Members of Manila society gathered in this year’s Red Charity Gala, which made its big comeback with a stunning auction and fashion show, raising a total of ₱7.5 million for various NGOs.
Many know the Red Charity Gala as one of the biggest fashion and charity events in the country, and this year, the highly-anticipated event made its triumphant return through a celebration of Philippine fashion, art, and meaningful endeavors.
Various members of Manila society joined together to raise funds for different non-government organizations. Thanks to their collective efforts, the gala managed to raise a total of ₱7.5 million for beneficiaries like The Philippine Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation. This year, the gala also partnered with the Hope for Lupus Foundation. The two groups aim to raise awareness on the autoimmune disease, as well as provide support for those struggling with the illness.
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In previous years, the gala has funded numerous initiatives in service of the Filipino people. These include building two children’s libraries in Eastern Samar, as well as providing two-year senior high school scholarships to 20 deserving students in Iloilo. The gala also used its funds to grant first aid and disaster readiness training to youth volunteers. During the height of the COVID pandemic, gala funds also supplied hot meals, fresh produce, and isolation facilities to medical frontliners.
Red Charity Gala’s Partners for a Brighter Tomorrow
The gala’s founders, Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, were both present at the event. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was also in attendance. Lifestyle Asia May 2023 cover star Kai Nakanishi Lim, and the publication’s August 2023 cover stars, Kyle and Kerry Tinga, joined in the activities.
Philippine Airlines COO Stanley Ng and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan were also present. Other guests included Plains & Prints founder Roxanne Farillas, Avignon founder Christopher Cachuela, and The Aivee Group founders Aivee and Z Teo. Members of the government also joined the gala to contribute to its fundraisers, including Senator Mark Villar, Mayor Abby Binay, and Senator Nancy Binay.
Art for a Cause
The event began with a stunning auction composed of various lots—namely artworks, jewelry pieces, home and living packages, beauty and wellness packages, and even luxurious vacation stays.
The gala featured different masterpieces from artists like Patrick Coard and Jigger Cruz. As for jewelry, intricate pieces from JMA Jewelry, Diagold and Jewelmer, and Omega watch were up for sale. Home and living packages included items from Crate & Barrel and Genteel Home. Meanwhile, beauty and wellness packages included services from Luminisce, Rhodium Regenerative Institute, and Spectrumed’s Sofwave.
The gala auction also offered luxurious vacation stays at Balesin, Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay, Anantara Vacation Club in Thailand, A2A Safaris’ Royal Chundu River Lodge in Zambia, and The Peninsula in its locations in Manila, Bangkok, Istanbul, and London.
Highlighting Talent
Each year, the Red Charity Gala presents the works of some of the country’s best designers in a spectacular fashion show that serves as the highlight of the evening. Past shows featured the works of great talents like Rajo Laurel, Joey Samson, Chito Vijandre, Lesley Mobo, Jojie Lloren, Ezra Santos, Cary Santiago, Michael Cinco, Furne One, and Dennis Lustico.
The 2023 edition of the gala chose to highlight the works of Ivarluski Aseron. After the thrilling auction, guests witnessed his glamorous show. It featured his recent collection inspired by the theme “A Memoir in Motion.” True enough, the pieces embody the designer’s journey and personal expression, acting as a tangible record of his accomplishments and progress throughout his career.
More specifically, these works paid homage to his past designs and techniques while incorporating new methods and styles he’s explored and developed over the years.
For Aseron, there was no better place to showcase this special collection. The Red Charity Gala, after all, is more than a sparkling celebration. Its purpose lies in promoting the country’s beauty, both by commemorating what it already has and steadily transforming it into the best that it can be.
For more news and updates, you may follow Red Charity Gala on Instagram, @redcharitygala.
Photos by Willy Saw and Daniel Tan.
