Where glamour gives back
“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money but in the joy of achievement.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
When an annual project is solidly united in its mission to promote Filipino fashion and generate funds for charity, the outcome is always a resounding success. After months of preparation, our Red Charity Gala (RCG) hearts are filled with gratitude and joy.
RCG co-chair Kaye Tinga and I are grateful for making glamour give back. Together with Bench and The Peninsula Manila, we celebrated fashion with a purpose.
Since 2009, RCG has always been about this: 100 percent of proceeds go directly to charity—Philippine Red Cross, Assumption HS 81 Foundation, and Hope for Lupus Foundation. Through the years, we have also added Save the Philippine Seas by Jewelmer, Operation Smiles of Cebu’s generous dame Mariquita Leung, Philippine Eagle Foundation through Globe, Inquirer Foundation, and many more.
It takes a village
RCG is overwhelmed with pride in showcasing the incredible talent of the country’s top fashion designers, from our first designer Dennis Lustico to this year’s JC Buendia—14 years of proving that style can serve.
To our other sponsors—Avignon, Diagold, Emirates, Globe Platinum, Jewelmer, Philippine Airlines, RE/MAX Philippines, Usana—thank you for your continued trust. We were generously supported by Cointreau, Crate & Barrel, GenteelHome, Grafik Pinehouse Baguio, Loca Loka, Maison de Rivoli, Quest Plus Clark, Mimosa Golf, Shang Properties, The Bellevue Manila, The Bellevue Resort, Uratex, and Woodbridge.
There were so many timely incidents that happened, making this memorable affair even more spectacular. Since I arrived just two weeks before the gala, I had to work remotely with Norman Cruz of Adworks Manila to rush the invites. They have sponsored our invitations for many years and also design our bid cards.
Winners and winning performances
While Barbie Gonzales of Emirates was aboard celebrating her 40th birthday, she arranged for Emirates Business Class tickets to be auctioned. My gorgeous friend Joy Rustia won this bid, and she also received Peninsula Manila staycation packages.
My good friend Steven Ticzon of Crate & Barrel was originally not going to bid but still did and won the Philippine Airlines Business Class tickets to Chicago and Peninsula Hotel Chicago. Thanks to Tim Yap’s magic, Steven and his partner Rob Martin won the bid since they got married at The Peninsula Chicago 10 years ago!
Until two days before the gala, we had The Company as our entertainment during dinner. They generously performed pro bono, and we are so thankful. Looking for additional talent, I found multi-awarded sultry singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio, who performed three songs, including an original piece.
During their soundcheck, she changed one track to “Follow Your Road,” which brought back a dose of nostalgia. She even brought in Gabriel Lazaro on trumpet and together, they sounded beautiful.
Camcam
Where great minds think alike
Like last year, My Closet Manager (MCM), an elegant gown rental shop in Proscenium, Rockwell, provided beautiful gowns for my pre-gala look, along with gowns for my daughter Jordan Prieto, Sophie Tan, Dani Camcam, Patty Bernabe, Rizzie Vacketta, and Nicole Asensio.
MCM owner Genevieve Yalung supports local designers by carrying their gowns for rent, providing more sustainable clothing options for all occasions.
Another last-minute entry was Nice Print Photo, who covered RCG and the launch of Avignon Regenerative Cellular Therapy. I am so delighted to be their ambassador for their stem-cell program—together with Annette Gozon-Valdes and Charmaine Lagman.
When like-minded people work together, we can achieve great things in a short span of time. Avignon’s founders Benedict Sy and Christopher Cachuela got their team to create the entire launch in a few weeks. That evening, beautiful showbiz couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes joined us on stage for the Avignon launch.
Other last-minute additions were Usana gift packages for Stars of the Night winners—Nova Veluz, Rikki and Beng Dee, and Tim Yap. We also got RE/MAX Premier, the leading name in luxury real estate, to provide special notebooks, as we also launched the partner of RE/MAX’s Jun Camcam, and yours truly.
The more we raise, the more we give
The funds raised at the auction are all for charity, so the more we raise, the more we give. Thanks to my fave auctioneer par excellence, Tim—assisted by BNC’s Ferdi Salvador—we reached P5.55M.
Tim shared that he prayed to his late father, whose favorite number is five. Extra thanks to all the bidders and winners, and all the artists who generously donated their work, like Art Rojas and Katrina Cuenca.
Believing in the quiet elegance of our featured designer, JC Buendia, I watched the finale filled with tears as I felt how meaningful and heartfelt this show was for him. He was able to showcase effortless glamour with Asian-inspired silhouettes, fluid piña draping, and relaxed luxury that lets a woman breathe. After losing his mother early this year and surviving a health issue, he still delivered a magnificent collection.
Thank you to our reigning Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski, who closed the show in the designer’s stunning bridal piña.
Support and suppliers who made it possible
RCG is eternally grateful to Ben Chan and the Bench Group for all their support. Cheers to our RCG Team—Maggie Gineta, line producer; Edd Fuentes of Fuentes Manila for all the PR; and Robert Blancaflor, who transformed The Peninsula Lobby into our elegant dinner setup.
Our show production team—show director Dexter Santos, fashion stylist Noel Manapat, set designer Gino Gonzales, lighting designer Monino Duque, technical director Miguel Torralba, stage manager Ed Murillo, production manager Pia Kraft, assistant production manager Roan Cornejo, designers’ backstage staff Fab Creatives, photographer Kim Montes, and event coverage by Nice Print, Willy Saw, and Daniel Tan—thank you.
Our show accessories, meanwhile, include jewelry by Jewelmer and Arnel Papa, headpieces from Ricky Vicencio and Herbert Custodio, bridal bouquet by Pat Berin, and shoes by Doreen Odvina Custom Shoes. More suppliers include set construction by Nikko Metal Works, set design supervision by Studio 1, alongside lighting and technical system by Soundcheck.
Fashion fades. Compassion stays. October is Mission Month, and we are so grateful for the generosity that transforms lives and makes a difference. In forward giving, we become instruments of God’s love.
Looking forward to our 15th edition featuring Len Cabili. Yes! She’s up next!
