“They are back! The Supers are back!” Those were the exclamations of the people who lived in the fictitious city Metroville from the animated film “The Incredibles,” when they saw the Supers perform again.
Some years before, many superheroes had walked the streets of Metroville, performing super acts with great skill and inspiring many to follow their example. But many of the Supers eventually went into retirement and gradual anonymity.
Over time, a few individuals stepped up to fill the void left by the Supers’ exit. Some were capable, but there were a lot who were simply mortals that dressed up in costumes. In fairness, there were a select few who were more talented than the others. In comparison with their lesser performing peers, they stood out of the crowd.
Some people who were new to the scene even called them super. But those who had seen the actual Supers at work always remembered the sight of their performances and longed to see them one more time.
One day, some of them did return and the people of Metroville got to see what it really means to be super.
This was how it was on the night of Oct. 27, 2013. Runway Productions presented “Ben Farrales: A Retrospective.” It was a tribute to the legendary fashion designer and his long career in the industry.
Renowned fashion show directors Orlando “Ogee” Atos and Joey Espino collaborated with the designer on what might well be the last big show for “Mang Ben.”
Sadly, Farrales’ health has been deteriorating these past few years, and he wanted friends, clients and young designers to see the vastness of his work. The clothes presented were choice pieces from Mang Ben’s collection of classic designs for the past 50 years.
Mang Ben required that, to be able to present his creations in the way they deserved, he would choose the lineup of models for the show. He made a selection of around 24 models. Out of these, 12 were the tried-and-tested senior Supermodels—ladies who had learned their craft during that period that many refer to as the golden age of Philippine fashion, the 1970s and ’80s.
In those days, a fashion show was, in the true sense of the word, a show. Models had to memorize various choreography since the exposures of the outfits often required different moves based on timing, lights and colors.
They had to be actors as well, as they played roles and moods that the designer wanted to convey with the garments. They needed to be musically aware, as entrances, exits and movement changes were signaled by musical cues.
All in all, they had to be performers who made even the simplest design look incredible and heavenly.
One of the notable things was they could glide on the ramp to show off the clothes. Live ramp performances was the true gauge of a good model. To be called a supermodel, you had to be great on the ramp, not just in photos or videos.
It was very challenging to be a model; and if you could not meet the standards, you faded away. If you could not do the job, you were not called back again.
Oftentimes, a lesser model would be fired and replaced at rehearsals. So only the best remained. They were sought after by designers and directors because the collection would look great on them.
This was what Mang Ben wanted for this extravaganza. He wanted movement on the stage. He wanted drama. He wanted a show.
Dazzling dozen
So he called back the queens of the ramp. He called back the Supers. The directors were given a list of names of the models he wanted for this event.
Unfortunately not everyone was available, but he did get his 12 supers. Ogee and Joey put together a lineup featuring Celine Magat-Lopez, Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis, Annette Coronel, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Marina Benipayo, Selina Manalad, Mellany Carlos, Patty Betita, Lou Bunyi-Pareja, May Nadayag-Stone and JP Abinuman-Cox.
For balance, the show also included some of today’s active top models.
I was fortunate to be one of only two male models for the show. I had the privilege to see the performances up close. I was impressed at the scene backstage.
Before the show began, the models did their own preparations. The señoras (a term for the tried and proven supermodels) did it slightly different. They examined their clothes and focused mentally on what options they had to display the various features of each outfit. They studied the flow and weight of the material. Each tried a few moves honed by hard training and experience. Then they settled down for their entrance cues as the show started.
What a wonderful treat it was. The production team had put up a straight ramp of white with gold-mirrored flooring to focus attention on the models. Lights shone on the ramp entrance. And then the still-active fashion model Marina Benipayo appeared to start the presentation.
The supers delivered the performance that Mang Ben wanted. They floated down the ramp, showing off his clothes with perfectly timed turns, which you rarely see nowadays.
The ramp movement of these models was amazing (it is what made Filipino models easily get work abroad where ramp work is much less demanding).
Arm and hand movements gave emphasis to veils and sashes. Dramatic pauses at the end of the ramp gave the audience and photographers time to appreciate the full workmanship of the Ben Farrales brand.
The breathtaking show ended with Mang Ben walking down the ramp between two lines of models wearing his creations. The audience saluted him with a standing ovation and happy, tear-filled eyes. It was a fashion production that highlighted an illustrious designer’s lifework. It was the night the Supers flew high once more.
