21 September 2016 — The Philippine Embassy in Myanmar, in collaboration with the Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Team, conducted a charity fashion gala, entitled “Passion for Fashion,” on September 17 at the Sule Shangri-La Hotel. The event was held in celebration of 60 years of relations between the Philippines and Myanmar, as well as to launch the new Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Project.

The gala brought together some of the Philippines’ most prominent fashion designers with some of the established stars in the Myanmar design world, and offered both sides a chance to show off their creations. Proceeds of the event will go to the Yangon Children’s Hospital. 

“We were really excited to get the chance to organize this event,” said Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo, Minister and Consul General of the Embassy of the Philippines in Myanmar, who was part of the organizing committee for the “Passion for Fashion” project. “The Philippines and Myanmar are both members of Association of South East Asian Nations with similarities and differences in history, culture, and industry. We believe that, through the common bond of fashion and creativity, the Philippines can connect with the people of this country in a truly unique way. Both of our countries have a creative and dynamic population, and this event and friendship project seeks to highlight that. This is the true spirit of cross-cultural friendship and community building.”  

Philippine designers who featured their work at the charity fashion gala include Len Cabili, Len Nepomuceno, Dong Omaga-Diaz, and Tonichi Nocom, the President of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines; and designers from Myanmar whose works were featured at the gala were Ma Myintzu, Pyae Soe Aung, Ma Pont, Latt Latt, Thwin Su Htwe, and Kaung Myat. Three major categories of designs were presented:  traditional, modern/contemporary and high fashion. Evident in many of the pieces showcased was the use of customary fabrics and designs juxtaposed with a modern feel. This pioneering cross-cultural fashion and design event brought together the designers from the Philippines and Myanmar for the first time. 

According to the Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Team, a plan is already in the pipeline to bring the Myanmar designers to the Philippines in 2017. END