On the fourth year of Inquirer Lifestyle columnist George Sison’s style list, he sought to recreate an experience of a bygone era when parties did not just mean photo ops, and socials were not yet a “climbing” event.

This was the world that his mother, Priscilla dela Fuente Sison, moved and lived in—and whose memory he honors annually with his Epitome: Dressing at Its Best awards. Mrs. Sison died in 1987 and Sison started the awards in 2014.

Sison usually selects eight Filipino women whose personal style reflects a standard that is worth emulating especially in today’s fast-paced world, where people often lose sight of old-world qualities of integrity, character and class.

It is a standard not unlike his mother’s, who was a style icon of her generation—when Philippine society in the 20th century was a small, distinct circle called Manila’s 400, comprising families known not only for their wealth but for their gentility and generosity.

She was ensconced in the best dressed lists of style arbiters such as National Artist for Fashion Design Ramon Valera. She shared the limelight with the likes of Chona Recto Kasten and Elvira Manahan, who were not only her contemporaries but her close friends as well.

50 handpicked guests

“This is the way social gatherings were back then,” Sison said of the intimate event where less than 50 handpicked guests mingled comfortably in the elegant surroundings of Fashion Interiors in Makati, where he also held last year’s awards.

The front room of Fashion Interiors, a lifestyle furniture concept store along Chino Roces Avenue, transformed into a virtual living area where conversations were in hushed tones and society figures sat relaxed while catching up with each other.

That evening, Lorna Laurel made a rare appearance at the event to honor “one of my best friends, Priscilla. I cherished that friendship, and Georgie, that’s what we used to call him, often frequented our parties.”

In turn, Sison thanked Laurel with a large bouquet of flowers. “Oh my gosh, I feel like a beauty queen,” she quipped.

In attendance that evening were Danny Vazquez—a cousin of Mrs. Sison on her father’s side—with his wife Pacita “Baby” Cruz.

 

Onstage, Sison began the program with an introduction: “In parties these days, nobody even holds a decent conversation. People are always on their cell phones… High society is not marked by money, but by manners—getting to know people and being genuinely interested in them. This is the way friendships and genuine connections are built.”

This year, Sison did things differently by showing a video of never-before-seen photos not only of his mother but of his family. It helped paint a more intimate portrait of the lady, especially for some of the awardees who never got the opportunity to personally meet her.

Then Sison introduced renowned pianist and last year’s recipient of the Commendatore in the Order of the Star of Italy, Raul Sunico, whose aunt, Conching Sunico, was also Mrs. Sison’s Tita Conching.

“Raul used to rehearse in our living room to keep the baby grand tuned up, so we had afternoon concerts,” recalled Sison. “We also went to listen to him often at the Sign of the Dove in New York City.”

Sunico performed a medley from “Phantom of the Opera,” followed by another medley of Filipino songs, one of which was Sison’s composition, “What Name Shall I Give You My Love,” which he recorded a few years back. This song became the first Filipino composition recorded by an international singing group, The Platters.

While Sunico performed, Mario Katigbak, head of Bulgari and Hermes in the Philippines, gathered the awardees who posed like stylish mannequins behind an unlit merchandise window. When the lights went up, the crowd gasped and smiled with delight as each awardee sashayed toward Sison and his brother, lawyer Louie Sison, to receive their respective statuettes.

The awardees for Epitome 2017: Mia Borromeo, Joanna Preysler-Francisco, Lulu Tan-Gan, Stephanie Gonzalez, Joy Rustia, Korina Sanchez-Roxas and Duday Tuason.

 

The right jewelry

Sison chooses recipients of the Epitome style award based on his knowledge of and experience with the women, if he knows them personally. Otherwise, he bases it on astute observation or admiration—how she carries herself in media, in public and in social circles. Sison fetes ladies that he feels are truly deserving.

For instance, a pearl of wisdom from his mother that Sison felt was timely for society matrons these days was on jewelry: “She always wore the right jewelry. It was meant to enhance. That is why it is called accessories. She was never flashy, nor was she ever a fashion victim.”

In the first two years of Epitome, Sison used to just send the awardees their statuettes, a replica of National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva’s exclusive piece for the former Sison family home in Forbes Park.

But last year, Sison made the extra effort to throw a party, which proved to be a success with the personal attendance of the awardees.

 

Understated elegance

Not many people may have known or may recall Hollywood actress Dina Merrill, but her recent death brought back Sison’s memory of his mother, who was often compared to Merrill—not just in the similarity of their ivory complexion and patrician features, but in their lives as heiresses and socialites. “Understated elegance” was what came to mind when one saw Merrill, and it was pretty much the same for Mrs. Sison.

“What a beautiful video George put together in memory of his late mother. I love the elegance, style and grace that emanates through the photos—it was another world and time. Sometimes I wish I lived in that era,” said Borromeo.

She added: “Style is a form of self-expression—a way of infusing your own personality into all that you do. I think that true style is not just about dressing up for fancy occasions, but is reflected in the every day—from how you dress, to how you fix your home, how you entertain and in the graciousness with which you relate to people around you. One can be stylish in the most simple things, and that, for me, is authentic style.”

 

Francisco commented: “I loved it! It was an intimate glimpse into the life of a style icon, a woman of elegance that was ahead of her time.”

She added: “Style is a certain je ne sais quoi that transcends fashion or age. It is how a woman carries herself with flair, how comfortable she is in her own skin, how natural and authentic she is… It is never studied or contrived. It’s never taking yourself too seriously, yet having a sense of self that translates to respecting and loving oneself.”

Gan said of Mrs. Sison: “A woman that epitomizes the classic essence of elegance—an understated elegance, in which she is noticed and sought after. She is definitely an icon to aspire for, a good example for the modern global Filipino woman.”

She added: “Style is effortless bearing. It comes with inner confidence of who you are and your ability to express your uniqueness. A stylish woman does not allow trends to dictate her being. She chooses what suits her lifestyle and disposition.”

 

Gonzalez said: “I was so delighted to see elegant photos of Priscilla. The flair she had at such a young age was remarkable and it made me nostalgic. It made me want to experience a time in life where dressing with elegance, grace and poise were not only for special occasions, but were for every day.”

She pointed out: “Style can be defined as many things—a unique appearance or a distinctive form of expression. I find that style comes not only from the material aspect of the clothes or fashion you choose, but from how you channel the people, places and experiences that inspire you every day.”

Rustia said: “At age 15, Priscilla seemed to have already developed an excellent fashion sense, traveled the world and fell in love with the man of her dreams. She is part of the elite few who became trendsetters and she definitely knew how to enjoy life to its fullest.”

She explained: “Style is believing, creating, having the right attitude and being able to express yourself with confidence.”

 

Roxas remarked: “The video tells me how truly important it is to document family history—for legacy to be preserved and handed down through generations. In this case, those black-and-white photographs tell a story of how style evolved with the life story of one remarkable human being. I love it!”

“Style can be learned and honed, but it is mostly innate,” she added. “It is an expression of consistency in character, not only in how one dresses but in how one lives.”

Tuason said: “Priscilla Sison was a beautiful woman with an impeccable sense of style. Her personality oozed with elegance and sophistication. To receive an award in her memory is truly an honor.”

She added: “Style is not about dressing to impress, but dressing in a way that makes me feel good about myself—comfortable, confident and fabulous. Style speaks volumes about personality, decorum and image.” —CONTRIBUTED