Ariella Arida, Miss Universe 2013 2nd Runner-up, in a Cumbia gown at Runway for Hope 2013… What a lovely vision in lavender!
Congratulations to John dela Vega and his team for organizing another successful Runway for Hope fashion show which was held on the night of Dec 8, 2013 at the Ace Hotel (which is the hotel of my favorite Ace Water Spa in Kapitolyo). This year’s show was dedicated to Typhoon Yolanda survivors and proceeds go to relief and rebuilding operation in Tacloban and other affected areas in the Visayas.
Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-up Ariella Arida, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul and Bb. Pilipinas 2013 1st Runner-up Pia Wurtzbach were the highlight of the night. They were wearing Cumbia gowns and as most of you pageant fans know, Cumbia is the fashion brand of Mme Stella Marquez Araneta who also owns the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Inc.
Left – Mutya Datul, Miss Supranational 2013, Middle – Ariella Arida, Right – Pia Wurtzbach, Bb Pilipinas 2013 1st Runner-up… all wearing Cumbia gowns courtesy of Bb. Pilipinas Charity Inc. and Mme Stella Marquez Araneta
Ariella Arida. Iconic Filipina beauty.
When Ariella Arida came out on stage, all I could think was – ‘What an iconic beauty!’ She truly has become iconic to our nation. After she returned from Miss Universe 2013, I noticed this stillness about her; like as if she had achieved a new level of confidence that no one can touch.
Pia Wurtzbach. Prettier than ever.
As for Pia Wurtzbach, she was a glowing ember in the dark. She was more beautiful than the last time I saw her. It is not a secret that she is gunning for the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title next year and I’m sure that is a deep worry for many girls aspiring to replace for the same position.
Mutya Datul and her hallmark booty pose.
Mutya Datul, our fabulous Miss Supranational 2013 winner meantime was a breath of fresh air with her glorious smile and hallmark booty pose. I like the way she sticks out her rear; no one can do it quite like Mutya can. Bravo!
Below are more photos of the beauty queens who participated in Runway for Hope 2013. I love it that they are all from different beauty queen camps. Sometimes the intrigues between camps gets tiring but when they shunt their differences aside to do something for a cause it truly makes an impact.
Anywhoo… enjoy the photos and PLEASE HELP ME IDENTIFY SOME OF THE BEAUTY QUEENS and TITLE HOLDERS – I didn’t quite get all their names and/or titles when they were announced. The photos are numbered so mention that and the missing information in my comments section 
thank much guys!
DESIGN BY: Jo Rubio
1) Desginer: JO RUBIO. Left – a Bicolana beauty queen, Middle – Emmerie Cunanan (Miss Philippines Water 2010), Right – Brazilian model Daiana Menezes.
My favorite gown above is the red one that Emmerie Dale Cunanan is wearing. Emmerie is one of my favorite models for her mystique and ability to sizzle on stage.
*****
DESIGN BY: Joel Acebuche
2) Designer JOEL ACEBUCHE – Left to Right – Nina Ricci Alagao (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2000), a Miss Philippines USA winner, a beauty whose last name is Santiago and my favorite ever Janicel Lubina (Miss Bikini Philippines 2013 and Miss World Philippines 1st Princess 2013)
When Janicel Lubina (in bottom right-most photo) stepped out on stage in a lovely prom dress I got really excited; in fact I got excited with every single outfit above.! I loved the ribbons and the colors and the prom feeling each outfit conveyed. One of my favorite sets of the evening…
*****
DESIGN BY: Chico Estiva
3) Designer: CHICO ESTIVA. Top Left – Reynalyn Yamanouchi (Mutya ng Pilipinas Japan 2012), Bottom Left – Miss Caloocan. Big Photos – Left – Glennifer Perido (Miss Phils Air 2012), Middle – Miss Mindoro, Right – Ali Forbes (3rd RU Miss Grand International 2013)
Best gown for me in this lot by Chico Estiva is the red sheer one with sequined underwear. The model, who is a Miss Mindoro winner had the perfect body for it. Excellent pattern and contrasts on Glennifer Perido’s stark black and white gown. Ali Forbes is always a joy to see as she walked down the ramp in a black gown with white and blue accents.
*****
DESIGN BY: James Reyes
4) Designer JAMES REYES – Left – Reyna Mae Maerina (Supermodel of the Philippines), Right – a Miss Baguio
James Reyes ushered in high fashion with his two satiny outfits. For me, the billowing look is better appreciated on stage or on in Paris. You need to have drama and physical intelligence to carry such fashionable outfits… bravo James!
*****
DESIGN BY: Sonny Boy Mindo
5) Designer SONNY BOY MINDO – Five La Bulaquena beauties modeled his creations. Can you guys help me identify them?
Sonny Boy Mindo employed 5 charming La Bulaquena beauties to wear his beige and black numbers. The big photo in the middle is my favorite design; just love the vector-like patterns! It’s something I could imagine myself wearing when I attend the next Bb. Pilipinas coronation. I’d like to wear the sexy ones but I might steal the limelight from the contestants if I did, aahahaha!
*****
DESIGN BY: Shanon Pamaong, Fashion Institute of the Philippines
6) Designer SHANON PAMAONG, Fashion Institute of the Philippines. Left – Isabel Manawis (World Supermodel)? Right – a Miss Philippines USA winner
Stately gowns coming from Shanon Pamaong of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. Beige and bronze. My pick would be the gown on the left with the angular lines and pleated vee neck strap. Isabel wore it well too!
*****
DESIGN BY: Mikee Andrei
7) Designer MIKEE ANDREI, Fashion Institute of the Philippines – Left – a Bb. Pilipinas finalist, Right – a Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism winner
I’m loving the not-so-sheer black gown on the right. Sexy but not blatantly so. As for the gown on the right, I wore a mirror version of it on the reality show – Gusto Kong Maging Beauty Queen – the lone sleeve was on the other arm. I really felt comfortable and yet looked so elegant in it! I was a little heavy at the time so I was thankful that there was a fabulous gown that I could wear confidently.
*****
DESIGN BY: Oz Go, Fashion Institute of the Philippines
8) Designer OZ GO, Fashion Institute of the Philippines – Left – Elizabeth Alindogan (Miss Tourism World Visayas), Right – Jamie Reyes (Miss Chinatown Phils Runner-up)
If you look closely at these gowns, you’ll see that designer Oz Go used cartography as his theme. Love the compass design on the right but I like the sepia-toned map on the left a little bit more…
*****
DESIGN BY: Julius Ornum
9) Designer JULIUS ORNUM – Top Left – Krystal Alonday (MPE 2012 Candidate), Bottom Right – Raquel Cabigting (Miss Humanity), Middle – Miss Tourism World Visayas, Right – Samantha Purvor (Miss Philippines Water 2012)
The one that that I really like about the designs of Julius Ornum as seen above is that they are elegantly understated and VERY wearable. I also find myself having a difficult time choosing which one here I like best but if I were forced to pick one it would be either the blue one that the lovely Samantha Purvor is wearing or the red gown in the smaller photo – perfectly elegant for a formal event.
*****
DESIGN BY: Dave Ocampo
10) Designer DAVE OCAMPO – Left – Dianne Necio (Bb. Pilipinas International 2011), Middle – Monique Manuel (Miss Philippines Earth Semi-finalist 2009), Right – Czarina Gatbonton (Bb. Pilipinas World 2010)
Dave Ocamo goes dark with three black widows! Take your pick: one in a dress, one in a midi and one in a gown. The most mysterious one is Dianne Necio whose eyes you could barely see under her snakey headdress cum hat.
*****
DESIGN BY: Nicky Martinez
11) Designer NICKY MARTINEZ – Left – Lorraine de Guzman (Miss Casino Filipino 2012), Middle – Candice Ramos (Miss Philippines Earth Ecotourism 2012), Right – Stephany Malibiran (Mrs. Asia Tourism International 2013)
The metal rings wrapping around these outfits by Nicky Martinez got me so excited! Started dancing the Metallic Gigolo (joke!) Can’t pick a favorite one because I love them all and wish that they were all in my closet…
*****
DESIGN BY: Edwin Uy
12) Designer EDWIN UY – Left – Patricia Fernandez (Bb. Pilipinas International 2008), Middle – MJ Lastimosa (Bb. Pilipinas 2011 2nd Runner-up), Right – Toni Hipolito (Bb. Pilipinas 2008 Finalist)
The next time someone invites me to a Boudoir Party, I’ll remember to call designer Edwin Uy. I want the vampy red outfit in the middle worn by one of my sentimental pageant favorites, MJ Lastimosa.
*****
DESIGN BY: Jontie Martinez
13) Designer JONTIE MARTINEZ – Top Left – April Love Jordan (Winner 2009 International Beauty and Model Festival), Bottom Left – Chloe McCully (Miss World Philippines 2011 2nd Princess, Bottom Right – Ellore Punzalan (Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Finalist)
Out of the three shimmery gowns by Jontie Martinez, my favorite one is the white one worn by Ellore Punzalan. She carries it extremely well and has the body for such an alluring number.
*****
DESIGN BY: Renee Salud
14) Designer RENEE SALUD – Left – Jennifer Barrientos (Bb. Pilpinas Universe 2008), Top Right – Reina Mae Maerina (Supermodel of the World Philippines), Bottom Right – Aubrey Nolasco (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013 2nd Runner-up)
Mama Renee Salud knows how to put awe in in his fashion. The legendary designer had me gaping with these beautiful designs that betrayed his decades of expertise in high fashion. The one that had the grandest feel was worn by Reina Mae (top right) but the one I can see myself wearing is the dress with the flow-y skirt worn by Aubrey Nolasco (bottom right).
*****
ABQ author (left) with pageant memorabilia collector Pamboy (middle) and beauty-queen-turned-actress Maribel Lopez in the audience.
