Three hundred sixty-five days later, Vogue Philippines celebrated its milestones at the Anniversary Gala.
A year ago, history was made with the launch of Vogue Philippines’ maiden issue. Since then, the magazine has taken readers on a journey of discovery and exploration of Filipino identity, culture, and tradition through the lens of fashion and beauty. Through the groundbreaking stories of Apo Whang-Od, Dr. Doleres Ramirez, Bretman Rock, and so many others, the magazine pushed boundaries and sparked conversations all over the world.
Last August 29, this journey was revisited in the halls of Shangri-la The Fort at the Vogue Philippines Anniversary Gala.
Camera lights flashed when the guests arrived in their “Refresh & Rewear” themed outfits on the black carpet. Among the early birds were Drs. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, with the latter wearing an all-white tuxedo ensemble while Dr. Belo was wearing an elegant black gown. Belo Beauty ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and Siobhan Moylan arrived soon after.
Some of the guests arrived in style, with Lexus offering their chauffeur service to guests Olivia d’Aboville, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Rhoda Campos-Aldanese, Rita Nazareno, and Joyce Oreña.
Aivee Clinic ambassadors Bretman Rock and Nadine Lustre caused a stir when they showed off their glowing skin on the black carpet. Drs. Z and Aivee Teo themselves made an appearance at the gala, with Dr. Aivee wearing a black Mark Bumgarner gown.
K-POP superstar B.I. surprised fans when he attended sporting a Louis Vuitton outfit. On the black carpet, he was joined by Liza Soberano, and the two friends gamely posed for the cameras. Other international figures also walked the black carpet, such as Dolly de Leon, in archival Sassa Jimenez; and Bryanboy, in a black and white Valentino ensemble.
Leaders from different industries were guests at the gala. Some notable figures include Louis Vuitton’s Gonzalo Nuche and Jeanger Navarro-Ponti; RCBC’s Eugene Acevedo, JC Devera, Martin Tirol, Nadia Vaila, Rocky Asuncion, and Alvin Perez; Hernel Korean Aesthetic Clinic’s Dr. Young Cho, Sophia Son, and Eun Ji Choi; Avignon’s Christopher Cachuela and Benedict Sy; Mastercard’s Simon Calasanz, and SM Supermalls’ Steven Tan.
After they walked the black carpet, attendees headed to Bonifacio Hall, where they enjoyed special Lexus cocktails and relaxed in the luxurious Fendi Casa lounge. Smiles were all around as handshakes and hugs were exchanged with their fellow guests.
The first stop of the journey took place inside Bonifacio Hall, where guests gathered for the gala dinner. They were welcomed by the musical arrangements of The Manila String Machine and the visual treat offered by the impeccable details of the table settings and decor.
Guests were eager to experience the exquisite 6-hands Dinner by Shangri-La BGC’s Chef Joris Rycken and Chef Carlo Huerta, and Asia’s best female chef 2016 Chef Margarita Forés. The dinner took them on a culinary adventure of the archipelago through an array of cuisines from the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It was topped off with dessert, marked with care the Belo Beauty way.
As the first stop, dinner guests were given more insight into what the night symbolizes. Vogue Philippines publisher Rhoda Campos-Aldanese shared a heartfelt speech during the dinner. She shared the motivations that drive the magazine, namely that the team had “embraced the challenge to build a ‘new global ethos.’ This mindset compels us to make choices that prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet. Through our storytelling, we hope to inspire our readers to live out our values of inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability.”
Editor-in-Chief Bea Valdes also took to the stage to express her gratitude. She recounted the milestones during Vogue Philippines’ first year and shared an inspiring message about Filipino identity and fashion. “We are woven into each other, compelled by the densities of our experiences, all proud sons and daughters of this archipelago,” she said.
The second stop of the night was in the Grand Ballroom’s foyer, where dinner guests converged with other attendees, sipped on Guess Old Fashioned cocktails, and looked back on Vogue Philippines’ first year through the exhibit called “Vogue Unbound.” Vogue Unbound was an installation of large, key Vogue Philippines magazine covers, from the first September issue with Chloe Magno to the remarkable Apo Whang-Od April beauty issue. Guests could also take photos and videos at the Vignette wall, a nude-colored meadow installation.
However, this was just a preview of what was waiting inside the ballroom. When attendees stepped inside, they were immediately immersed in a world of fashion, innovation, and culture through a five-part exhibit called, “Common Threads: Re/Creating Fashion.” With the help of Mastercard, Vogue Philippines put together five installations, with each one highlighting the values of the magazine and various re-imaginings of Filipino fashion. The installations were scattered throughout the ballroom, which invited guests to walk around and explore.
Inside the massive light pillars were the “Re: Create” and “Re: Made” exhibits. Presented by SM Supermalls, “Re: Create” highlighted upcycling and the innovative ways that artists and designers could renew materials. It featured designs by Wawi Navarroza and S.C. Vizcarra artisans, Ken Samudio x Bagasáo, Olivia D’Aboville, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichuaco, and Patricia Perez Eustaquio.
The “Re: Made” installation meanwhile featured upcycling, emphasizing the value of high craft. Sixteen outfits by designers Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Quoï Alexandre, Paolina Russom, and Neric Beltran were all displayed on Harlan + Holden mannequins.
Inside the black curtain pillars were the “Dreamfields” installation. When the curtain was pulled back, guests were immersed in the films and installations from the September issue. On the Dreamfields pillars, guests could scan a QR code that lead them to Mastercard’s website.
While we should always look towards the future, it is also equally important to look at how far we’ve come. The “Vogue Visions” TV installation brought guests back to previous Vogue Philippines issues by showcasing the power of the editorial. On the landscape of Samsung TVs in different dimensions, and orientations, guests could view the past year’s Vogue Philippines photography and fashion editorials.
Vogue Visions also included an exclusive Uniqlo editorial featuring their Heattech collection. In the photos, models wore puffer jackets, turtlenecks, and long-sleeve shirts created with Uniqlo’s Heattech fabric, which is designed to withstand extreme cold weather. The editorial was shot by Borgy Angeles.
Lastly, guests were offered a glimpse into the future with Vince Uy’s “Imaginary Frontiers,” an installation of his Artificial Intelligence (AI) photo series. The series explored the endless future possibilities of Philippine fashion, intertwined with nature, technology, and architecture.
After the guests experienced the multi-sensory exhibit, it was time for the anniversary issue cover reveal. A countdown clock presented by Mastercard was displayed in the middle of the installations. As the clock counted down, a crowd gathered in front of the screen and recorded the unveiling of the Anniversary issue cover. When the clock hit zero, a fashion film featuring the beauty of the Batanes highlands took over the 180-degree curved screen, before ending with the September 2023 cover: an image of models Lukresia, Jo Ann Bitagcol, and Rina Fukushi.
Cheers and clapping erupted upon the reveal of the anniversary issue cover. Bitagcol shared her appreciation. “Immensely grateful for this recognition, for putting me [on the cover] with this star from another generation. To be recognized, at this time in my life? Immensely grateful, heart-felt gratitude,” she said.
In celebration of the successful cover reveal, guests socialized, danced, and enjoyed drinks at the Pernod Ricard cocktail bars; one by Chivas Regal, the other by Malfy Gin. Nadine Lustre and her stylist Lyn Alumno were spotted having a good time, and influential figures Bretman Rock, Vice Ganda, and Bryanboy took a photo in front of the anniversary issue cover. Creatives Shaira Luna, Artu Nepomuceno, and Gabs Gibbs hopped in and out of different circles, taking photos for their Vogue Philippines Anniversary Gala photo diaries.
The party didn’t stop there. The last stop of the night was the Louis Vuitton after-party at The Back Room. Liza Soberano changed into her after-party look, a black-and-gold look accessorized with a Louis Vuitton handbag. Anne Curtis, Bretman Rock, and Bryanboy were all together at the party where they danced, laughed, and talked to fellow attendees.
The night ended and another year of Vogue Philippines began. Three hundred sixty-five days since last year, Vogue Philippines accomplished groundbreaking milestones, from the very first Pride issue to featuring the oldest person to be featured on any edition of Vogue. Archie Carrasco, the founder and CEO of AGC Power Holdings Corp can’t help but express his feelings. “It makes me proud to see Vogue Philippines celebrating its first anniversary. It’s a milestone that reflects positively on our country’s achievements in the fashion industry,” he said.
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