The anticipated annual Best Dressed Women of the Philippines fashion show is looking a little different this year. For the past 16 years, the country’s glamorous philanthropists have gathered together to launch the yearly event to raise funds for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society.

Since 2004, the Philippines’ longest-running charity fashion show has continued its advocacy of raising funds to assist the Philippine Cancer Society with its programs that help underprivileged Filipinos who are fighting the Big C.

“This year, for the safety and well-being of everyone involved, we have decided that a gala event would be inappropriate, which left us with the challenge of how we would continue to raise funds for our cancer patients who have never needed us more,” said Angola honorary consul and event chair Helen Ong. “After much thought, we decided that it was time to raise funds not through the festivities of our yearly annual fashion show, but rather the publication of a timeless coffee-table book.”

The collective efforts to launch its first-ever coffee-table book has garnered hundreds of thousands of pesos in a short time, ensuring the committee is able to continue giving back and doing what they can in order to shed light, awareness and assistance to this important cause. Funds will go directly to the Philippine Cancer Society.

Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP) committee members (from left) Tanzania Consul Betty Chua, Uruguay Consul Marian Ong, Mario Katigbak, Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Roy Gonzales, Mabel Abano, Angola Consul and BDWP chair Helen Ong, Flora Chua and Elaine Villar

Each year the highlight of the fundraising initiative is the annual staging of the selected Best Dressed Women of the Philippines. The candidates all exemplify true elegance, sophistication and style, women who all lead with a compassionate, giving heart.

The 2020 Luminary Philanthropy of the Philippines for the second year in a row is property developer Alice Eduardo. This year’s Most Influential Man in the Philippines is Ambassador Francis Chua.

The 2020 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines are: Mache Ackermann, Cecille Asprec, Rosemarie Custodio Basa, Risa Caldoza, Marilyne de Mesa, Kaydee Velasco, Pauline Laping, Eisa Mercado, Janice Misa, Malou Monteverde, Melanie Omar, Shirley Sobremote, Beging Soriano, Chuchi Serrano Villar, Prescy Yulo and Sheila Lobien.

The virtual book launch will be held on Dec. 14 via Facebook Live.