Philippine Festival showcases Jaki Penalosa’s unique creations

Filipinos’ love for socializing, singing, dancing and dining is legendary, and at no time is it more evident than during festivals. Fiesta is also a special time to be with family and friends, a time for fellowship and an ideal showcase of Filipino hospitality.

This year, Aberdeen Centre and Symphony Hill recreates the Filipino fiesta spirit as it stages the 2nd Annual Philippine Fest in Richmond, B.C.  This year’s festival, to be held at the Centre from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 7, presents a lavish exposition of Filipino culture through arts, music, dances, cuisine and fashion.

The centerpiece event of this year’s festivities is a fashion show entitled, “Fabric Philippines,” a tribute to renowned Filipino designer Jaki Penalosa and her unique creations. Jaki’s designs have already hit the runways of fashion capitals in Asia, United States and Europe, and showcasing them in Richmond brings pride and joy to Filipinos in this region.

Fashion designer Jaki Peñalosa with Sen. Grace Poe (Facebook)

As one of the founding members of the Designers Guild of Iloilo province in the Philippines, Jaki promotes the use of indigenous fabrics hablon, silk cocoon and pina. These local materials have found a niche in international catwalks. “I love the imperfections of hablon and pina. I simply am fascinated by and love looking at their patterns,” Jaki said.

Jaki, whose designs were worn by Miss World and Miss Earth contestants last year, has been invited to grace the London Fashion Week in February 2016.  This adds another feather to her cap, since the clothing trade show is one of the big four fashion events in the world, together with New York, Paris and Milan.

Also on Phil Fest day, Aberdeen Centre will be transformed into a bargain mecca of authentic Philippine cuisine, gifts, jewellery, handicrafts, garments, bags and Christmas décor.

Models wearing Jaki Peñalosa’s designs getting ready for their London fashion show (Facebook)

People can feast their eyes on artworks done by Dimasalang artists, as they take their artworks outside of museums and galleries and bring them to the festival for everyone to enjoy.

Participants can likewise learn the intricate art of making the traditional Christmas lantern or “parol”. Community advocate Demi Avendano will hold a parol-making workshop with free materials on hand. Winners will be awarded prizes.

Valuable prices such as a return air ticket from Philippines Airlines; scholarship from Sprott Shaw College; diamond ring by Artic Diamonds; Sony smart phone by Pure Channel Communications; phone accessories; home phones; and many more are at stake for game show participants.

Philippine Fest is a welcome addition to Vancouver’s Pinoy festivals and promises to be a whole afternoon of fun and festivity.

All photos courtesy of Jaki Peñalosa’s Facebook account.