Filipino Designer's Collections Highlighted in Fashion Show Held During the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Barcelona

Models donning the creations of designer Christian Lanuzo (Barcelona PCG photo)

BARCELONA, 16 June 2023 – A spectacular showcase of Filipiniana designs by Filipino couturier, Christian Lanuzo was a highlight at the recently held Philippine Independence Day celebration in Barcelona dubbed “Mano Po: Una Gran Celebracion del Patrimonio Filipino,” held at Moll de la Fusta at the Port of Barcelona on 11 June 2023. The runway came alive with a mesmerizing parade of thirty (30) remarkable creations, including exclusive designs making their public debut. The event was a celebration of Filipino artistry and fashion, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance.

The guests were treated to designs that brought to life the T'nalak weaving tradition using patterns and materials honoring the T'boli people of Mindanao. Another crowd pleaser were men’s suits utilizing the banig traditional handwoven fabric.  Mr. Lanuzo’s finale featured a dress made entirely of pearls, worn by Miss Catalunya 2022, Ms. Paula Ortega, a professional nurse born in Spain to Filipino parents. 

Youth volunteers from the Filipino community lent their time to participate as models in the fashion show.  After the event, the parents shared that their children showed more confidence as a result of the public performance. The volunteers also expressed  their appreciation for the mentoring they received from the participating Spanish professional models led by Ms. Ortega. The Spanish models, for their part, expressed their admiration of the Filipino ethnic designs as well as the materials used by Mr. Lanuzo.  They were impressed by the commitment shown by the young volunteer models, and their dedication to playing a key role in the event.

The segment appropriately ended with the pintados presentation by Mr. Lanuzo with four Filipino models garbed in tribal attire and tattoos with the baybayin Philippine script painted on their faces and body.  The presentation allowed the audience to experience an aspect of Philippine pre-colonial heritage. 

During the catwalk presentation, performing artist Mr. Bryan del Rosario sang a number of Filipino ballads.

Barcelona-based Filipino designer Azenith Tonio and Philippine-based Kenneth Malayka also graciously lent their work to complete the all-Filipino fashion show program during the event. END

(seated from left) Designer Christian Lanuzo and Cultural Officer Bernardo Bagalay at the center (standing) are Pintados models Gerry Ortega

and Irene Sotelo accompanied by models Mr. International Leida Rafa, Tania Kearns, Sara Kearns, Eloy Kearns, Amanda Dimahilig and designer Azenith Tonio (extreme right) (Barcelona PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.