How do we top this?
I asked myself that question last year, right after the Red Charity Gala’s (RCG) 10th anniversary that featured Rajo Laurel. With a record number of attendees, I thought it would be so difficult to mount a more impressive, charity fashion show.
RCG cochair Kaye Tiñga and I had an idea of bringing back all the past 10 designers, and for each of them to showcase a capsule collection.
So, for our 11th edition, we presented all past RCG designers in chronological order.
With our RCG dream team—Robby Carmona as director, Noel Manapat as main stylist, Henri Calayag as lead hair and makeup, and Maggie Gineta as line producer, we knew we could make the concept a reality.
After getting the go-signal from our main sponsor, Bench king Ben Chan, we got all the designers on board.
Having their own, exceptionally unique design DNA, the first 10 stepped up and brought Philippine fashion into a world-class dimension.
Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren, Lesley Mobo, Chito Vijandre, Joey Samson and Laurel delivered the most striking masterpiece collection the local fashion scene has ever seen.
RCG, back in our favorite venue at the Shangri-La at the Fort, is for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School ’81 Foundation.
We added new beneficiaries—Save the Philippine Seas, Save Palawan Seas, Gifts and Graces, Sisters of Mary Girlstown, Assumption Mission Schools, Inquirer Foundation and many more.
Live auction
Majority of the funds are raised during the exciting live auction that my co-auctioneer Tim Yap ably works on stage with me. We usually hold the auction during dinner to have ample time to get the highest bids for all the auction pieces.
We introduced our newest major partner, IAM Worldwide, a direct sales company promoting health, prosperity and balance. Together with its founders, Allen Marvin Eder, Aika Lorraine Uy and Joanna Mañego, gorgeous Heart Evangelista was presented on stage as the company’s latest brand ambassador.
Then we presented our First 10 RCG ladies who will be the cover girls of our magazine partner, Lifestyle Asia, this November.
The young and promising ladies are Alexa Andanar, Erica Dee, Arabella Dabao, Angia Laurel, Jeline Vitangcol, Sofia Romualdez, Mica Lagman, Alayne Umali, Kylie Tiñga and Amanda Zamora. Each received gifts from Usana and Ideal Vision.
Our live auction started with the Globe Platinum package. The first winner was Carlo Lopez, who was also given a year’s subscription for two at Kerry Sports Gym at the Shang Fort.
Our longtime patron, Dette Tan, bagged the beautiful platinum necklace with diamonds from Chow Tai Fook Jewelry.
Bidding war
The 2019 Royal Gem x Love Marie Jewelry Collection—five pieces that Evangelista designed—came with accommodations at Bellevue Manila and The Bellevue Resort.
There was heated bidding for the Ultherapy for Two. Ultherapy is the only US FDA-cleared, noninvasive lift.
We matched this auction item with Diagold’s dangling, teardrop diamond earrings. Nini Licaros and Evelyn Fraser, who are lovely patients of Dr. Issa Cellona of Skincell Clinic, won the package.
Joining Diagold owner Jennifer Ty onstage was 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Diagold’s new brand ambassador.
Trips to Japan
Furniture brand Bernhardt donated a Somerset dining table and four leather dining chairs. Bid winner Ofelia Wadle, gorgeous in a Cherry Veric gown, and her friends received the package onstage. They also got eight Air Asia round-trip tickets to Osaka, Japan.
Also going to Japan is Fila head Cris Albert. She won the exciting Hokkaido Tracks’ accommodations for a five- to seven-day stay during the peak skiing season.
The winning bidders for the Emirates round-trip, business class tickets for two to Europe were Cristalle and Justin Pitt. They also received a bottle of Louis XIII, the world’s finest cognac.
Our most generous bidders at RCG were the family of Dr. Aivee Teo, especially her mom, Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar. It was indeed a family affair as Mommy Mel’s pretty granddaughter, Alexa Andanar, was presented that night among the RCG ladies.
Longest pearl strand
This year, the Jewelmer strand of masterfully matched, 11-13 mm South Sea pearls was the longest ever. After an exciting and friendly bidding war, generous Mommy Mel won the stunning opera strand with semi-baroque champagne pearls. She also won the Tessera diamond earrings.
Next to their table were the Aivee Leaguers who had their own mini social networking going with hot stars like Sarah Lahbati, Mond Gutierrez, Jake Cuenca, Kylie Verzosa and more.
Let me continue this feature next week!
More pics on Instagram @seaprincess888
