MARLON Tuazon. Frederick Policarpio. Jojo Macapinlac. Rosette Ramos-Biag.
These four designers are known for their fierce couture creations.
Before the pandemic happened, they'd known each other as competitors in the field of design, weddings and events. But, something changed as the pandemic put their industry to a pause.
These four designers have put aside their competition and started working together to help fellow Kapampangans in need.
“Our first collaboration was when we worked together to create and donate masks to our frontliners and other fellow Kapampangans who did not have access to masks,” Tuazon recalled. “That was around March to April when mask supply was scarce.”
After donating their mask creations, they worked together one more time to create personal protective equipment (PPE) suits which they also donated to local frontliners.
These projects have created a bond among these four designers which drove them to come up with another collaboration - the ChristMASK For-A-Cause Project.
“This collaboration features four handcrafted Christmas-themed masks from each one of us that comes in a nice locally-made box, and a hand-sanitizer from Beautéderm Corporation,” Ramos-Biag shared.
Policarpio explained that their handcrafted masks follow the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for cloth masks.
“Our masks are three-ply, one layer of which is cotton, as set by the WHO,” Policarpio said.
Macapinlac shared that a portion of their sales will be donated to the Aeta children of Sitio Target in Barangay Sapang Bato.
Every box of ChristMASK includes a red checkered mask from Macapinlac, a 3D mask from Tuazon, a star-printed mask from Policarpio, and a hearts-stitched mask from Ramos-Biag.
The four designers also tapped Beautéderm Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Rhea Aninoche-Tan. Thus, each box also contains a Caress hand-sanitizer.
The box was designed by Angeles-based print shop Oops! (https://www.facebook.com/the.oops.shop/).
The ChristMASK For-A-Cause project is fully supported by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, and Executive Assistant IV Reina Bella Manuel.
“These four designers came to the office of Mayor Lazatin about this project. Of course, we’re happy to assist and support them,” Manuel shared.
Manuel added that the city government chose the Aeta kids as beneficiaries “since Christmas is for our children.”
Tuazon, Policarpio, Macapinlac and Ramos-Biag have earlier supported and continue to support the city government’s face-mask livelihood program, sharing their time and talent, and personal designs to home-based seamstresses.
Want to get your box of the limited-edition ChristMASKs from four of the best designers in town?
Executive Assistant Manuel said these masks are available at the Angeles City One Town, One Product (Otop) store at the Heritage District, Otop store’s Shopee account, and at Ramos-Biag’s shop.
“By purchasing these masks, you not only get high-quality designer masks, but you get to help an Aeta kid have a merry Christmas,” Manuel said.