The best-kept secret about Hands On Manila’s (HOM) Vintage Bazaar happening tomorrow at Rockwell Tent must be a set of bespoke clothes created by fashion legends Pitoy Moreno and Aureo Alonzo for society icon and philanthropist Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco.
Mrs. Cojuangco donated them so the organization could raise funds for its projects and volunteers.
HOM cofounder and president Gianna Montinola was visibly excited when she showed Inquirer Lifestyle photos of some of the gowns and other collectibles, from furniture, fashion to home accessories, which families donated.
Each of Mrs. Cojuangco’s dresses carries its own interesting story. Mrs. Cojuangco is known as a fashion plate and easily one of the best dressed women in the country. Almost every Filipino designer has sought to design a dress—casual or formal wear—for her.
It has been said often in fashion design circles, particularly among designers, that there are clothes “only Meldy (as she is known to friends) could pull off,” referring to her kind of elegance that pushes the envelope, so to speak.
A fuchsia Pitoy Moreno gown with ornate silver embroidery on the bodice was worn to a rigodon celebrating a wedding anniversary.
Another Moreno long dress, with pleated collar and pink and purple floral appliqué, was worn to a gala event at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
A third Moreno masterpiece, a white long dress with ostrich feathers, was worn to a birthday dinner after Mrs. Cojuangco received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Pope and Church)
medal, also known as the Cross of Honor, from the Vatican.
The Aureo Alonzo formal dresses were worn to events hosted by the Cofradia Inmaculada Concepcion.
A source said each Moreno gown is priced at only P18,000 while those of Alonzo are at P15,000 each.
Montinola said clothes by Rajo Laurel and Inno Sotto will be sold also at jaw-dropping prices.
Also to be sold are a leather chair by Budji Layug, a Barcelona chair and a molave dinner table from Jo-Liza.
All these will be sold at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City beginning at 10 a.m.
Designer bags
“Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs and coffee tables are on sale for as low as P3,000. There will be bargains like designer clothes for as low as P2,000, long dresses for as low as P1,500, designer bags for as low as P3,000, home accessories for as low as P1,500 and framed prints (from known artists) for as low as P1,500,” Montinola said.
Camille Samson, HOM board member and Vintage Bazaar chair, said the bazaar is the latest of the organization’s initiatives “to raise the profile of volunteering and service throughout the country.”
Proceeds will support HOM’s programs on education, the environment, children and the elderly.
“For this event, we were fortunate enough to have generous friends and relatives who donated their brand-new and lightly used items, including treasures from their homes,” Samson noted.
Apart from Samson and Montinola, members of the Vintage Bazaar committee who worked on this are Pilar Martinez, Patrice Tan and Lizette Cojuangco.
Bazaar concessionaires include Kassa of Karen Santos selling vintage silver pieces from New York; Doctor Leather with brand-new designer bags and bag repair services; Janina and Lucille Dizon selling “once loved” branded bags, shoes and accessories; Natalya Lagdameo with jewelry and home décor and furniture, and home décor from Marga Espiritu of Bungalow 300.
Give back
Since 2001, HOM has provided volunteer opportunities to help Filipinos “give back to their communities in ways that matter.”
From a dedicated group of less than 15 individuals, the group’s registered volunteers now number over 14,000. They serve over 100 civil society organizations and benefit more than
50,000 people across different sectors of society.
HOM was founded on the belief that anyone could be of service, Montinola said.
From weekly mentoring activities through the “Hands On Schools-Galing Mo Kid” program to its annual Servathon, the group continues to create flexible, innovative volunteer opportunities.
Now on its 13th year, HOM continues to empower individuals and groups to contribute their time, talent and resources to improve their communities through projects promoting sustainable development.
The Vintage Bazaar is with Hands On Manila partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Rappler, Rockwell Land Corp. and Ethos Creative Solutions.
The Vintage Bazaar runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 6, Rockwell Tent, Makati City. For details, call 8437044; telefax 4787217 and look for Ami Valdemoro or Perrey Belen. You can also e-mail info@handsonmanila.org or check out www.handsonmanila.org.
PHOTOS BY ARNOLD ALMACEN