One of my fondest memories of Ben Farrales was when our group organized the 2010 grand Karilagan reunion to honor Conching Sunico with over 150 models, beauty queens and guests in Mary Madrigal de Leon’s Forbes Park home.
The moment I called him, he readily agreed to not only show up for the main event, but also lend his gowns for a dozen models and beauty queens who were mostly arriving from abroad. The only thing he specifically asked for was that Bambi Lammoglia Harper and Guada Sanchez wear his designs because they were close family friends.
He requested that I come for a fitting and on the appointed day, a dozen gowns were already hanging in the dressing room. I opted for a black and white zebra-print gown, which was not only easy to wear but looked up-to-date, considering it was at least a decade old.
During the elegant dinner reunion, Pitoy Moreno, Aureo Alonzo and Ben were swarmed by their former models and guests who were delighted to once again be with the fashion maestros. Pitoy shyly approached Ben, who was a bit cold to him due to some simmering personal differences. As I quickly whispered to Ben that Pitoy was getting to be forgetful, but obviously wanted to greet him, Ben quickly changed his attitude and their friendship was somewhat rekindled after many decades of having a cold war.
Ben, the Dean of Philippine Fashion, started his career in 1950 after finishing college in San Beda in his mid 20s. His goal then was to create beautiful clothes for women. This was the era when Philippine society ladies would have all their day and evening dresses made by top couturiers worldwide and it was considered a must to have a “Ben” in their closet. Chona Kasten, Imelda Cojuangco and Elvira Manahan were his favorite clients and style icons because they were not only beautiful to look at, they wore his creations with elegance and class.
Filipiniana- and Muslim-inspired gowns were Ben’s forte as he showcased the vibrant, vivid colors of our rich cultural heritage. These designs always brought the house down during the international shows held in the USA, Europe, the Middle East and other Asian countries that started in the mid 1960s and lasted for a couple of decades.
In 1984, Ben was the first Filipino to present a fashion show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., that ended with wild cheers and applause.
A couple of years ago, he lent me his collection of albums that were neatly filed and dated. There was a 1959 interview in a women’s magazine wherein Ben was asked how he would define a fashionable woman. His reply then still stands true today...”She is one who knows herself and knows the kind of clothes best suited to her equally well. She does not have to be a fad follower or a pace setter if her figure cannot warrant these, but she certainly must have good taste, which is always sure to be reflected in her choice of clothes. Simple lines, an effective combination of colors and good taste in fabrics. For a finishing touch, the right accessories. A truly fashionable woman does not have to load herself with heirlooms and all the family jewelry.”
Ben has always been a hardworking and creative artist with a zany, witty sense of humor. Well known for his curtness and speaking direct to the point, he will clearly state what he wants and how things should be done. It’s his way, or no way…no ifs, no buts.
Though I have to confess that I never encountered his bad temper when we were together (I met him when I was barely 16 years old as a Karilagan model). He always called me by my full name — Frannie Aguinaldo — every time we met. It wasn’t just “Frannie.” It doesn’t matter if I’ve been married — longer than I was single — I was still “Aguinaldo” to him. He always treated and spoke to me in a gentle and well-mannered way with a joke or two thrown in.
The recent fashion tribute organized by his loyal friends and clients led by Mila How with Tina Carlos, Fortune Ledesma, Vicky Magadia, Chichi Salas, Nellie Bengson, Mellie Ablaza, Mita Rufino, Helen Ong, Danny Dolor and Nolie Hans at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel was composed of his devoted followers who wanted not only to view his collection that encompassed his designs of more than 50 years, but more importantly to be with Ben on his 82nd year. He was visibly touched and emotional as throngs of friends and fans approached his table to be with him for maybe the last time.
As I greeted and held his frail hand, reminding him that I was wearing the same gown that he had given me for our Karilagan reunion in 2010, he replied softly with his trademark wry humor and half smile, “Buhay pa yan?”
Ben’s vision of designing beautiful clothes has surpassed his dreams. He’s known for being a mentor to numerous Philippine fashion designers and models who fondly call him “Mang Ben,” an avid fundraiser for charity with more than 200 fashion shows to his name, a loyal devotee of the Santo Niño and a loving but strict guardian to three brothers Salvador, Feliciano and Cesar whom he has raised since they were infants.
Ben’s former models share fond memories of the days they walked the ramp in his creations.
Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo: Ben is a designer who loves his work with clothes that are ethereal and timeless. Always jovial, he liked to tease and needle his models. Christy Flores was his beautiful muse. We traveled together on an island-hopping fashion show and several Karilagan International exploits in the mid 1960s. His craft consisted of translating tribal Moslem wear into beautiful gowns and cocktail dresses. This was his signature look.
Techie Ysmael- Bilbao: My mother, Chona, and I always had a grand time when we modeled for him here and abroad. He took care of his favorite models and expected correct behavior from everyone. He was rather strict about time, fittings, rehearsals, shows and socials with a fiery temperament when things went awry. He is known for his devotion to the Sto. Niño and loved to dress them beautifully.
Ana Arambulo: I had the honor of modeling for Mang Ben for both Karilagan and Bagong Anyo in the early ‘70s. Looking back at those days, he was the disciplinarian among the top designers of Tita Conching Sunico. He would remind us of who we represent (the Philippines) and had to be on our best behavior. I traveled with Mang Ben to the United States with Karilagan twice and the shows always received excellent reviews. Mang Ben would admonish us during these fashion tours, “Make sure you don’t gain weight or your zippers will pop.”
A stickler for punctuality — when your fitting is at 9 a.m., be there 15 minutes prior or you will get an earful from him.
Margie Moran Floirendo: Ben, your Mindanao-inspired creations make us proud of who we are. You brought out the classic elegance of the malong and brought forth through fashion what we in Mindanao are proud to wear, our ethnic and indigenous formal apparel. I have known you as a designer to be talented, professional, hardworking yet humble in acknowledging the many accolades you received. I admire you as a fashion master of my time.
Criselda Lontok: I have known Ben since my teenage years (through Edith Rabat) and he was instrumental in my entry to the modeling world. He has always been approachable though always in a hurry especially on the phone, but he will always give you a helping hand.
I congratulate Ben for having reached the apex of his well-deserved success. Kudos to you, my dear friend.
Marina Benipayo: Mang Ben truly deserves all the accolades. The Dean of Philippine Fashion is living proof that with passion and dedication, reaching for your dream is not impossible. This is his legacy and wish for the youth to emulate.
Ping Valencia: We were billeted at the Kahala Hilton for our Karilagan ’71 show and were about to “perform.” While waiting backstage for the cue, Ben whispered, “Husayan ninyo. Lumandi kayo. Nasa audience si Rex Harrison.” I didn’t know if he was joking or not. I excitedly repeated what he said, “Ano? Si Rex Harrison?”
To which he whispered demurely, “Ano fi.”
Marimi dela Fuente: My dearest Mang Ben, how can I express my appreciation for your kindness and generosity all these years? I say this not as your model or a client, but as a friend in awe of your goodness. I hold your hand tightly to thank you for being there, for always seeing to it that things where perfect, for making sure I always looked my best. I love you, Mang Ben, keep well forever.
Suzie Moya Benitez: Ben required his models to maintain the highest standards of discipline, demeanor and dedication to the craft. I appreciate the trust he gave me when the Bayanihan members modeled his collection in Hotel de Paris (Monaco) a few years ago.
He remained a friend and mentor, welcoming the idea of supporting a fashion design program for PWU.
Guada Sanchez Mclauchlan: I met Mang Ben for the very first time as a young girl of nine watching Yco basketball games. He was a good friend of both my ninang Vicky Loyzaga and my mother Tina Cuerva. He was a constant face in family gatherings and a part of the quorum that would regularly play mahjong. There were afternoons when I would pick up my mom or my aunt after school and sometimes even both if they had two tables at Mang Ben’s atelier at M. Adriatico where he would be hosting the week’s mahjong session. I remember him as a character and a great source of mirth. Plus, a fabulous host who had such tasteful and hearty meriendas for a rather hungry growing girl.
When I made the decision to join Binibining Pilipinas 1976, I do not think that there was any question as to who would be my designer. Back then, unlike the present, the contest was not just a representation of national beauty but equally a venue for national designers to showcase their creativity. It was all truly Filipino, as I believe it ought to be, and I was Mang Ben’s manok (bet)! I was a naive 16-year-old then and completely overwhelmed by the experience. Mang Ben mothered me to the very best that my teenage rebellious self would allow.
My first marriage came soon after and a short two-year stint with the Hyatt Regency at their famed La Concha further cemented my relationship with Ben. I was part of his numerous shows that were directed and choreographed by Gary G. Flores who also became very good friends with Mang Ben. In the period of two years that I did shows for Hyatt, we even managed a few trips overseas to showcase Mang Ben’s impressive collections. Those years comprised a very impressionable and defining segment of my life. And Ben Farrales was very much a part of it. I will always be grateful for the glamour and color that he contributed to it.
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