After 11 weeks of competition, napili na ng Project
Runway: Philippines ang top three designers para maglaban sa final
challenge which is to show their own collection for Philippine Fashion Week.
The lucky three designers are Philipp Tampus of Lapu-Lapu City, Veejay Floresca of Makati City, and Aries Lagat of Iligan City. Each will be given enough time para ma-create ang kanilang designed collection para ipakita sa nalalapit na Philippine Fashion Week this November.
The reality-competition program that is a franchise of Fremantle's Project Runway that is hosted by supermodel-turned-TV host Heidi Klum is one of the most most popular show around the globe. Na-nominate ang Project Runway sa nakaraang Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Reality-Competiton Program and Best Reality-Competition Program Host for Heidi Klum.
The Philippine's version is hosted by model-TV host Theresa Herrera with judges composing of top fashion designer Rajo Laurel and model, beauty consultant, and lifestyle features editor Apples Aberin-Sahdwani. Fashion designer Jojie Lloren of School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA) acts as fashion instructor and consultant for the 14 contestants.
Last to be eliminated is 21-year old Mara Reyes from Pasig City. Nakilala si Mara dahil sa kanyang unique and avant-garde style of designing and constructing clothes. Isa kasi siyang visual arts student and costume designer. Nagwagi nga si Mara sa avant-garde challenge ng naturang contest a week before siya natanggal last Wednesday night.
Hindi kinaya ni Mara ang Terno challenge kung saan required silang apat na gumawa ng modernized Terno dress made popular by former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos.
Nagkaroon pa sila ng isang session and consultation with the former first lady para makakuha sila ng ilang tips on what the Terno means to Philippine culture. Si Aimee Marcos ang umupo as special guest judge sa challenge na ito.
Ayon kay Mara, "I admit that my forte is really avant-garde
kaya siguro nanalo ako sa last challenge. Hindi ko talaga kinaya ang terno
challenge but I really did my best. Pinagtrabahuan ko talaga ang lahat just to
show that I still want to stay in the competition. Pero mas magagaling talaga
sila Aries, Veejay, and Philipp. Kumbaga ako ang weakest link sa lahat."
Plano raw ni Mara na magpahinga at mag-party pagkauwi niya dahil two weeks din daw silang nakulong sa competition. "I plan to party gabi-gabi!" tawa pa niya.
"Two months din kami dito sa competition and now it's time to party. I plan to take a vacation din muna tapos I want to go back to study more on designing. Project Runway: Philippines taught me a lot. It took me out of my comfort zone and to try different styles of designing. I want to say good luck to the final three and congratulations sa kung sino man ang manalo sa kanila."
Among the top three who remained in Project Runway: Philippines, it's 25-year old Aries Lagat who won three challenges: the individuality as a designer challenge; the Nesvita Design challenge; and the Beverly Hills 6750 Design challenge. Aries was the winner of the 2006 Mega Young Designers Competition.
The 36-year old Philipp Tampus won two challenges: the 13 Legends challenge and the Terno challenge. He is the most experienced with 14 years of working as a designer in Saudi Arabia. In 1994, he competed with Rajo Laurel in the Mega Young Designers Competition.
And 22-year old Veejay Floresca had one challenge win and
it's for the Cinderella Ready-To-Wear challenge. A fashion design and
merchandising graduate from DLSU College of St. Benilde, Veejay competed in the
International Competition of Young Fashion Designers in Paris, France.
Ang mananalo sa Project Runway: Philippines ay makakakuha ng P500,000 in cash and other valuable prizes plus a chance to show their designed collection in Philippine Fashion Week.
Project Runway: Philippines airs every Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m. on ETC on SBN 21.