Fashion designer Michael Leyva proved why he’s one of the best in the industry during a recent event highlighting his creations.
The 65-piece fashion show Isang Pilipinas staged on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Goldenberg Mansion within the Malacañang Palace complex, paraded a line-up of pieces made from woven fabric sourced from different parts of the country.
The occasion, as told by Michael to The Philippine Star, was designed to tell the rich history and culture of the Philippines, from Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao.
It also coincided with Buwan ng Wika, a month-long celebration every August meant to promote the national language, Filipino.
A GLITZY AFFAIR
The event was just one of the many fashion and cultural shows planned at the behest of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, wife of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
One of the highlights was the sight of the partners of senators commanding the ramp, dressed splendidly and proudly in Michael’s creations.
Heart Evangelista, the wife of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, turned heads as she opened the fashion show for the evening.
The actress looked breathtaking in a fully-beaded terno named "Perlas ng Silangan."
Joining her were the other senatorial wives: Audrey Tan-Zubiri, wife of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri; Tootsy Angara, wife of Senator Sonny Angara; Em Aglipay-Villar, wife of Senator Mark Villar; and Cavite Representative Lani Mercado, wife of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.
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Rounding up the list were Kathryna Pimentel, wife of Senator Koko Pimentel; Gladys Villanueva, wife of Senator Joel Villanueva; and Mariel Padilla, wife of Senator Robin Padilla.
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Beauty queen-actress Bianca Manalo, the long-time girlfriend of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, also took part in the fashion show.
The event pulled all stops to live up to the theme of the occasion: there's food, a fireworks display, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra providing the music to entertain guests.
CALLING OUT THE FIRST LADY
However, the fashion event left a bad taste in the mouths of some observers, who slammed the affair for its ill-timed opulence.
For Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the event demonstrated how out of touch the First Lady and government officials are regarding the everyday struggles of the majority.
Danilo cited the many urgent problems nagging the country: increasing debt, rising prices of commodities due to inflation, and problems in the agricultural sector brought about by recent typhoons.
Lamented Danilo in a statement, “It shows her character. She doesn’t care about the plight of your normal, everyday Filipino. This is no different from the luxurious shoe collection of Imelda Marcos which go up to the thousands."
Speaking of Imelda, some netizens couldn't help but compare the event to the lavish parties commonly thrown by the Marcoses during the two-decade reign of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
But there were also some who defended the First Lady and the staged event against critics.
Post-event, Michael expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the chance to showcase his creations.
Wrote Michael on Instagram, "Bilang isang Manlilikha, labis kong ipinagpapasalamat ang mabigyan ng isang pagkakataon na maging tulay upang maipakita ang galing at talento ng mga Pilipino saan mang sulok ng mundo."