Colours Gala, civic leader Kaye Tinga’s latest project, got a boost from businessman Manny Pangilinan, head honcho of Cignal TV, the event’s presenter.

Before the evening was over, Pangilinan had donated 2,000 computers to Lightomorrow Project, the event’s beneficiary. The project is an innovative educational platform that relies heavily on technology to bring the school to the student.

“By using technology to bring the school to the student, we are able to turn communities into classrooms and give all children a chance,” said Tinga in an e-mail interview.

Colours Gala, which debuted recently with London-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo as featured talent, shouldn’t be confused with the older Red Charity Gala, an annual project that

Tinga and Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto-Valdes co-chair.

“The two events benefit different causes, which is the main reason we stage these events. Truly, we can’t have enough support for charitable organizations, and I’ve been very fortunate to be involved in both events,” said Tinga.

Both are sit-down dinner events capped off with a fashion show. Valdes, in a lesser capacity, is also involved in Colours Gala, which shares the name of Cignal TV’s lifestyle magazine channel.

“The channel aims to bring lifestyle entertainment to the local market that’s entertaining, exciting and socially relevant, which is also our aim for the Colours Gala,” said Tinga. “We also saw it as an opportunity to celebrate Filipino creativity and inspire our youth with the success story of a countryman (Mobo), who was able to make it in the global stage.”

To turn the huge Arena into a fashion venue, Tinga collaborated with the show’s director, Ariel Lozada, as well as with Maggie Gineta, Noel Manapat and John Batalla. Margarita Fores, the event’s caterer, and Antonio Garcia also collaborated and shared their ideas.

“We were able to raise funds through our sponsors such as Smart, PLDT, Sun Cellular, BDO and the Department of Tourism, which believed in what we were trying to accomplish,” said Tinga. “MVP (Pangilinan) did say this is the first Colours Gala, so we hope it will be an annual event that will greatly benefit our advocacy.”