Beautiful patriots

Amidst our country’s numerous socio-economic problems and crises, it’s good to know that many of our citizens – the most privileged ones at that – still take pride in being a Filipino.

One of them is Beatriz Susana Zobel Jr., patron of the arts and philanthropist who remains rooted to the country of her birth – the Philippines. Together with The Timeless Terno Project co-chair Luli Macapagal Arroyo, Metropolitan Museum director Victorino Manalo, Met Board of Trustees chairman Joselito Campos, the Cabinet Spouses Foundation led by Lovely Romulo, media consultant Mons Romulo-Tantoco, Karen Santos and Bench creative director Ben Chan, they strived to bring back the pride in being a Filipino through an event honoring tradition and the fineries of the old world.

For Bea, sacrificing time and effort for love of country is but natural. Her recent feat was a very successful event which paid tribute to the terno, that distinctive garment that signifies the grace and sophistication of olden times and truly 100 percent Filipino. Held in the august halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, this fashion show which featured young Filipino designers and paid homage to legendary master designer Joe Salazar, was organized to make the terno not only a costume for Filipiniana de rigeur events, but make it an integral part of everyday living and socials.

Creative and colorful ternos adorned the catwalk that evening and showed both its historic significance and the ingenuity of the artists who designed them. After the much-applauded show, guests dined on sumptuous fare by the Mandarin Oriental and finest wines especially flown in from Australia by the Hunter Valley Wine Society.

The event marks another triumph for Bea and her main supporters – Jaime Augusto Zobel, the Elizaldes, Kitkat and Lizzie Zobel, who selflessly assisted Bea in this commendable endeavor. It was such a delight seeing a roomful of prominent people such as the P.L. Lims, the Cojuangcos, the Montinolas, Mercy Tuason, Ronnie and Menchu Concepcion and a great many more united in one goal, which is to bring back traditional values into focus. Another major contributor to this laudable effort is the two-time Papal Awardee, the ever elegant, generous and classic beauty, philanthropist Imelda Cojuangco. Your columnist would also like to thank Peter Natividad of the Met for his kind assistance.

For as long as we have people such as Meldy Co and the Zobels who persevere for the cause of art and make us conscious and proud of our national identity, there is hope yet for a bright future for all Filipinos.

Congratulations, Bea!