Dispelling the common misperception that fashion is only just glitz and glam is this year’s Fashion Can Serve which proves that fashion can also serve a higher and nobler purpose: To celebrate the resilience of a beautiful spirit.
To be held on October 13 at the Raffles Ballroom of Raffles Hotel in Makati City, the fashionable fundraising endeavor of ICanServe Foundation will put the spotlight on several women who will promote breast cancer awareness.
Themed “We Don’t Walk Alone,” the ladies – all proud cancer survivors – will walk the stage with a dear friend by their side.
“When it comes to fighting cancer and the journey back to health, one is always grateful for not having to walk the difficult path alone, so this time our muses will walk with someone who is either a family member or a good friend, who was with them during their battle,” shares Libet Virata, chairman of ICanServe Foundation.
Among those who will grace the runway include Bibeth Orteza and her son Rafa Siguion-Reyna; mother-daughter pairs Beth Romualdez with Via Reyes, Chuchu Madrigal Eduque with Alex, and Dr. Baby Gozali with Kara; sisters Frances Yu and Crickette Tantoco; sisters-in-law Margarita and Malou Fores – who are both survivors – and Amanda LuYm and her close friend Cacay Moras.
The courageous spirit of these ladies will truly shine as they walk the runway, bringing to life the proud statement that ICanServe Foundation has long been encouraging survivors to take: “I am alive, I am here and I am beautiful.”
Lending their expertise for this year’s show are six of the country’s most talented designers and style visionaries that include Dennis Lustico, Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, Patrice Diaz, Randy Ortiz, Mark Bumgarner and Patty Ang.
Bumgarner, who is known for his strong yet feminine silhouettes, will highlight femininity with couture creations in different hues of pink while Ocampo-Rodriguez will play with different textures and hues to capture the beauty of life. Dennis Lustico on the other hand proudly shares that his designs – more than being modernly chic – aim to make women feel confident and beautiful, while Patty Ang shows off the versatility and comfort of design with her chic silhouettes.
Seated, from left: Randy Ortiz, Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez
For legendary designer Randy Ortiz, cancer hits close to home. “More than 10 years ago, my mom died of cancer. It was quite difficult for us,” he shares, adding that he is collaborating with ICanServe because “I want to pay homage to my mother, and to all the women who are going through their own journeys of healing.”
Patrice Ramos Diaz also lost her mother and best friend to cancer. “My mom passed away when I was 13, and one of my closest friends died of breast cancer at 37,” she discloses. “I saw firsthand how they suffered and how cancer affected the people around them. I want to lend my support so that others can be made more aware that there is indeed a way to diagnose breast cancer early.”
From the time it was founded in 1999, ICanServe foundation has since become one of the biggest and most influential foundations for breast cancer in the Philippines. “At ICanServe, there is a thriving community of women, survivors and volunteers who want to help and are filled with optimism and faith. They’ve conquered cancer, so you can too. It’s inspiring. It’s contagious. It’s life-saving,” says founder Kara Alikpala.
ICanServe hopes to raise support for its flagship program, Ating Dibdibin (first established in 2007) through the fashion event. Ating Dibdibin is the first comprehensive community-based breast screening program that educates barangay health workers and residents on how to perform proper breast examination to help detect signs as well as increase the chances of early treatment. During its “OK-tober” campaign on October 8 last year, ICanServe members and volunteer doctors held simultaneous Breast Cancer Awareness forums in over 20 areas nationwide.
Over the years, ICanServe foundation has made great progress in spreading awareness about the disease but there are a lot more to be done. ICanServe believes that every voice counts and welcomes everyone in the campaign for breast cancer awareness. Whether it’s through financial or emotional means, every kind of support matters. Partnering with Fashion Can Serve this year are Philip Stein, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc., Marie France, Security Bank, Del Monte (Philippines), Medical City, Estee Lauder, Mercedes Benz, and Globe Platinum.
Support the ICanServe Fashion Can Serve event on October 13 at the Raffles Ballroom of Raffles Hotel in Makati City. For more information, visit FashionCanServe on Facebook, email fashioncanserve@gmail.com or text 09175863308.
