It has been a hot summer of fashion parades. Mia Arcenas designed an exclusive collection of formal evening wear in blue for the Blu Party at Azure. That is the beach bar of the Crimson Resort in Mactan.
Partygoers trooped in that direction for an evening under the stars, and by a seashore where gentle waves roared in the balmy breeze. The models glided in Mia’s creations, accessorized by Jewelmer’s golden pearls in ropes, or mounted on rings, ear loops, bangles and tiaras convertible into chokers.
Mia was there to collect the applause, with proud mom Iris Fernan Arcenas, plus a group of her glamorous friends, among them Rosebud Sala with daughter Marvi, Marguerite Lhuillier, Alice Woolbright, June Alegrado, Tessie Javier, Tess Lampert, Queenie Ammann and more.
‘Passion for Fashion’
The Prestige Modelling Agency teamed up with Ayala Center Cebu to present “Passion for Fashion” at the mall’s activity area one crowded Saturday night.
The event culminated a four-day modelling workshop by Prestige, led by its chief operations officer Arnold Echevarria Jr. On the catwalk was a set of new pretty faces to showcase the designs of Federico Navarro, Hans Coquilla, Edward Castro, Jerrick Macasocol, Rio Pria and Yorena Tabar.
There was the special participation of 2013 Miss International Bea Rose Santiago, who modelled the creations of John Ablaza. She had been one of the resource speakers during the workshop.
Prestige regularly offers these workshops that include comprehensive personality development training and intense character building to achieve self-esteem and competency.
Ikebana group anniversary
Blue was the dominant color for members of the Ikebana International Cebu Chapter 145 when they celebrated its 45th anniversary. The occasion featured an exhibit at the Atrium of Northwing in SM City Cebu.
The Consul of Japan cut the ceremonial ribbon with Ikebana Cebu president Marilou Hyden, SM City Cebu assistant mall manager Maria Teresa Mempis, and representatives from Ikebana chapters Mark Thomas (Manila), Piedad Roman (Davao) and Bing Celdran (Cagayan de Oro).
The expo of Japanese floral art was open to the public on the next few days; so was a lecture demo by Urduja Santos on the classic Ikebana style known as Ikenobo. Useful tips were shared by John Ong and Naomi Otake, wife of the Japanese consul.
Ikebana Cebu stalwarts present included Norma Sanchez, Carmen Go, Angelina Escaño, Zelia Borromeo, Carmen Garcia, Betty Eustaquio, Helen Yap, Edith Caseñasm Charing Alfaro, Laling Javier, Corito Abalos, Merce Abellana, Becky Peralta, Margie Sy, Helen Yap, Avril Escario and Anon Atega.
Qube mounts art show
A large crowd of art collectors came to Qube Gallery at Crossroads in Banilad for the opening of a solo show of the latest works by Negros-based artist Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado. He has been in the art scene for four decades now, exhibiting all over the Philippines and abroad.
Qube Gallery owner Maris Holopainen was happy with the massive turnout, and so was James Abella, who runs a craft beer parlor on the ground floor. He himself was passing about those trays with glassfuls of his varied flavored brews.
Among the guests were photographer Raul Arambulo, Alice Plaza, Joanna Arong, Maitina Borromeo, Susie Milne, Lana Osmeña, Anna Marie Dizon, Mike and Rose Hennessy, Nonie Uy, Teresin Mendezona, Elvira Luym, Marissa Fernan and Joy Climaco.
Noted was the presence of leading Cebuano artist Celso Pepito and his wife Fe Madrid. They were drumming up interest for another art exhibit a few days later, this time at the Qube Gallery in the Henry Hotel.
This was titled “Kita,” which in Cebuano means “us.” It is subtitled “The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia Art Exchange Project,” under the aegis of Dusun in cooperation with Artportal Cebu, the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur, the Department of Tourism and Dusun Quarterly.
Listed among the guests of honor at the opening were Edward Malaya, Amilizan Mazlan, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, Datin Melissa Ong, Erlinda Ramos, Omar Maxwell Espina and Devin Go.
Aside from Celso and Fe, the Philippine artists were Ross Capili, Felix Catarata, Buds Convocar, Joel Cristobal, John Dinglasa, Anthony Fermin, José Madridejos, Joseph Ong, Radel Paredes, Lucilo Sagayno and Angelico Villanueva.
From Malaysia came Janiz Chan, Queenie Chow, Susanna Hernisniemi, Honey Khor, Deborah Teo Linang, Ellie Ng, and Maxine Xie Xian Xin.
In the Indonesia group were I Gusti Nengah Sura Ardana, Antonius Kho, Myoman Sujana Kenyem, Diyano Purwadi and Lekung Sugantika.