Why Not by Leah Puyat: Today’s Terno comes alive with Hana and Champion

Fashion designing really has gone a long way in the Philippines. They say it is a great era for local designers right now. After this year’s Philippine Fashion & Design Competition (PFDC), I totally agree! Thanks to Champion Infinity Detergent and Shokubutsu Hana Shampoo, the gala night was a blast!

Every two years, the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) hold the much-revered PFDC to showcase the country’s brightest young designers. This year, 13 finalists were chosen to interpret the country’s national costume in modern times to create Today’s Terno.

And wow. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to wear our national costume the way they did if I didn’t see them with my own eyes!

I specifically liked Tony Evan’s designs. His work with layering and transparency are just superb. And surprise, surprise! He won the grand prize! And I mean grand. This includes seed money for his clothing line and an all expense paid scholarship for a world-renowned fashion school in London. Wish I have his talent, and his grand prize!

The FDCP also created exclusive pieces for two of the night’s sponsors, courtesy of FDCP President JC Buendia and Joey Samson.

JC Buendia wowed the audience with his Infinite Terno for Champion Infinity Detergent. It was a great visualization of the infinite woman, the one who defies limits and boundaries. Mr. Buendia’s masterpiece allows women to do anything, and be anything. I was really impressed!

Meantime, Joey Samson created the Beauty of Nature Terno for Shokubutsu Hana Shampoo. It’s a comfortable flowy piece that allowed the natural beauty of the model to shine through. Seeing this creation alone was rejuvenating. Loved it!

Aside from Tony Evan, a couple of designers also received special awards for their notable designs. Gabbie Sarenas won the Infinite Terno Award for her creations that defied boundaries by merging fashion with comfort. While Vince Tolentino won the Beauty of Nature Terno Award for the overall beauty of his designs and his creative use of natural fabrics to make pieces that will endure overtime.

PFDC grand prize winner Tony Evan with his take on Today's Terno.

Champion Brand Manager Caloy Bacani with Gabbie Sarenas who took home Infinite Terno Award for her creations that embody the infinite woman.

Peerless Cosumer Marketing Manager Norman Mier with Vince Tolentino who won Beauty of Nature Terno Award for his creations that endure overtime.

Thank you so much, FDCP, Champion, Hana and the rest of the sponsors who made this year’s PFDC possible! After that night, I can already see a super bright future for our young designers and the modernized version of our country’s national costume. So excited for Hana and Champion’s next projects that will surely showcase more Filipino talents!