25 November 2016 — The Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Group (PMFG) and the Embassy of the Philippines in Myanmar, which organized the “Passion for Fashion” project handed over a donation today to the Yangon Children’s Hospital.

The donation includes seven sets of medical infusion and syringe pumps worth MMK 22,050,000 or about USD 17,350,000; an air conditioning unit, vitamins and hygiene kits for children.

The group of volunteers formed the PMFG, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Philippines, Myanmar Fashion Designers Group (MFDG) and the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP), to stage a charity fashion gala, celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Myanmar held at the Sule Shangri-La Hotel on September 17.

The event brought together some of the Philippines’ most prominent fashion designers with some of the established stars in the Myanmar design world, and offers both sides a chance to show off their creations.

“I think we created a spring of goodwill and interest with the “Passion for Fashion” project. We did not have budget from the start, but we pulled a lovely show to beat. Now, we are sharing the fruits of our labor of love. That is the true essence of community building and cross-cultural friendship,” said Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo, Minister and Consul General of the Embassy of the Philippines.

“We thank the Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Group and the Embassy of the Philippines for this gracious donation that will truly benefit sick children taken to this hospital,” said Prof. Dr. Ye Myint Kyaw, Head of Myanmar Pediatrics Society and of the Department of Child Health at the Yangon University of Medicine.

Ma Myintzu, President of the Myanmar Designers Group, and Designer Latt Latt were also there to support the handover ceremony. “We are very happy for the opportunity to present Myanmar culture and ethnic designs through the Passion for Fashion,” Ma Myintzu said.

The Philippines-Myanmar Friendship Group composed of Pauline Khin Maung Lwin, Kyi Kyi Tolentino, Valerie Badilla, Myintzu Hana and Consul General Salcedo are planning to bring the Myanmar fashion designers to Manila during the first quarter of 2017. END