Filipino design makes a bold entrance at NY Fashion Week

Filipino design makes a bold entrance at NY Fashion Week

Pauline Miranda 

Inquirer|Lifestyle

26 October 2025

Gone are the days when Philippine textiles and weaves were solely reserved for formal occasions and cultural celebrations. Filipino designers today have constantly been pushing the envelope, reimagining the myriad ways and situations in which we can proudly wear our culture.

Pinas Sadya, a homegrown Filipino brand, recently debuted at New York Fashion Week, showcasing not just our local patterns and textiles but also bringing to the international runway the creative energy that runs through the Philippine fashion industry today.

With bold patterns in blocked colors and flowing layers, Pinas Sadya’s presentation highlights the “radiant, confident, and playful” essence of the Filipina today. The campaign called “Kabogera with a Purpose” featured Maymay Entrata’s “Amakabogera” as its anthem on the runway.

“You are born to shine, to stand out, and to achieve your best,” says Pinas Sadya founder Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut. “This collection is meant to accompany you at different parts of your journey, as you discover, fulfill, and share your purpose.”

“There’s a growing global appetite for Philippine-made, thoughtfully designed products. The response we received confirmed that Filipino creativity resonates internationally while staying true to its roots,” notes Valerie Fischer, co-founder and general manager of Pinas Sadya.

“You are born to shine, to stand out, and to achieve your best,” says Pinas Sadya founder Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut. “This collection is meant to accompany you at different parts of your journey, as you discover, fulfill, and share your purpose”

Fischer adds, “It has been very exciting to see our audience engage with the collection and connect with the stories behind the pieces. The enthusiasm and feedback reinforced the potential for Filipino brands on a global scale.”

The New York Fashion Week presentation also featured work by partner designers and creatives. Accessories by Filipino artist and designer Farah Abu accompanied the Pinas Sadya pieces, adding depth, cohesion, and personality to the looks.

Following their fashion week appearance, Pinas Sadya will join other Filipino brands in a special cultural expo also happening in New York: Yaman 2025, which is set to take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at Marriot Marquis, Times Square, New York.

Veejay Floresca wins 'Project Runway' Season 21

Veejay Floresca wins 'Project Runway' Season 21

Melanie Uson
Philstar Life
26 September 2025

Filipino designer Veejay Floresca is the winner of this year's Project Runway!

Floresca showcased a collection of metallic and knits in the finale, featuring unconventional silhouettes, wool rib knit draped dress, and a dressed made of chainmail.

"My collection represents me as a designer because it is very innovative, it's modern. I think it's the right balance of concept and wearability," she said.

She also underscored that her goal as a trans woman was to "inspire my community that they can accomplish anything that they want."

“I’ve seen you, Heidi, since Season 1, I'm just a little gay boy in the Philippines watching the show, and I’ve always been wanting to do this,” Floresca said at the latter part of the episode. “Now this is my time, so thank you. Thank you for being part of my dream.”

She bested fellow returnees Caycee Black and Jesus Estrada.

Among the highlights of her stint is winning the unconventional materials challenge, where she showcased loud yet elegant dresses made of shuttlecocks from a school gym.

The panel was composed of ELLE editor Nina Garcia, celebrity stylist Law Roach, Christian Siriano, Michael Kors, and Heidi Klum, who also returned to the show as the host.

Floresca will enjoy six months of representation by Agentry PR, the mentorship with the CFDA, the spread in ELLE magazine, and a whopping $200,000 (P11.2 million) cash prize.

Floresca first competed in the Project Runway Philippines inaugural season in 2008, where she finished in third place.

She established herself in New York and centered her craft on sustainable practices, creating unique, eco-conscious garments as she believed that fashion "should be personal, inclusive, and kind to the planet."

Among her muses were beauty queens Katrina Dimaranan, Maureen Montagne, Rabiya Mateo, trans advocate and international model Geena Rocero, and American singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood.

She also joined the Miss Trans Star International 2022 and the Dress My Tour, a reality competition series where designers create outfits for musical artists in 2024.

Filipino educators to receive award in New York

Filipino teacher to receive award in US

Antonio G. Papa
The Manila Times
24 July 2025

BERNADETH Peña, a graduate of Cavite State University (CvSU), will receive the Pre-Kindergarten and Elementary Educator Achieving Child Excellence (Peace) Award of the International Association of Multicultural and Filipino-American Educators (IAM FAME) Inc. on Aug. 22 in New York City, United States.

The event is also the launch of the Teacher Empowering Achievement and Cultural Heritage (Teach) Awards.

Peña, a faculty member in the CvSU Physical Science Department for 15 years, is one of the 10 Outstanding Educators of IAM FAME 2025.

10 Outstanding Educators Awardees of the International Association of Multicultural and Filipino-American Educators (IAM FAME). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Teach Awards recognizes educators who inspire a love of learning, promote academic excellence, empower students, and protect invaluable cultural heritage.

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The 10 Outstanding Educators category honors teachers whose innovative practices, deep dedication, and transformative influence have significantly shaped student learning and uplifted the entire educational community. It highlights their diverse approaches and unwavering commitment to fostering a brighter future for all.

The 10 awardees include:

– Ana Isabel Espino (Teaching Excellence). A Social Studies teacher and department chairman in Odessa, Texas, recognized for her focus on equity and critical thinking;

– Everly Rose Platon (Inspiring Minds). A New York-based educator lauded for fostering curiosity, creativity and integrating mindfulness into her teaching;

– Kate Nwako (Teacher Impact). A veteran New York City (NYC) Public Schools teacher empowering students with disabilities and actively involved in community service;

– Shawn Chisty (Educational Leadership). An education leader and diversity coordinator in NYC, recognized for transforming institutions;

– Arnold Libayo (Innovative Teaching). Honored for over two decades of groundbreaking mathematics education in both the Philippines and NYC;

– Jocelyn de los Santos (Community Engagement). A preschool teacher dedicated to nurturing learning environments and fostering community partnerships;

– Arwin Alitagtag (Dedicated Service). A high school mathematics teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah, committed to fostering a strong college-going culture;

– Nadia Jackson Henry (Inclusive Teaching). A math and special education teacher in NYC, championing diversity, equity and social justice;

– Bernadeth Peña (Peace Award-Pre-K & Elementary Educator Achieving Child Excellence). Recognized for 25 years in early childhood and elementary education in the Philippines and US;

– Joel Dogelio (Pride Award-Pre-K & Elementary Recognizing Innovative Dedication to Excellence). An early childhood educator in the Bronx known for his innovative and excellence-driven approach.

Cultural Heritage Awards

Likewise, five Filipino-American leaders and one organization received Cultural Heritage Awards for their exceptional contributions to preserving and promoting cultural identity:

– Elton Lugay (Gawad Bandila Dangal ng Lahi-Pride of the Nation Award). A Filipino-American journalist and community leader, founder of The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA);

– Cristina Pastor (Yaman ng Lahi Award-Treasure of the People Award). Founding editor of TheFilAm.net and co-host of Makilala TV, dedicated to enriching Filipino cultural identity;

– Francisco Sy, MD, MS, DrPH (Gawad Tanglaw-Beacon of Light Award). A distinguished professor of environmental and global health, recognized for visionary leadership in public health;

– Maureen Johnson (Gawad Lingkod Bayani-Servant Hero Award). Deputy senior director at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers, honored for selfless service in early childhood education;

– Judilyn Cañete (Gawad Makabayang Kababaihan-Patriotic Women’s Award). Founder of MedStar Billing Technology and Resources, recognized for empowering women and pioneering health care training;

– Talisay Association, USA (Tausa), led by president Manuel Balazon (Gawad Bayanihan-Spirit of Solidarity Award). Honored for embodying communal unity and cooperation within the Filipino-American community and in the Philippines.

Jocelyn de los Santos, a Filipino-American community leader in NYC and one of the awardees, said the awards serve as a “driving force to amplify the dedication and work that each educator is doing in the community, whether inside or outside the classroom.”

IAM FAME is a US-based organization whose mission is to address the needs of the Filipino-American community and educators advocating for multicultural education.

Filipino stars shine on global stage (Part 3)

2024’s winning moments Part 3: Filipino stars shine on global stage

Toff C.
ABS-CBN News
Jan 04, 2025

From fashion to music, pageantry and cinema, 2024 has been a landmark year for Filipinos making waves across the globe.

As we continue to highlight the winning moments of 2024, these milestones reflect the exceptional talent and influence of Filipinos.

1. Heart Evangelista as a global fashion force

Heart Evangelista graced numerous fashion shows hosted by the world’s biggest brands during the Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week in 2024.  

Back in October 2024, Heart became the highest-ranking celebrity from APAC (Asia Pacific) in media impact value for the Spring/Summer 2025 season of Paris Fashion Week.

According to marketing and analytics platform Launchmetrics, Heart generated $10.6 million in MIV (media impact value), making her the top-performing APAC celebrity for the fashion week.

The Filipina fashion icon also graced various international magazine covers in 2024 including the digital cover of Vogue Singapore and the cover of Prestige Hong Kong.

2. Pia Wurtzbach's rise as a global fashion influencer 

Another Filipina who shone in the global fashion scene in 2024 is Pia Wurtzbach who attended fashion shows in Milan, Paris, and New York.

During the Paris Fashion Week in September 2024, the former Miss Universe graced the runway of L’Oreal’s "Le Défilé ‘Walk Your Worth" show. She also graced the runway of Michael Cinco's fashion show in Paris.

Launchmetrics reported that Pia Wurtzbach claimed the top spot as the leading celebrity influencer at New York Fashion Week held in September, generating an impressive MIV of $6.8 million.

Back in April, Pia was awarded as the Global Fashion Influencer of the Year Award at the 2024 Emigala Fashion & Beauty Awards in Dubai. She was also named as the top celebrity influencer at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 after generating a Media Impact Value (MIV) of $8.1 million as per Launchmetrics.

3. Lea Salonga and Anne Curtis immortalized in Madame Tussauds wax figures

Lea Salonga and Anne Curtis unveiled their Madame Tussauds wax figures in 2024.

Lea's wax figure for Madame Tussauds Singapore was unveiled in September 2024. The Filipina Broadway star shared that it was a meaningful full-circle moment for both her and her mother, Ligaya. She recalled that when she was 12, she and her mom visited Madame Tussauds and were captivated by the lifelike wax figures.

"There was a wax likeness of Liza Minnelli who I later on I got to meet in my own life. So she’s there posing in her tux and pixie hair cut. My mother and I were both looking at it and she said, 'Anak, you’ll never know. One day, that could be you,'" she recounted. "So this moment today, is a manifestation of what happened 40 or so years ago."

Meanwhile, Anne unveiled her wax figure for Madame Tussauds Hong Kong in November.

"I'm truly honored to be celebrating this moment, being immortalized by Madame Tussauds Hong Kong," she remarked. "Sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala na I was given this opportunity."

4. Sofronio Vasquez becomes first Filipino and Asian to win 'The Voice US' 

Sofronio Vasquez made history as the first Filipino and Asian to win The Voice in the US. He was part of Michael Bublé's team in the reality singing competition.

In an interview with Yong Chavez of ABS-CBN News, the singer remarked that winning the competition felt like a full circle moment.

"I really think that the way to move on and to move further for a possible and a beautiful journey in life is just to keep going. We just have to try and dream," he remarked.

He went on: "I was just dreaming. It was really impossible to think back then. And that moment when Carson Daly called my name, parang nag-break down ako because it's like a flashback of every rejection, every redirection na oh ito pala 'yun... Now it was like a culmination of ito pala 'yun, thank you Lord."

Sofronio was a former finalist of Tawag Ng Tanghalan of It's Showtime.

5. Sophia Laforteza debuts in global girl group KATSEYE

Filipina singer Sophia Laforteza debuted in June 2024 as a member of the global girl group KATSEYE with the release of their first single, "Debut." This was followed in July 2024 by their breakout hit, "Touch."

In August 2024, the group released their first extended play (EP), SIS (Soft Is Strong), marking another milestone in their rising career.

Following the release of their EP, KATSEYE went on an Asia tour including stops in Korea, the Philippines, and Japan back in September 2024. 

In an interview with the Philippine media back in September, Sophia expressed her gratitude to the Filipino fans for supporting their song "Touch" which made it to the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.

"I feel like 'Touch' resonating with people, a lot of it comes from its sound and the choreography, and I feel like just how much we put into it and the intention. We’re so, so grateful," she said on the success of the track in the country.

6. Chelsea Manalo is first Miss Universe Asia

Filipina beauty queen Chelsea Manalo made history as the first Miss Universe Asia. Chelsea received the title at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico.

"To represent my country and the whole Asia with such a title and platform, this is an honor I'll forever treasure," Chelsea said after receiving the title.

Chelsea will be working with the different continental queens and with Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig for the charities and causes that the Miss Universe Organization supports.

7. Maris Racal's film 'Sunshine' premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival 

Maris Racal's movie Sunshine became part of the official selection of the 49th Toronto International Film Festival and was the lone Filipino film under the Centrepiece Programme in September 2024.

The Centrepiece section "honors and celebrates global cinematic achievements, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a dynamic array of contemporary films."

"Saludo sa mga bumubuo ng pelikulang ito, lalo na kay Direk Tonet (Jadaone) na ilang taon itong trinabaho. Hanga ako sa dedikasyon at puso ng mga kasama ko rito," Maris said on being part of the film.

Former J-Pop Star Kento Nakajima is half-Filipino

Japanese actor Kento Nakajima reveals he's half-Filipino

By Aabgina Cos 
Philstar.com
Sep 11, 2024

Japanese singer-actor Kento Nakajima confirmed that he is half-Filipino.

The Silver Spoon star talked about his heritage in a recent meet-up with Filipino American actress Liza Soberano at the Coach Spring 2025 runway fashion show in New York.

A video from FASHIONSNAP captured their interaction, which began with Liza sharing that she's from the Philippines after they waved to fans and paparazzi. 

"Oh, really? So, I’m half-Filipino,” Kento revealed, surprising the Lisa Frankenstein actress.  

“Oh, you are! Oh my gosh, that’s crazy. Have you ever been [to the Philippines]?” she said, with Kento answering yes before the clip got cut off.

The confession also caused surprised reactions from Filipino fans, such as a user on X saying that it took an encounter with the actress to “finally tell the world his Filipino heritage.”   

Another user said that this may have been his “first encounter with a Filipino outside of Japan in a work setting” and he was possibly “never really asked” about his heritage.

The Japanese actor was part of J-pop group Timelesz, formerly known as Sexy Zone, which debuted on November 16, 2011 under STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.  

Kento, alongside his co-member Marius Yo, graduated from the group this year on March 31.   

Despite being out of the J-pop group, the idol embarked on a new music project called “HITOGOTO” written and sung by himself. His song from the project, “Hitogoto feat. Kento Nakajima,” also debuted as a theme song for the drama, It’s All About Other People.

Kento has also starred in numerous films and TV series, including Bad Boys J, Teen Bride, She Was Pretty, and Netflix's Love Like the Falling Petals.