They’ll never walk alone

It was not only a night of fashion but an evening full of inspiring stories of triumph at the ICanServe Foundation’s Fashion Can Serve fundraising event at the Raffles Hotel in Makati City recently.

The country’s top designers, models and muses came together to create awareness and raise support for ICanServe and its advocacy of breast cancer awareness and early detection.

During the event, fashion designers Randy Ortiz, Dennis Lustico, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, Mark Bumgarner and Patty Ang presented their collections, inspired by the courageous journeys of the breast cancer survivors.

Derek Ramsay opened the show for Randy Ortiz in a custom-made black tuxedo. Randy’s muses included Michelle Marquez Dee, daughter of breast cancer advocate Melanie Marquez; Iza Calzado, breast cancer awareness supporter who walked in tribute to her stepmoms Myrna Razon and Rosalyn Abolo; plastic and  breast reconstructive surgeon Dr. Catherine Yap-Asedillo, and breast surgeon and Breast Center consultant/director Dr. Erwin Alcazaren, both of The Medical City, walking with breast cancer survivor Carmen Araneta; and model Kara Gozali with mom and breast cancer survivor Dr. Ma. Lourdes Gozali.

Patty Ang’s segment was opened by Carla Abellana, who walked in support of breast cancer survivor Maritoni Fernandez. She was then followed by Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon, breast cancer survivor Amanda LuYm with cousin Cacay Moras-Server, James Deakin who walked in support of his mother Marimil and his aunt Jean; and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

Breast cancer survivor and ICanServe Cebu chapter head Me’Anne Solomon, movie director and breast cancer survivor Olive Lamasan, along with breast cancer survivor Rita Nazareno and best friend Maxine Chua were the muses of Patrice Ramos-Diaz.

The muses of Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, who were all visually stunning in turquoise dresses, were breast cancer survivor Frances Yu with her sister Crickette Tantoco, as well as restaurateurs and sisters-in-law and breast cancer survivors Margarita Fores and Malou Fores.

Dennis Lustico’s muses were breast cancer survivor and ICanServe spokesperson Bibeth Orteza who was later joined by her son Rafa Siguion-Reyna. Other notable names who walked the runway were actor and Sun Life ambassador Matteo Guidicelli with breast cancer survivor Lorenza Huang of Sun Life; and breast cancer survivor Beth Romualdez with daughter Via Reyes.

Closing the event was Mark Bumgarner. Breast cancer survivor Chuchu Madrigal walked with her daughter Alex Eduque, followed by breast cancer survivor and ICanServe Foundation president Tang Singson with Heart Evangelista-Escudero.

Since it was established in 1999, ICanServe Foundation has become one of the biggest and most influential foundations for breast cancer in the Philippines. ICanServe has made its mission to help and support women with breast cancer. It advocates early detection breast exams and initiate community-based programs that extend medical support and empower women through education and information.

Through the Fashion Can Serve fundraising event, ICanServe hopes to raise support for its flagship program, “Ating Dibdibin,” which was first established in 2007.

The event was hosted by Raffles Makati in partnership with Philip Stein. Co-presenter was Sun Life. It was also supported by Security Bank, Del Monte Philippines, Marie France, PAGCOR, The Medical City and Estée Lauder.

(For more information, visit www.icanservefoundation.org/.)

An afternoon with Doña Elena

Nothing beats a good conversation over glorious food. But there’s also a different high in preparing these sumptuous dishes for yourself or for your loved ones.

That’s why Doña Elena Olive Oil treated trade partners and friends to a mouthwatering and fun-filled cooking class at the New World Manila Bay recently. Executive chef James Williams and his team shared two dishes that can be recreated at home: seafood paella and gazpacho, both widely known for their distinct flavor.

Doña Elena puts emphasis on the importance of making smart choices when it comes to the ingredients of our food. Its products are made from olives that are harvested and bottled in Spain, considered the world’s largest and most reputable source of olive oil.

At the event, hosted by Bianca King, guests enjoyed a four-course Spanish lunch. They also feasted on New World Manila Bay Hotel’s rabo de toro (oxtail stew) and navajas al ajillo (razor clams with garlic) washed down with sangria made with Doña Elena wine.

Fly Ace Corp. president Jun Cochanco shared that the secret behind the success of the brand is the company’s commitment to bring the best food and beverages of the world to the Filipinos. Doña Elena Olive Oil is distributed by Fly Ace Corp.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)