FilAm community catwalks in NYC for cancer warriors
New York - You can very well call the FilAm Cancer Care Walk for a Cause fashion show a community of fashion models doing the catwalk to raise funds for cancer warriors. It’s not just the stereotypical tall and slim models rampaging the runway - but there were a lot of them, really! The fashion show, done at the elegant-but-quaint Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in Manhattan on February 17, had models from all shapes, sizes, ages, and heights.
Excited, brave, and meaning to help raise funds for people fighting against cancer, these Filipino-American models said yes to the fundraiser by FACC, a young non-profit organized and led by Washington, DC-based Josie Moralidad-Ziman. Ten beneficiaries of the show received $1000 for their health needs.
Featured in the catwalk were the MUSA creations of LA-based fashion designer Carl Andrada who recently made waves at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant. The solid colors of the Philippine flag (blue, red, white, and yellow) was the theme for the glitzy night upon the directorship of Buboi Asuncion.
Wearing modern Filipiniana dress made of hablon (from Iloilo) designed by Joy Soo, I was with twin Merly Barlaan (right) after the event.
Merly Barlaan, UN relations director for Women’s Federation for World Peace, thought the show was stunning. She also loved Andrada’s collection of “wearable” Filipiniana for informal occasions, especially in New York.
Jocelyn Bernal, a stalwart for JCI, said she loved that not all models were skinny. “The blue collection appealed most to me. The terno in jacket style is definitely a plus and can be reused. The bling accessories were also wonderful to see.”
Earrings by Musa de Aretes by Belle Verano
FACC founder and CEO Josie M. Ziman
FACC had once helped me and daughter Leani Alnica Auxilio in our trying times fighting against colon cancer in 2018-2019. My catwalking for funds and to promote Philippine fabrics created fabulously by Carl Andrada was a way to pay it forward.
I had fun! And so happy I didn’t trip that night. I looked up to the heavens and thanked Nikki in zest, ‘nak salamat, wala ko natakilpo (thanks nak, I didn’t trip), I muttered. Anyway, enjoy our photos!
To Josie and company, all the best and thank you for your tremendous dedication to this worthy health cause! In October, in time for the breast cancer awareness month and the Filipino American history month, another fashion show is being cooked up. (Photos by Merly Barlaan and Jocelyn Bernal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_fYry0TaNk&t=24s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=666TmxMtIIU&t=231s
Videos by RJ Ensalada
