Vince Ian Joseph Pepito and Hayley Sheen Tapil, CTU-Tuburan Interns / Writers
“Blooms,” an annual gathering organized by Ayala Center Cebu and the Cebu Bougainvillea Group, launched the “Petals and Threads Fashion Show” on April 25, 2025, at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu. The event brought together designers, models, and plantitas for a showcase of a floral-inspired runway experience and exhibit.
The show opened with a lively dance performance by the PHGYW Family that brought color and energy to the stage, setting the mood for the night. It sparked excitement and made the crowd bloom with curiosity. As the runway blossomed with floral-inspired outfits, the show became more than just a display of clothes — it became a garden of local fashion in full bloom. Each store under Bougainvillea stood out like a flower, showcasing styles proudly rooted in Cebu.
“It’s an Ayala Center Cebu exclusive partnership with the Cebu Bougainvillea Group, so we started with a small exhibit at the Activity Center until, year on year, it has become bigger. We already have an exhibitor from Dumaguete. The trust behind this was sustainability — promoting and supporting the local industry. It’s also the best time of the year to really feature how beautiful Cebu can be, and it’s a niche because of the bougainvillea. It’s really an opportunity for them to showcase their collection,” said Janra Montilla, lead for marketing at Ayala Malls Cebu, when asked about the inspiration behind the “Petals and Threads” fashion show.
One by one, the models walked down the runway in floral-inspired dresses and gowns, leaving the audience in awe, mesmerized by how gracefully they carried each look. The esteemed designers who showcased their creations were Mel Maria, Edwin Alba, Ia Coca, Angela Dado, Maria Navarete, Yoko Sato, Maria Dado, Ayka Lim, Valerie Alvez, and Phillip Tampus.
When asked how the featured designers and collections were chosen for the night’s runway, Montilla shared, “We’ve worked with The Fashion Institute Group in the past, so they were the ones who nominated the designers — who else to tap, right? It’s the best designers in Cebu — the young, blossoming designers of Cebu. So, in line with Bloom, they are the fully bloomed and the blossoming designers of Cebu.”
The main goal of the event, Montilla reiterated, was to shine a spotlight on local designers, local models and local blossoms like bougainvillea.
On the other side of the event, “Blooms: Buds and Blossoms Fair” also took place. The event featured local gardens showcasing different kinds of bougainvillea in various colors — variegated, imported and local. Many guests, especially plantitas, were seen taking photos, exploring each garden and even buying some plants on display.
The night ended with the launch of this year’s “Blooms: Buds and Blossoms Fair” through a ceremonial rite of watering — a symbolic gesture to mark and welcome the blooming season. The fair will be open until May 4, 2025.