What makes an elegant Filipina?

MANILA, Philippines - There are lists and then there are lists. Every year, you see women being ranked as best dressed, best this and best that. Perhaps the list to top them all is this list of The Elegant Filipinas handpicked by Tingting Cojuangco herself, famously hailed in 1967 as one iof the 100 most beautiful women in the world by Harper’s Bazaar. A hall of famer in best-dressed lists,Tingting has “the vision of uplifting the Filipina, whose impeccable taste in social grace and fashion, transforms women to respect one’s self, inspire others, and contribute to one's community, society and country.”

The 10 elegant Filipinas will be presented at the Diamond Hotel on Sept. 22 in a cocktail event hosted by Edu Manzano, followed by a fashion exhibition by Albert Andrada, Ronaldo Arrnaldo, JC Buendia and Rajo Laurel. The women were picked by Tingting together with a panel composed of Anton San Diego and Chit Lijauco of Philippine Tatler and fashion personalities Tina Ocampo, Christian Espitiru and Mark Higgins. The event will benefit women weavers and sewers in Kabayan, Benguet Province and dressmakers in Tanauan, Leyte under the Special Training for Employees Program. They will be trained by TESDA and Slim’s Fashion and Arts School.

Here, Tingting and the 10 Elegant Filipinas define elegance in their own words.

Tingting Cojuangco An elegant woman is a woman of refinement, style and substance. She is not necessarily at the center of attention, but never the; less she is confident. She is cultured, well-mannered. She knows the language of fashion and the idiom of grace. She commands respect in her chosen field because of her expertise, and wisdom tempered by compassion. She leaves a legacy of identity, power, beauty and sophistication.

Mandy de la Rama

Elegance is about sophistication, dignity, restraint and class. As Coco Chanel said: “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful

as the outside.”

Lucy Torres-Gomez

An elegant woman is comfortable in her own style. She dresses to please herself first and foremost, not to impress others. If the latter does happen, then that is just icing on the cake. An elegant woman knows just how much skin to show, and when, if at all. She has good manners and can carry on a good conversation. Elegance is a lifestyle. You live it even when no one is watching.

Tootsy Angara

An elegant woman is one who is cleverly simple and beautiful inside out.

Fortune Ledesma

I like Coco Chanel’s definition of elegance because it reminds me that it is equally important, if not more so, to work on being a kind, loving and compassionate person as it is to cultivate a particular style of dress.

Ching Cruz

Elegance is a way of life. It is reflected in so many facets of life, from refinement and grace in the smallest details, to the simplicity of style and manner of dressing.

Vicky Zubiri

Elegance means always looking your best, being well groomed, having good manners and being well educated.

Amparito Lhuillier

A woman of elegance will always

be stylish, whether she is at home,

at work, or at any event she attends. Her hairdo, makeup, jewelry, accessories, dresses, shoes and jeans will say it all.

Cindy Yang

Elegance is not just about the stuff that you do. It's also about the stuff that you don't do. Elegance can't be defined but it can be felt. The simple gestures, the values that the person possesses and the things that she holds dear all form part of what is elegant.

Zelda Kienle

Elegance is beauty in its simplicity and refinement.

Gwen Garcia

Elegance is the afterglow of simplicity.