The Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion joins Zonta Club of Alabang for a benefit fashion show celebrating femininity, creativity, and culture.&nbsp;

The Filipiniana has been a symbol of enduring grace and tradition. Worn typically during life&rsquo;s momentous occasions and grandest affairs, it's finding renewed purpose today as more Filipinos weave culture into their everyday wardrobes. In a time where trends fade even before the tags come off, wearing our roots have become an act of authenticity &mdash; a rediscovery of selfhood and identity.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s also in this revival of heritage fashion that defines the unwavering legacy of Patis Tesoro.&nbsp;Decades before this renaissance, she already stood at the forefront &mdash; reviving native textiles and championing local craftsmanship that earned her the title The Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion. To her, the Filipiniana is more than a garment to be worn; it is a living testament to the stories of creativity and resilience passed down through generations.&nbsp;

Now, this lifelong belief continues with Filipiniana is Forever &mdash; a benefit fashion show that celebrates both Filipino artistry and empowerment. Presented by Zonta Club of Alabang, the show will unveil a 100-piece collection that reflects Tesoro&rsquo;s decades-long contributions to Philippine fashion. More than that, it also marks her much-anticipated return to the runway. As she shared heartily, &ldquo;Everytime I would get started, my creations would immediately get sold. So, for a while, it was hard for me to actually get a full collection together.&rdquo;&nbsp;

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Reimagining Tradition</h4>

Filipiniana is Forever is an exploration of the Filipina soul &mdash; her strength, sensuality, and spirit. It is inspired by the phrase &ldquo;halik sa batok&rdquo;, which evokes the subtle allure of a woman&rsquo;s nape as it gently peeks from beneath the traditional baro. &ldquo;When you are Filipino, you are attractive when you wear the baro&rsquo;t saya. Characteristically, it is folded at the back to show the nape. It&rsquo;s very sensual. It is also an evolving, wearable piece of art,&rdquo; Tesoro explained.&nbsp;

The collection reimagines traditional garments through a contemporary lens &mdash; elevating casual dasters with handwoven details, intricate patchwork, and delicate embroidery. The collection will also highlight the timeless elegance of the classic Maria Clara gowns, alongside bold kimono jackets inspired by Freddie Mercury and handpainted barongs. Mostly crafted by hand, each garment draws from native fabrics, like pi&ntilde;a, jusi, and tropical linens and weaves that serves as an ode to the different colors of the country&rsquo;s islands.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Fashion Meets Passion</h4>

The collaboration between Tesoro and Zonta Club of Alabang proves how fashion can be a platform of passion &amp; purpose &mdash; a showcase of artistry that doubles as an avenue for advocacy. The benefit show aims to raise funds for the organization&rsquo;s ongoing community projects, including initiatives on women empowerment, cancer awareness, and education for underprivileged children.&nbsp;

&ldquo;In all her endeavors, Patis has also contributed to empowering women from artisanal communities. Her team, for example, is made up of 90% women. This was an apparent common ground that we started from,&rdquo; said Kathleen Liechtenstein, Zonta Club of Alabang&rsquo;s president. She also noted that like the organization, Patis has also dedicated her life to mentorship and education. &ldquo;These are the hallmarks of empowerment. Her work is meaningful because she brings Filipino artistry, craft and techniques to the next generation, ensuring that it will live on.&rdquo;

Filipiniana is Forever is taking the spotlight this November 4 at the Grand Ballroom of Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City (BGC). More than a fashion show, it is a tribute to culture, women, and the unswerving Filipino spirit.
&ldquo;When you look at how everyone dresses on an ordinary day, everyone looks the same!&rdquo; the designer observed. &ldquo;We express our identity and even status through clothing,&rdquo; she added, reflecting on how the homogeneity of modern fashion has blurred personal style and cultural identity.&nbsp;
With that, Tesoro reclaims the essence that guided her through decades: &ldquo;Filipiniana is Forever, passed from generation to generation, for as long as we have a country called the Philippines.&rdquo;

Tickets to the benefit fashion show are still available via <a href="https://qlickpass.com/">https://qlickpass.com/</a>, retailing at ₱6,000.00. You may also email: <a href="mailto:zontaclubofalabang1@gmail.com">zontaclubofalabang1@gmail.com</a>.&nbsp;

Reimagining Heritage: Patis Tesoro Honors Women and Culture with ‘Filipiniana is Forever’

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