Rock ng Republika makes noise for a worthy cause

What do Philippine charity organizations, fashion and rock music have in common? Nothing, really. Unless they decide to unite for a cause.

This is what happened when the Princess Bato Group decided to join forces with Yabang Pinoy, RockEd Philippines and Manila’s Five Loveliest Foundation to make a significant impact on today’s generation. Soon afterwards, the concept for Rock ng Republika was born, kicking in spiked heels and screaming to be heard. The four organizations together will present a fashion show, featuring the exclusive collections of young, talented, up-and-coming designers in the industry. These collections were to be created from native Filipino materials – abel from Ilocos, malongs from Davao, katcha, abaca and cotton – and modeled to live Pinoy rock music. The goal was to redefine, reinvent and revive Filipiniana to exist in the now and spark with a newfound sense of national pride among the youth. Bound by their passion and determination to make a difference, the organizers pooled their resources and together prepared to make some noise.

After sleepless months of planning, countless cups of coffee and inexhaustible will power, Rock ng Republika unleashed itself at the Rockwell Loft last Saturday, taking the form of a spectacular, mind-blowing show hosted by Sam Oh and directed by Quark Henares (with the help of Erwin Romulo, Mads Adrias and Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo of HG). Five different fashion houses showcased their collections to songs from five different bands, as a silent auction went on for each of the original, one-of-a-kind ensembles. Exclusive Rock ng Republika shirts designed by Katrina Encanto (printed by I Love You) and Analog Soul were on the racks, next to limited-edition Yabang Pinoy bracelets, dyed the colors of the Filipino flag for the event. The proceeds will go to fill the sparse library and food pantry of the Bantay Bata Children’s Village in Bulacan. Certainly not an easy task to accomplish, but it was tackled in full, fabulous force by all those involved.

The curious and eager public gathered at the Rockwell Loft on a Saturday night and as they sipped Jägermeister shots and Kape ni Juan frapuccinos and munched on Ilocos Empanadas from Taco Ilocano, wondered what the evening had in store for them.

The hundreds of socialites, indie rockers and avant-garde luminaries that trooped to the Loft were wowed instantly by the opening riffs of Narda’s Molotov, as lead singer Katwo Librando led a slam-dancing, heel-stomping crowd of models to unveil the first collection of the evening, Finina & Swee’s "Quiapo Cosmopolitan." Girls from Manila’s Five Loveliest foundation pranced through the audience dressed as debutantes in billowy couture, batting their eyelashes and flashing copper wire handbags and accessories by Ming Ong of Kathang Kamay. "Rock ng Republika," firecracker Katwo shrieked into her megaphone as the audience kicked up its heels and cheered on the first collection.

Next up in the fanfaronades was the collection from I Love You’s vintage mavericks, presented in the manner of a beauty pageant. Elegant evening gowns paired heavy, contrasting fabrics like satin and hand-woven abaca as the designs of Mimi Sanson, Nins Gomez, Geoff Gonzales, Mike Lavarez and Kat Compuesto paraded to several pedestals spread out amongst the crowd. Among the models were Miss FTV winner, Klaudia Lim, and one of Manila’s most photographed models, Ornusa Cadness. Music by indie pop band The Dorques set the pace as each model strutted her stuff. The segment drew to a dramatic and entertaining close when the I Love You designers came out, awarding every model a sash (with clever puns like "Miss Understood" and "Miss Cellaneous"), crown and bouquet of flowers with the melodramatic exaggeration often demonstrated at beauty pageants.

Up next came Analog Soul, a ready-to-wear line of graphically designed, urban chic clothing. Themed after high school cliques and movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dazed and Confused and Mean Girls, the collection opened with four fierce Heatherettes stomping through the audience, throwing killer stares in all directions. Dark funk music from Liquid Jane crept through the Loft as the models crossed paths to strike a pose on the catwalk. A most entertaining surprise came when the menswear models of Analog Soul swaggered in as beer-swilling, heartbreaking jocks. Girls in the audience began to squeal uncontrollably as cameras flashed double-time upon recognizing Kapatid lead vocalist Karl Roy and model Borgy Manotoc, who pulled up his polo to flash I Love You’s Rock ng Republika shirt underneath.

Next in the lineup of fashion design luminaries was Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo, a young heavyweight in the Philippine fashion world for her consistently innovative design concepts. The haunting, velvety bass lines and keyboards of the Chillitees’ Paikot-ikot opened the set as honey-voiced Uela Basco strolled through the crowd, wearing the first of four outfits named and fashioned after comic book characters. Stoic, pale-faced models stepped atop the scattered pedestals to strike beautifully intimidating poses, following the deliberate drumbeats of the band. Textured A-line shift dresses, crisscrossed ruffles and cinched waists characterized the designer’s dark and powerful collection.

Closing the show was the quirky, graffiti-themed collection of designer Twinkle Ferraren paired with the hyper-synthesized dance beats of Pedicab. Diego Mapa, dressed in all white (as were other band members and accompanying artists from the Chillitees, Dan and Jon), and an equestrian helmet tore through the audience, dancing and singing lyrics to the band’s latest single, Bleached Streaks. Models boogied to the electrified beats in the designer’s playful creations, eagerly taking Mapa’s lead. The lot came round a second time and to the crowd’s amazement, incorporated a surprise performance art number to close the show with Pedicab’s Dito Tayo Sa Dilim! This time clutching cans of spray paint, the models and designer came up to the stage and took turns covering the different band members in multicolored neon streaks. Included in the lineup was TV personality and supermodel Phoemela Baranda, who mischievously got away with painting a bright orange streak across Dan’s keyboard!

It goes without saying that Rock ng Republika was a smashing success, unlike any other show seen this year. The event would not have been possible without the media support of PEOPLE Asia, Burn magazine, MTV Philippines, NU 107.5, 99.5 RT, RX 93.1, 103.5 KLITE and Summit Media. Special mention should be given to Brian Tenorio and Miren Facultad of Tenorio Manila (for providing the delectable shoes), RB Chanco and the Lasalle College International Makeup students, Sabs Hernandez and her team, Frank Provost, Blue Rain Multimedia, Kerplunk! Studios, McDonald’s, Astorga Handloom and Crafts, Matina Town Square in Davao City and Museo of Ilocos Norte. Without the combined efforts of all those involved, Rock ng Republika would have remained merely a dream. Thanks to all the hard work, passion, creativity, resourcefulness and heart put into the show, it has become more than a reality. It has become an earth-shattering movement, uniting contemporaries in fashion, music and art for a noble cause and a rollicking good, kick-ass time!

May the voice of Rock ng Republika echo into the future!

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Wisdom and wisecracks are always welcome at whippersnappergirl@hotmail.com.