Beauty queens Celeste Cortesi, Ahtisa Manalo, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Nicole Cordoves, and Miss Manila 2024 candidates graced the runway, showcasing stunning creations from emerging and established designers.
Manila City reinforces its reputation as the country’s fashion hub. It offers a stage for young designers through Rampa Manila 2.0, a lively event celebrating Philippine fashion.
Themed “Textile, Texture, and Technique,” the event highlighted Divisoria Marketplace’s influence on local fashion, brought to life by talented designers. Spearheaded by Mayor Sheila “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, the show featured stunning creations from up-and-coming designers Dhenyze Guevara, Joanna Santos, and Morissette Magalona.
Here’s Everything That Happened During Rampa Manila 2.0
Mayor Lacuna stressed the significance of Manila-sourced materials. She encouraged both experienced and new designers to keep innovating and enhancing Filipino fashion. She pointed out that Manila City, specifically Divisoria, is vital in the nation’s fashion industry. It serves as a base for famous designers and a primary source for fashion materials.
“Dito sa Maynila matatagpuan ang lahat ng klase ng tela, sinulid, butones, at iba pang mga kailangan sa pagbuo ng damit. Maging pasadya man o ready-to-wear ay marami pa ring pagppipilian sa mga nasabi kong lugar, lalo na sa Divisoria. Layunin nating itaas ang industriya ng pananamit sa Maynila at iwagayway ang bandera ng kalidad at husay ng industriyang ito.”
Beauty queens Celeste Cortesi, Ahtisa Manalo, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, and Nicole Cordoves walked the runway at the event in Bulwagang Rodriguez, Manila City Hall. The candidates for Miss Manila 2024, Vice Ganda, Agot Isidro, Katrina Ponce-Enrile, and PJ Endrinal also attended.
In addition to Dhenyze Guevara, Joanna Santos, and Morissette Magalona, who showcased modernized classic Filipiniana, contemporary and avant-garde couture designs, and extraordinary beadwork and transformative silhouettes, the event also unveiled collections from seasoned Filipino fashion designers Anthony Ramirez, Jhobes Estrella, Marc Rancy, Neric Beltran, and Val Taguba.
A memorable part of the show was Neric Beltran’s “Dangwa.” It filled the stage with floral designs. Beltran honored his past job as a florist through performance art. A man played a florist on stage while models paraded. In a striking finale, Beltran’s final piece had the florist becoming the last model.
In this age of fast fashion, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit that define Philippine couture not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also promotes sustainable practices and supports local artisans. Events like Rampa Manila ensure that unique cultural stories are valued and passed on for generations to come.
Cover image credit: @rampa_manila
