Laguna Winalle Kahulugan (right) is the Queen of the Angels during the Santacruzan at Enchanted Kingdom. Escorting her is Julieto Quevido Jr. (left). Neil De Villa designed the purple gown adorned with a headdress and barong tagalog with blue beads and gold details. Photo by ERWIN VICENTINO

DCP-Laguna’s designs dazzle in EK Santacruzan

May 23, 2022 People's Tonight 1564 views

ENCHANTED Kingdom (EK) had its first fashion display, “Flores de Laguna,” since the COVID-19 epidemic, in partnership with The Designers Circle Philippines (DCP)-Laguna.

According to EK, Flores de Laguna 2022 “aims to promote not only its rides and attractions but also Filipino culture and build national pride, as the talented Filipino designers and models display their original creations.”

Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Cynthia Mamon expressed her gratitude to the designers, models, staff, and audience who attended the event in her opening message.

Before the main event, EK’s vocal groups, Victoria’s Way and Kingsmen, hyped the public with their lively series of songs.

The fashion powerhouse turned the popular contemporary venue into a runway before the arrival of models in waves of lilac and purple outwear.

The event’s host, Franco Cacho, introduced the designers and models as the program officially kicked off.

Twenty designers participated in the event, namely Ivanka Hipolito, Justine Talucod, Jaypee Chua, Gimjude Oliveros, Neil De Villa, Rochelle Badel, Mark Pagalanan, Simeon Obligado, Cris de Leon, Leo Larano, Jayvie Dacdac, Jessica Labindao, James Cabriole, AM Palatino Dalagan, Jeffrey Tope, Mark Francis Pacion, Joemel Calma, Joel Mendoza, Jessycris Baduel, and Richard Roque.

The models strutted in their religious titles and elegant Filipiniana-inspired gowns. Their escorts wore modern versions of the barong tagalog.

The designers said that aside from paying tribute to Mary by showcasing creativity, they drew inspiration from their personal experiences as the fashion industry was truly affected by the pandemic.

After the parade, Filipino singer-songwriters Marielle Belleza and Rob Deniel took the stage to serenade the crowd.

Before the event concluded, a Certificate of Appreciation was given to DCP, and the host acknowledged the sponsors.

EK is set to stage “Sagayla” in June, in celebration of Pride Month. By ANGELO SANCHEZ

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