“Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold.” —Josephine Daskam Bacon

Without question, December holds an irresistible magical allure that has inspired festive cheer and heartfelt holiday wishes! After all the swirling events and blazing activities of November, December ushers in more joy and laughter shared with family and friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. May we all end 2023 with peace in our hearts and hope for a very promising new year ahead.

Ushering in the joy and laughter — Marisun Uichico, Tissa Roxas-Tan, Sea Princess, Farah Imperial and Isabel Barandiaran

The last week of November had so many amazing events that showcased Philippine fashion. In a dazzling celebration, world-renowned Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran marked his 25th anniversary with a spectacular event, “Sterling,” held at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila last week.

The evening commenced with a glamorous cocktail reception at the ballroom’s foyer, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The foyer is also where the latest line of the Francis Libiran Perfumes was launched, featuring the enchanting scents of Spice Oud, Gardenia Mango and Neroli Clavel.

The guest list read like a who’s who of celebrities and industry leaders, including the likes of Sam Milby, Venus Raj, Darren Espanto, Korina Sanchez, Megan Young, Mikael Daez, KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Kiana Valenciano, Erik Santos, Harry Hartman, Laurenti Dyogi, Kylie Verzosa, Kim Chiu, Gretchen Fullido, Rocco Nacino, Melissa Gohing-Nacino, Susan Joven, Ching Cruz, fashion designers Tonichi Nocom, Dennis Lustico, Renée Salud and Michael Leyva, among many others. The presence of these influential personalities underscored the impact and reach of Libiran’s illustrious career.

Property president of City of Dreams Geoff Andress, first vice president and division head of Security Bank Christian Eugene Quiros and CEO and president of the Francis Corp. Arsi Baltazar welcomed guests to the event.

The guests were ushered into the grand ballroom, where a spellbinding spectacle awaited them. The runway came alive with the unveiling of the “Phoenix” collection, a breathtaking showcase that encapsulated the essence of Libiran’s quarter-century journey in the fashion industry. The phoenix motifs, delicately interwoven into the fabric, served as visual metaphors for resilience, grace and the perpetual ascent to new heights.

Festive pieces

For this holiday season, Snidel and Fray I.D. presented their latest collection of festive stylish pieces at their boutique located at Mitsukoshi BGC. Ladies dazzled and shone bright in their festive best for the stylish holiday experience, as well as to get first dibs on the latest glam separates and pretty frocks from the Japanese brands in time for the holidays.

The promise of this festive fashion fête, “Your Holiday Wardrobe Unveiled,” was more than fulfilled, satisfying the closet needs of all those in attendance. Just as we all need to be prepared for the dressy socials and all the gatherings that the season entails, it was also a fantastic opportunity for the guests to get their fashion ducks in a row and deck their closets with the classic and timeless staples Snidel and Fray I.D. are known for.

From Manila’s best-dressed, to influential style mavens, to media personalities, guests gathered to celebrate the synergy of Filipino and Japanese fashion by immersing themselves in the interactive Christmas-themed shopping event.

This weekend is bazaar extravaganza season! Katutubo PH X Bench pop-up (Visit their Instagram @katutubopopupmarket for their latest updates.) is hosting their yearend event at the Bench Tower in BGC this weekend. Apart from the participation of renowned designers such as Randy Ortiz, JC Buendia and Puey Quiñones, the roster of winners of TernoCon are also participating.

Katutubo PH has partnered with over 350 local brands to help promote Philippine fashion and arts. Katutubo grand lady Mons Romulo has truly created a wonderful avenue for local artisans to showcase their talent throughout the year.

Filipino artistry

For more bazaar shopping options, head to Presente by ArteFino at the Fifth at Rockwell. Until today only, the holiday event curated a lineup of items that will surely fill up that Christmas list. With every purchase, the shopper becomes a patron of Filipino artistry and a supporter of local businesses.

One of the merchants at Presente by ArteFino is Kyla Olives Laurel. Please visit her booth that offers beautiful home furnishings and lovely table settings. There are so many other stalls to visit that support local artisans and provide sustainable livelihood.

Designers’ Holiday Bazaar 2023 is now open until Dec. 10 at Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City. A nonprofit initiative to support local brands, this bazaar raises funds for Ayala Foundation and STEPs Foundation scholars.

For the benefit of Assumption HS ’81 Foundation, I held my own little pop-up with some friends to declutter my life, as well. It truly is so liberating to reduce unwanted clutter and start the season with more space for new energy. As this year comes to an end, we only wish to truly gain peace and respect for one another.