One Cebu Expo: Fashion Forward

CEBU, Philippines - The newly refurbished Museo Sugbo was a fitting location for the One Cebu Expo show, what with the huge square at the epicenter as what used to be the basketball court when it was still used as the provincial jail. Most fitting was a sense of liberation from anything constricting as evident from the featured designers on the runway. One tank dress from Cary Santiago on comebacking ubermodel Marjay Ramirez was even emblazoned with what looked like a million stars and a plumed headpiece (an ode to the uniformed guards that once haunted the establishment perhaps?). More from the silver collection were tiny tops matched with jodhpurs from Hadji Alejandro, a mid-calf dress reminiscent of the roaring 20s from William Manahan, a pair of lame leggings and bubble top plus a shrug from Ivan Belocura and surprise, a V-neck jersey sweater, leggings, a sheer shirtjack and wool shorts only from Protacio.

It wasn’t all genteel games on the long runway. For colorific hues also hit the designers’ palate. For starters, Edwin Ao worked a neoprene blue long-sleeved dress with peek-a-boo and a jet sequined detailing. Red and hot, meanwhile, were inspired by the 80s glam gear of Charlie’s Angels as Wendell Quisido unleashed his glamazon on the runway. Perhaps a little on the young side for the budding fashionista were a hooded color-blocked mini dress from Lord Maturan and a multi-tiered bubble gum pink bustier dress from cutie preggy doll-like Barbie Alvez. The designers’ message wasn’t exactly coherent, but it was definitely not boxed in. What did look focused, however, was the designers’ collective effort in showcasing the best Cebu has to offer.

Bravissimo!