Jackie Aquino, fashion show and events director

When the quarantine began, communication with family was paramount so that it became part of my daily routine, thanks to Messenger and Zoom. Like most netizens, I stayed glued to the news and social media for a few days until I got so depressed and had to do something for the front liners.

After so much prayer, I thought of posting on Facebook and Instagram, which I hardly do, an appeal to the fashion community to help produce some form of PPEs (personal protective equipment) that was badly needed. Of course, going in, I knew it wouldn’t be medical grade but some form of protection that can be used by the health workers in the back lines.

On a wing and a prayer my appeal was heard somehow. It was a very small way of helping out . . . but it kept me occupied in the confines of home. Social media came to the rescue and so the universe aligned, with patience and fortitude, fabric donors and designers doing their share, as well as much needed cash contributions/donations.

When May came around, another project came to light. Fashion is really hit hard and with advice from my dearest sisters in the industry, we saw the need to rally the local consumers that with the rest of the country, we can help boost the fashion industry and in turn, give a small contribution to the economy. So, the idea of Buy Filipino came up with a video that will encourage the viewers to support Filipino-made products and pay homage to fashion in “New Normal . . . Fashion for Healing.”

The only platform available is social media. What was once deemed optional is now fundamental. So, I mobilized my team to call or message designers to submit their homemade videos of the “new normal” way of fashion postquarantine or just pay homage to our industry. Some called their muses to help, others used body forms and in their own way shot their FB, IG or YouTube-ready videos. Will just put it out there on social media and hope it finds an audience.

I will always believe in the Filipino. Together we can and together we will!