MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES—Reigning and former national and international beauty queens sashayed down the runway to promote Filipino heritage in a retrospective fashion show featuring stylized Filipiniana attires taking inspiration from different periods in Philippine history.

 

Dubbed “Obra Maestra: Homage to Heritage,” the event showcased the creations of an illustrious list of Filipino designers, which included Philippine fashion pillar Renee Salud. It was held in the atrium of Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City on Feb. 20.

 

Reigning Binibining Pilipinas-Grand International Aya Abesamis and 2017 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Top Model of the World Hannah Khayle Iglesia breathed life to Salud’s modern take on the Filipiniana.

 

Abesamis served legs with her micromini collared terno paired with an overskirt, while Iglesia exuded confidence in her jumpsuit terno, revealed by a massive slit on the skirt.

 

Both looks showed Salud’s signature masterful tailoring of indigenous Filipino woven fabrics.

 

Delby Bragais found her muse in 2012 Miss Philippines-Ecotourism and 2014 Miss Global fourth runner-up Candice Ramos, while Roland Lirio tapped 2018 Mutya ng Pilipinas second runner-up Kristine Malicsi to parade his masterpiece.

 

Jerome Navarro dished out a showstopper courtesy of the reigning Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payumo.

 

The show is part of a series of events hosted by Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City in line with the “National Arts Month.”

 

Those who missed the fashion spectacle may still marvel at another collection of Filipino looks in “The Evolution of Filipiniana Fashion” at the mall’s East Wing. Catch it at the wing’s “Luxury Lane” until Feb. 29.

 

Both the show and the exhibit serve as a prelude to the release of the landmark “Obra Maestra: A Portrait of Excellence in Philippine Fashion and Culture,” a coffee table book chronicling the evolution of Philippine fashion through vintage photographs from bibliophile Mario Feir’s exclusive Filipiniana collection.

 

Fashion and arts afficionado Zardo Ayangco-Austria conceptualized and directed Obra Maestra at the Shang, and served as editor and publisher of the coffee table book.

 

Proceeds will fund the construction of the Benedictine Sisters Reparatrices of the Sacred Heart’s new monastery and chapel in Mexico, Pampanga.

 

It will also provide assistance to the Duyong Marawi Project spearheaded by Bishop Edwin dela Peña, and the survivors of the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.