A GLAM event loaded with Philippine culture and heritage, featuring the creations of three of the country’s top designers, awaits audiences in East Coast USA this coming October 15.
Dubbed as “The Philippine Cultural Heritage Show: An Evening of Cultural Exchange and Fashion Elegance,” the much awaited event will take center stage at the Grand Ballroom of Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Organized by non-stock and non-profit organization Partnerships for Sustainable Development Inc. whose mission is to bring global awareness, deep understanding and great appreciation for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, the show will be the launching pad of its advocacy program called “Inclusivity in Diversity” that also includes the launch of the Global Search for the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) Ambassadors, a creative industry exhibit and sale of Filipino indigenous products, including popular and sought after local handicrafts.
“The Philippine Cultural Heritage Show,” conceptualized and directed by Nilo Agustin, will highlight the creations of renowned designers Albert Andrada and Amir Sali and upcoming but super talented Sophia Therese Manimbo.
Their collections will incorporate different traditional textiles of the Philippines in line with its theme, “The Philippines: Perla del Mar de Oriente (Pearl of the Orient Seas) and aimed to promote the rich culture embedded in traditional Philippine fabrics.
Manila-born Albert Andrada already had a flourishing career in fashion in the United Arab Emirates for a ruling royal family before he catapulted to world fame for creating the iconic blue gown Pia Wurtzbach wore in Las Vegas en route to victory as Miss Universe 2015. Now the fashion director of Miss Universe Philippines, Andrada will showcase his trademark opulence, glamour and luxury in his collection for the event.
Dubbed as the “Prince of Beads,” Amir Sali’s 20-piece collection will feature hints of Filipiniana incorporating abel iloko and other local fabrics in his intricately beaded creations.
Born in Jolo, Sulu and raised in Dumaguete, Sali, like Andrada also had a flourishing career in the Middle East, catering designs for the royal family of Saudi Arabia for 18 years.
Although a neophyte and the youngest, Manimbo is up to the challenge with her illustrious colleagues, having grown up in the fashion industry under the tutelage of her mom, renowned Filipiniana designer Cora DJ Manimbo. Her collection entitled “Pandanggo,” inspired by Philippine dances and festivities in colorful hues of local weaves in her signature collage patchwork, will debut on the international stage in New Jersey.
In collaboration with both the public and private sectors in the US and the Philippines through the Queen of Hearts Foundation Inc. headed by Mitzie Go-Gil, proceeds of the event will be for the benefit of “Meals on Wheels,” a charity program of the city government of Jersey City; “Kisame Para Sa Bahay Ni San Jose,” a donation appeal of Fr. Elmer Villamayor for the construction of the roofing of St. Joseph the Husband of Mary Church in Bangad, Cabanatuan City; and the tree nurturing and waste management projects of Fr. Benigno P. Beltran, SVD.
“The Philippine Cultural Heritage Show in New Jersey is only the first leg in a series of shows that we will be doing soon, including the Dubai leg in December,” added Agustin during the intimate presscon held at Grant Hyatt Manila in Taguig recently.
