Sunday Lifestyle

Aquino commemorative items at Greenbelt 5

February 27, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Inspired by the People Power at EDSA, Greenbelt presents a collection of memorabilia from the Aquino family and the Ayala Museum to relive the victory that has been won. Believing in this cause, participating Greenbelt merchants shared clothing and accessories inspired by the spirit of EDSA. These mementoes are aimed at sustaining awareness of the cause expressed at EDSA 25 years ago.

An exhibit showcasing a collection of commemorative items from the Aquino family, Ayala Museum, and its merchant partners Swatch, Bench, Bayo, Collezione C2, Myth, and Philip Stein is on view until today at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery. Presidential sisters Viel and Balsy Aquino formally opened the exhibit together with Ayala Malls vice president and chief operation officer Rowena Tomeldan, vice president and head of business development Cora Dizon, and Ayala Museum director Guillermo Luz.

The show features various limited-edition pieces from participating merchants, memorabilia from the Ayala Museum as well as photos that remind us of the courage and bravery our fellowmen mustered to fight for freedom and democracy.

Swatch displays its limited-edition Cory Aquino Swatch watch designed by Jaime Zobel de Ayala, which was launched at the Ayala Museum on the eve of what would have been Cory Aquino’s 77th birthday.

Swatch time: The limited-edition Cory Aquino Swatch watch designed by Jaime Zobel

Bench, on the other hand, presents its Pinoy Lab by Bench “I am Ninoy” and “I am Cory” Collection that come in their distinct black, yellow, and white variations — colors closely associated with the Aquinos.

Bayo shows its “I am Cory” collection that merges fashion, art, history and philanthropy featuring the colorful paintings of the late President Cory Aquino. Part of the proceeds of sales are used to support the advocacies of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation.

For Collezione C2, designer and artist Rhett Eala designed a yellow and black ensemble for the campaign wardrobe of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who donned it from candidacy to presidency.

With a design primarily inspired by Cory’s signature color, Philip Stein’s Corazon Aquino Commemorative watch features a yellow ribbon on the dial and a yellow lizard leather strap with engraved phrase on the caseback: “A Tribute to the 11th President of the Philippines Corazon C. Aquino — Mother of Democracy.”

Pinoy and proud: Pinoy Lab by Bench "I am Ninoy" and "I am Cory" Collection comes in black, yellow and white variations - colors closely associated with the Aquinos.

Myth designers Joel Escober and Chris Diaz’s works are also on view. Escober’s classic canvas shift dresses boast pop art style prints of Ninoy Aquino. Diaz’s work, on the other hand, is a yellow Cory Aquino-inspired dress that denotes her style: feminine, reserved and fuss-free.

Items from the personal collection of the Aquino family include the Ninoy Aquino statue that was presented to the family by sculptor Tito Sanchez. It is a study of an eight-meter monument that he made in the 1980s, commissioned by the governor of Pampanga and has since been standing in San Fernando. There’s also a portrait of former President Cory Aquino and Ninoy and Cory-inspired dolls from Precious Moments.

Special guests were Virgie Ramos of Swatch, Ben Chan of Bench, Vohne and Ivan Yao of Philip Stein, Rhett Eala and Joey Qua of Collezione C2, Ruby Gan of Myth, Pinky Estrebillo, Lynn Agustin and Cor Bitong of Bayo.