The goal is not to trip.

With some of this year’s Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP) being first-timers on the runway, doing the walk is something they’re dreading and working on getting ready for.

“We are not fashion models and we don’t have the training for it, but if we finish this without tripping, that itself will be an accomplishment,” said Girlie Gutierrez, whose family owns Arlo Construction and Development Corp., during a recent shopping party at Roger Vivier in Greenbelt 3 for the BDWP ladies.

“We get to wear our clothes that normally would just be in our closets. Now there’s a greater purpose,” she said of the BDWP, which will hold its 21st fashion show in September. The yearly fundraiser taps into people’s sense of style and philanthropy for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society.

According to honorary consul to Angola and BDWP founder Helen Ong, the event raised around P23 million last year, every cent of which went to the care of cancer patients of any stage, saying that some organizations only help public hospital patients with up to stage 2 cancer. “We are helping everyone according to their needs. Even if it’s a private hospital, we are helping everyone.

“We have home care. We send fruits. If there’s nothing else to be done and their case is terminal, we talk to their relatives about how to deal with the patients to help them die happy,” said Ong.

The BDWP nominees are volunteers, Ong explained, but it takes more than just giving money to patients and dressing well to be included. “They’re all of good moral character, and then they’re all helping,” she said.

Happy family

Gutierrez, for whom the nomination came as a surprise, dazzled in her tailored feminine look during the interview with Lifestyle. But as she spoke about her family, she glowed even more.

Having married early (“I found the one at a young age”), Gutierrez doesn’t look it, but she already has a 30-year-old son—a partylist representative. With her other son also in politics, the mother of four feels proud.

“I think they have it in them to help people, to contribute in that sense and help build the nation,” she said.

Her personal advocacy, however, is “just to keep my family very happy and content.”

She added, “It is hard, actually. It takes so much effort to do that as well,” stressing the big role parents play in the choices their children make.

But she would like to get more involved with charity, saying she would especially like ones that help young patients of the Philippine General Hospital as a way to give back for having been blessed with many kids.

“It gives you great comfort. When you’re in a position to help other people, it somehow gives you a purpose in life,” she said.

Dancing doctor

Dr. Daisy Tabuena may be internet-famous as one-half of the Dancing Doctors of Iloilo duo with her husband, Dr. Rollin Tabuena (one of this year’s Men of Influence), but for her, strutting down a runway is a different thing altogether.

“We’re not models so we have to practice,” she said. But she’s up for the challenge. “I think it’s also a good avenue for improvement. Because being a doctor does not mean that you only go to the hospital. You can have other things like this. It’s good for mental health.”

Despite having flown in from Iloilo City the night before, Tabuena looked fresh in her floral frock. “This is something very new to me. I’m touched because I have never been into beauty contests or anything like that.”

But helping patients isn’t anything new to her; in fact, it’s part of her profession.

Tabuena started practicing as an adult neurologist back in 2002, having received further studies in nerve and muscle disorders in Japan. She revealed that she was the first to study electromyography and nerve conduction, and is currently one of only two adult neurologists in the entire Western Visayas (it used to be only her).

Aside from that, she also serves three to four times a year as a voluntary consultant in one of the government hospitals in Iloilo City, where she gives free service to all patients admitted with neurologic concerns on her assigned dates.

“Being a doctor is stressful. But somehow, it is rewarding,” Tabuena said.

Construction and charity

As “Ina ng Masa,” Makati City councilor Ina Sarosa may sometimes have to wear “rugged” clothes in front of her constituents. But her style is rather elegant and classic as she strode—earlier than anyone else—into the Roger Vivier store.

The former TV and print ad model has been in politics since the ‘90s, when she won in the first Sangguniang Kabataan elections. On her second term as city councilor, she’s been dedicating her time to improving the plight of women, family, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.

Also an entrepreneur, Sarosa has a real estate business and recently put up a construction materials company.

“Ever since, I’ve been into construction and charity,” she said. She may have a lot on her plate, but she said she makes sure to always look nice and neat when she goes out, so it’s no surprise that she landed a spot as one of this year’s lineup of best dressed women.

“I can be very flexible—from construction to sports and fitness. It’s very important,” the golf, yoga and scuba diving enthusiast added.

“I feel elated, excited, and very, very grateful to be recognized,” she said. “I feel very humbled by the recognition.”

She said the fundraiser is a great avenue for her to extend help to not just those who live within Makati, but the whole Philippines. “I’m very grateful to be a part of it because I believe I’ll be able to contribute something to this charitable project.”

Grateful heart

Tokyo Glam CEO Michelle Takijima has been answering calls for donations whenever there are calamities for a while now, but she considers her participation in the BDWP her first real venture into philanthropy.

“My heart is so grateful,” she said. “For me, it’s kind of a reward for yourself; you feel good when you help less fortunate people.”

And she feels flattered for being included in this year’s best dressed. But while she loves being glammed up all the time, she’s also feeling a bit of pressure this time around, having to really “expose” herself.

Having her glam team work on her gives Takijima the much-needed and feel-good break from her busy schedule, saying that enjoying a balanced life is extremely important for her.

According to her, while we do need to earn a living, we also have to pursue our passions and pleasures—things that make us happy—as well as spend time with our families.

“And, of course, help those who are in need, because it’s really different extending your arms to other people,” she said, adding that the grateful feeling is something that cannot be bought. “The real happiness inside your heart is different.”