Filipino Fashion Show at Foxwoods
By Virgilio I. Gonzales
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-TIMES
2003-11-13

Sunday night, October 12, at the Foxwoods Casino in New London, Conn., 21 Filipino women from the greater Danbury area put on make-up, donned their original-designed ternos and stepped into the limelight.

            The curtain rose at the Fox Theatre and the Renee Salud Fashion Show was on. The two-hour show was a “Salute to the Filipinos in Connecticut,” featuring the style and creations of Renee Salud, one of the Philippines’outstanding couturiers.

            Salud has placed the Philippines on the world map for his Oriental collections that were exhibited in major cities such as Rome, London, Belgium, Toronto, Hongkong, Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore.

             The fashion show at Foxwoods was sponsored by Chona Trinidad and Matty Bautista, and Dr. Gemma Guanco of the LeRose American Asian Cultural Production for the benefit of the “Bata Foundation” orphanage in the Philippines.

            Salud brought with him his retinue of  professional models from Manila and New York to introduce his “New Stylized Filipiniana Collections 2004.” There were five regional segments in the collections—Resort, Cordillera, Hacienda, Muslim, Wedding, and Terno. The local models from the greater Danbury area, who represented “the real people,” joined and blended with the professionals in modeling the collections. .

Photo by Mark Weiss

           
The professional models were recognizable by their slim figures, long legs and precise movements on the stage. But the local talents were not to be outdone. They held their own. Under the direction of choreographer Raymond Villanueva, the Danbury ladies gave the Manila and New York models a run for their money.  They strode onto the stage in the blinding strobe lights, heads held high, twirled and turned to the captivating rhythm of Philippine songs as they walked on the runway.

            The Danbury ladies worked hard for two weeks, practicing their walks to the accompaniment of Tagalog songs. The try-outs were often chaotic, but they got it all together on showtime. The lights, the music, the choreography and the dresses—they all fell into place.

            “Maganda (beautiful)”, said Mila Despojado. “I liked the meztisa dresses, the different styles and colors of the barong tagalog with Chinese-style collars and pink-colored fabric. I’d like to buy one particular dress in the collection.”

            “Very professional, very impressive,” said Barbara Pretto. “I’d never thought it would be that good. You could not tell the difference between the local models and the professional models. Besides being very professional, the show was entertaining.”

            “Excellent presentation and performance of the models, including the ethnic dancers,” said Mila Manlongat. “I salute couturier Renee Salud for his professionalism and  creativity, and Raymond Villanueva for his excellent choreography.”

            The thoughts that went through the mind of one of the local models, Nona Malaguit: “Well, this is it. Better make it good. This is the highlight of my career!”

            Her daughter Liza, who also modeled, enjoyed it so much she would like do it again. “It’s such a prestige to be modeling for Renee Salud,” she said.

            Considering that the organizers and local models had very little sleep because of the last minute rehearsal and refitting of the dresses, and travel to and from Foxwoods, they still managed to put on an outstanding show. They performed like real troupers.

            The local female models are Gigi, Trisha, and Chelsea Ampeloquio, Alice Brual, Matty Bautista, Hedy Doyle, Ester Frulla, Baby Gonzales, Nicole Guanco, Chie Jardeleza, Nona and Liza Malaguit, Angelie Niedermeyer, Melody Panlilio, Barbara and Cristina Pretto, Sally Snyder, Olga Valera, Etta Vered, Jeanne Verzano, and Mary Ann Weiss.

            The local male models are Aerrol and Austin Ampeloquio, Greg and Anthony Brual, Dr. Manny Bautista, Dr. Tony Macatol, Richard Trinidad and Nicky Vered.

            The ethnic dancers are Judy Evangelista, Lani Gonzales and Camille Sison.

            The professional models include Evita Bunyi, a former Miss Philippine Tourism, Germelina Padilla, a former Binibining Pilpinas and Miss Universe contestant, Bessie Badilla del Castillo, also a former Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe contestant, Philippine top male models Martin Cruz and Gary Dulatas.

            Former Philippine TV host Ralion Alonzo sang and danced between the segments of the fashion show.

            The Renee Filipiniana Collections 2004 show the influence of the multi-ethnic culture and history of the Philippines. The gowns and ternos were inspired by the costumes of the mountain tribes of the Cordillera, those of the Muslims in Mindanao, the Maria Clara style of the Spanish era haciendas, and the attires of the modern Filipinos.at work and at play.  All these contributed to the distinctive style of Renee Salud.

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