...And in the pink corner! A postscript to Fashion Can Serve 2016

If you were standing outside the Raffles Ballroom while Fashion Can Serve was going on, you could be forgiven for thinking a Pacquiao title fight was going on behind the closed doors. War whoops, yells and loud clapping from the audience were the order of the night as breast cancer survivors would sashay down the ramp, and make the potent statement that there is wonderful life after having been struck down by the disease.

On its second year, Fashion Can Serve took on the theme “We Don’t Walk Alone,” a reminder that these survivors do not take the journey alone. Sister, son, best friend, daughter, oncologist — there are numerous permutations on what form that all-important support team will take, keeping the survivors away from the edge of despair or surrender. And so Fashion Can Serve 2016 celebrated how those relationships are depended on, and help the survivors possess the strength to face insurmountable odds and tragedy.

In the same breath, it was also a stirring testament of how stalwarts of the fashion and entertainment industries are so ready to join hands in the spirit of volunteerism, and make the fundraiser a reminder of how early detection is still the best protection and create much needed funds so that the work of ICanServe Foundation can continue and expand at the municipal level.

Helping my sister, Libet C. Virata, current chairperson of ICanServe, has always been a no-brainer. She’s my “Ate,” and seeing her dedication to the cause was inspiration and reason enough to help her and her co-members mount signature events that would raise awareness and money.

So for this year’s edition, on behalf of my sister and ICanServe, my sincere thanks to designers Randy Ortiz, Dennis Lustico, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rosanna Ocampo, Mark Bumgarner and Patty Ang.

A shout out, likewise, to Heart Evangelista-Escudero, Megan Young, Iza Calzado, Carla Abellana, Karylle, Derek Ramsay, Matteo Guidicelli and James Deakin for clearing their calendars and gifting us with surprise “celeb power.” You guys know that if your participation will make one soul stop while seeing the post-event photos, and wonder what the event was, or why you were there and be reminded that regular self-examination is so important, it will all have been so worth it!

Event host Issa Litton, director Jackie Aquino and auction mistress Tessa Prieto-Valdes were back for this second edition and they get our kudos for helping make the night a stirring and memorable one — and particular thanks to Tessa, for making it a lighthearted one as well.

“My cancer journey began in a clinic and ended in a catwalk,” as posted on Facebook by Frances Yu, who walked with sister Crickette Tantoco, exemplifies how the smile on her face was more than a smile — it was also a statement.

Along with the likes of sisters-in-law Gaita and Malou Fores, mother-daughter Chuchu Madrigal and Alex, Dr. Baby Gozali and Kara, and Beth Romualdez and Via; and mother-son Bibeth O. Siguion-Reyna and Rafa; or best friends Amanda Luym and Cacay Moras-Server, Me’Anne Solomon and director Olive Lamasan, and Rita Nazareno and Maxine Chua; Sun Life’s Lorenza Huang, the Medical City troika of Doctors Alcazaren and Asedillo with survivor Carmen Araneta — there were numerous examples of how surviving breast cancer is a celebration of living.

Partnering to mount the show was Philip Stein and founder Will Stein who flew in just to be part of the night’s festivities.

Sun Life was a co-presenter. Kevin Strain, who heads Sun Life Financial Asia, spoke about how their support of the advocacy had a personal aspect, given how his mother back in Canada is a survivor herself.

Returning as sponsors were the likes of Security Bank, Del Monte, Marie France, Mercedes-Benz and Globe Platinum. Medical City made the jump this year and donating for the auction we had the likes of SSI, Amanpulo, El Nido, Pearl Farm and Estée Lauder (via brands Jo Malone and La Mer). Media and bar sponsors, plus those who helped in the logistics of mounting the show such as Moss Manila, Six Inch, Inewvation and Golden Touch round up those who deserve mention. P&G sent a range of products to be handed out during the OKtober nationwide events. To all the above and the ones I may have missed mentioning, our heartfelt gratitude for making the night such a resounding success.

And of course, there was the overflowing audience who trooped to the Raffles Ballroom and transformed the fashion show into a veritable community gathering. Your outpouring of compassion and love deeply touched all those who walked the runway, and the ICanServe Foundation members who organized the affair. They will forever be grateful for your unbridled, enthusiastic support.

Verily, the Pink Corner was rocking that Fashion Can Serve night!