10 Most Elegant Filipinas
Mitzi Borromeo, Ana de Ocampo, Heart Evangelista, Lulu Tan Gan
Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside. — Coco Chanel
True elegance doesn’t shout and say “Look at me”; it never, ever calls attention for the wrong reasons. Fashion victims cannot be considered elegant, no matter how much money is spent. Simplicity is often the key to being tastefully dressed even if one is just wearing a simple shirt and jeans without a name brand tag. Good manners and demeanor go hand in hand with being a refined person.
This year’s The Elegant Filipinas 2017 are Mitzi Panlilio Borromeo, Heart Evangelista Escudero, Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez, Janina Dizon Hoschka, Ana de Ocampo, Anna Palabyab Rufino, Rissa Mananquil Trillo, Audrey Zubiri, Lulu Tan Gan and Joanna Preysler who exemplify the true definition of being stylishly polished yet refined, simple and oftentimes understated in their manner of dressing with social graces and principles to match. They each received a beautifully handcrafted glass and metal trophy by designer Arnel Papa.
The elegant Filipinas were chosen by Tingting Cojuangco, together with executives headed by Fortune Ledesma and Zelda Kienle.
The standing room only affair at the Diamond Hotel’s Ballroom was strictly by invitation only and we were all in agreement because the lovely ladies are also achievers in their own right. It was heartwarming to see supportive husbands and family members readily giving their support (and applause) to their respective elegant lady of the house.
As in previous years, the 2017 list had its own chosen beneficiary — the Center for Possibilities Foundation, a private organization that looks after the enablement of individuals with special needs. It was poignant moment during the performance of two specially gifted youths, angelic voiced Samantha Kaspar and painter Vico Cham, who are both recipients of international awards for their art pieces in New York and Canada.
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So what makes a woman elegant? Let’s hear it from this year’s awardees.
Lulu Tan Gan: “Fluidity, harmony, refinement and tastefulness in an effortless way.”
Joanna Preysler: “Elegance includes, but goes much further than, an individual’s way of dressing. It is how the person carries herself, the quiet confidence and unassuming way she goes about her life.”
Tweetie L.Gonzalez: “It’s all about grace, subtlety and refinement in style.”
Rissa M. Trillo: “Elegance is not just about gowns or jewelry. A woman is elegant when she possesses goodness and kindness.”
Heart Evangelista-Escudero: “Real elegance is not just about one’s physical appearance. It is being beautiful on the inside and doing good. It is being able to express yourself ingeniously, live gracefully and think beyond one’s self.”
Ana de Ocampo: “A woman whose self-assurance allows her to glide gracefully through life wearing her style, upbringing and identity in a way that makes her magnetic.”
Janina Dizon Hoschka: “Elegance is a certain finesse in style and action. It is always subtle and refined.”
Audrey Zubiri: “Elegance in a woman is her way of living and being… paying attention to detail, whether it be with her outfit, daily words and actions or in how she relates to others.”
Anna Rufino: “A perfect balance of grace, beauty and humility shining through one’s personality.
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Photos by GEREMY PINTOLO
