMT Awards in Nashville.
According to Tolentino, “Naturally, I was flattered when Kirby approached me to dress her for our national anthem. I consider it my duty to support a proud Filipina representing our country and our anthem at such an international event. And this was another opportunity to promote our native fabrics to the world.”
Tolentino added, “Arnel has worn many of my outfits, but I’m always flattered when he chooses to wear me on an awards show that is broadcast nationally in America.”
