Hiblang Filipina 2007

The cavernous Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel became the latest fashion arena as fourteen designers presented their original ideas in design less than a month ago with our very own fashion czar Philip Rodriguez as one of the chosen few. The fashion show aimed to inspire and encourage women to uphold the fundamental values of womanhood through the creative expressions of the distinct fibers of their identity in styles of elegance, dignity, decency, and good taste.

Precisely called Hiblang Filipina 2007, the history inspired fashion show recalls the marvelous fibers (hibla) of leadership that our women leaders and achievers wove with dignity, courage, determination, goodwill and a lot of charms besides, into the fabric of an indispensable right that all Filipino women enjoy in these modern times. To them, the National Federation of Women's Club Foundation (NFWC) gave the tribute of gratitude for the strong fibers of womanhood that they have left for women leaders of today to continually spin and weave into the unending commitment of service to God, country and family.

For the very same reason, NFWC Foundation has chosen outstanding women leaders of our times who possess similar attributes and qualities in their lives and their accomplishments, uniquely embodying excellence of service in their respective fields of endeavor as recipients of the Woman-Suffrage Diamond Jubilee Outstanding Women Achievers Award. With this year marked as the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the 1937 Suffrage Act of the Philippines that granted the right of Filipino women to vote, NFWC Foundation presented the following awardees- our very own Madame Margot Osmeña and Ms. Rosario de Veyra-Utzurrum along with Hon. Helena Benitez, Hon. Loren Legarda. Hon. Adelina Rodriguez, Hon. Cynthia Villar, Hon. Soraya Jafaar-Golez, Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, Honorary Consul Amelia Ablaza, Ms. Rosa Rosal, Ms. Regina Paz Lopez and Ms. Wilma Galvante who received their awards in Filipiniana finery.

Philip Rodriguez' much anticipated collection did not disappoint. It conjured the 50's glamour era of Philippine movies wherein LVN, Sampaguita and Premier Pictures had their own stable of stars adept in social graces and good grooming. All at the same time, Filipinos were rediscovering glamour after years of war and depression. Thus, jeweled hues and rich ornamentation were evident. The silhouette and fabrication were figure flattering, feminine and fluid. His menswear was a champagne colored coat and matching necktie and black trousers reminiscent of the post war era.

To honorees Madame Margot Osmeña and Ms. Rosario de Veyra-Utzurrum and designer Philip Rodriguez, bravissimo!