SOMETIMES, the biggest dreams come from the simplest beginnings. This is true for 25-year-old Christian Paul Manlapaz Bigcas, better known as "Chan Bigcas."
Hailing from the small municipality of San Luis in Agusan del Sur, Chan's aspirations stretch far beyond his hometown—reaching as far as the fashion capital of the world, Paris, France.
Chan shared that he designed two pieces for a Paris fashion runway, which led to him being discovered by the prestigious House of MUSA. He became their in-house designer from 2023 to 2024, during which he honed his skills and unleashed his full potential.
Chan’s designs were featured at several high-profile events, including MUSA Paris Fashion Week 2023, MUSA Pink Fashion Runway in Calgary, Canada, MUSA Barbie Pink Runway in Tagum City, MUSA Fashion Runway in Virginia, USA, and MUSA New York Fashion Week 2023.
His work also graced the first MUSA Billboard on EDSA and Times Square, New York.
British Vogue showcased his designs in their May 2024 issue, while locally, his pieces were featured at GFEST Davao in November 2023. His creations were worn by Arquilian “Kian” Agustin at Vogue Thread Manila 2024 and the BSDK DOSE event.
Despite the glamor of the fashion industry, Chan has faced numerous challenges on his journey. He opened up about battling self-doubt and the skepticism of others who dismissed his dreams as unattainable.
One of his greatest obstacles occurred in October 2022, when he was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Davao. The incident left him with broken bones and a hefty medical bill of P150,000. Though this traumatic event nearly derailed his dream of studying fashion, Chan's school supported him, allowing him to continue his education without compromising his health.
“I always choose positivity over hatred and accept every challenge that God gives, whether negative or positive. I will still be thankful because heartbreaks and failures make you stronger, and of course, they come with life lessons that strengthen your faith in God,” he said.
Now a fourth-year student at the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Chan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design. Upon graduation, he hopes to become a renowned fashion designer. His advice to others chasing their dreams is to never give up, to rise again if their plans falter, and to stay humble, no matter how high they climb.
He added, “Everyone has a different path. If your initial plan fails, rise again, because dreams don’t get denied; they’re simply biding their time to shine!" RGP