Saturday, August 16, 2008 Go: A fashion project By Charlene Go Lakwatsa
HEARING of our local talents successfully making headlines because of their skills no longer comes as a surprise to me. Whether it is in music, art or fashion, Cebuano’s have rightfully proven their place in the spotlight.
It’s been quite sometime that I had not heard from a friend of mine who always used to send me a text message around mid-day just to make his presence known or maybe just to say a quick hello.
After months of silence, it was such a lovely surprise to receive a warm, heart-felt greeting from him. There was so much energy and excitement in just one text. I couldn’t wait to find out what exactly was going on.
To make the long story short, we chatted over a cuppa about his months of experience in the big city of Manila where he had to compete against 13 other vivacious fashion designers from different parts of the country. The tilt was a reality television series in search for the next big Filipino fashion designer, Project Runway Philippines.
I’ve always been a believer of his talent and skill. His work to me has always exhibited glamour in simplicity and his designs are classic yet trendy. But to top it all, they are unique and one-of-a-kind, which truly show off his personality. I am talking about Lory Mer Villareal.
Although Lory is a self-taught fashion designer, his passion for the art clearly surpasses his knowledge of it. He became one of the country’s representatives in the International Competition of Young Fashion Designers in Paris in 2005 after receiving the Cebu Young Designers award.
However, Lory is not the only Cebuano in the competition. We are also proud to be routing for Lord Maturan, winner of the Cebu Young Designers Council in 2007; and Saudia Arabia based Cebuano designer Philip Tampus.
Of the reality show, Lory said, “This is what I do best.” In response to that, I would have to say “I am proud of what you do best!”
Meanwhile, it was a white weekend as one of Cebu’s most sought after bachelors. Blake Go celebrated his birthday on the eighth month, of the eighth day of 2008.
Family and friends gathered in his Maria Luisa home, enjoying the breathtaking view amidst the fire-lit sky while dancing to the sound of the drumbeat, and mesmerized by fire dancers. Cheers to you, Blake!
