By CJ Lagman
UVA628 - My cab driver today asked me "Why I have to travel to Manila Hotel from Makati for a Flores de Mayo? when I can get to see this Philippine tradition about everywhere in my area on the weekends of every month of May". I responded with a proverb about how to properly purchase an item versus buying an item for it's price. I am heading there with a purpose as I am a glamour photographer, my job is to capture that beauty no matter where I needed to be. My editor invited me to check out the Designers Circle Philippines Pagsulyap sa mga Reyna: Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel. My smile fades a little when my cab gets to a halt because of a traffic. I think to some extent it's a natural reaction. I guess I have not been around long enough in this busy metropolis. Thankfully, the traffic flow has gotten a lot better - not later I was in The Manila Hotel.
Flores de Mayo, a filipino tradition with grandeur imposing elegance in art creations and regal stature of the subject persona. For 40 years Flores de Mayo survives to become an enduring May event in the Philippines and are still surprisingly popular. A grand event, where it's type of work load preparations spends so much time on fashion designs that captivates and commands attention to all that were involved. Fashion designers cue on elegance and their vogue stylish mind that they develop over the course of time sets a statement of Prime Art creations. If you've been around long enough in the fashion industry, Ben Ferrales is of your high notes in Philippine Fashion. For Ben, the return of Flores de Mayo in The Manila Hotel is somehow nostalgic. Far back 1979 when the first Flores de Mayo he founded and organized came to it's existence. Flores de Mayo is Artistry, Culture, and Ben Ferrales.
3:45PM - My Prime starts to work with the glamour and grandeur inside the foyer of the hotel's Manila Ballroom and are notably feeding my shutter. A call came at no time, for the Designers Circle Philippines the long awaited cue has come to it's moment. In the fullness of time, the long months of composition is about to start. The president of The Manila Hotel honourable Joey D. Lina Jr (senate 1987 - 1992) favour the event with an invocation to the divine Creator followed by the National Anthem of the country, Lupang Hinirang (The Chosen Land). The panel of distinguised judges that will form a conclusion for the night's special awards to selected designers includes Danny dela Cuesta, Malou Veloso, Minnie Atienza, Grace Francisco-Torres, Barge Ramos and The Manila Hotel Resident Manager Chris Orta.
Designers Circle Philippines, The Fashion Designers (Filipino Artist with great wisdom on fashion creations);
Francis Calaquian, Ira Baylon, Alfie Ong, Paul Semira, Glenn Lopez, Rem Divino, Mikaelah Michelle, Don Pedro Moises, Simoun Andres, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Roland Lirio, Nino Ramirez, Norman Acuba, Santa Emmanuelle, Rafael Gonzalez, Edwin Uy, Richie Bondoc, Dave Ocampo, Pencil Diestra, Nicky Martinez, Ivan dela Cruz, Ole Morabe, Nholie Pilapil, Gener Gozum, Rholand Roxas, Edgar San Diego, Johnny Abad, Rey Lazaro, Fanny Serrano, and Renee Salud. (List courtecy of The Manila Hotel Press Release)
The Parade - sagalas in elegant filipiniana couture designed meticoulously for such high profile ensemble followed the same route as the first Flores de Mayo in 1979. The same path across the facade of The Manila Hotel. The offerings of garlands of flowers to a statue of The Blessed Virgin brings a conclusion to the traditional procession and a private dinner takes after.
Special Awards;
VESTIDO FILIPINO, Fashion Artist Santa Emmanuelle. Sagala Maxine Nicole Rangel and Leandro Mujica.
BITUIN NG GABI, Fashion Artist Edwin Uy. Sagala Samantha Lo and Mark Kevin Baloaloa.
MAGANDANG PARALUMAN, Sheena Dalo.
NATATANGING GINOO, Aaron de Tommaso. Fashion Artist Ole Morabe.
As I come to assimilate the tradition of the day's grand event and the intellectual achievement of all these Filipino Artist, I must admit that I fell for the grandeur of The 'M' Manila Hotel. The charm of The Grand Dame must have been incorporated of the same work of Art... at it's finest.
Special acknowledgement to Sir Rocky Gathercole for the Dinner Ticket.
My precept for my cab driver was QUALITY!
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