Style, fashion and society magazine covered the fashion show of the year, The Valera Look for 1968, held at the Sheraton Hotel, sponsored by the Yujuico family for the benefit of Boys Town, San Pablo Diocesan Seminary and Sta. Rosa Parish Church in Laguna.
On the cover of Style was Cherry Pie Villonco (second and third from left), wearing softly flattering white gown, studded with butterfly-like rhinestones.
White mostly was the color of The Valera fashion event, the formal gowns worn by Cherry Pie, Maita Gomez and Baby Santiago (rightmost), accented by feathers and wide black belts.
Fashion writers described The Valera Fashion Look for 1968 as: ‘completely feminine,’ ‘most fabulous,’ ‘spectacular,’ ‘utter simplicity.’
Maita (leftmost) was later crowned Miss Republic of the Philippines and, in a move which shocked high society where she belonged, went underground and joined the New People’s Army. Her daughter, Melissa Perez Rubio, briefly entered the movies. Maita died a few years back of cancer.
Baby won the Queen of the Pacific title and worked for the Department of Tourism. She married a Thai businessman, the former husband of Miss Universe Apasra Hongsakula.
Cherry Pie is Mrs. Leo Lazatin. The Villoncos owned Life Theater in Quiapo, which used to be the home of Sampaguita movies. — RKC