The beloved Mang Ben Farrales may be gone and we may still be languishing amid a pandemic, but the annual Flores de Mayo will continue to flourish. The Dean of Filipino Designers founded an annual tradition to honor of Mother Mary in 1979 as the founding chairman of the Congregacion del Nombre de Jesus. As he became frail in recent years, fashion director Ogee Atos (assisted by Bong Regala and the Congregacion) assumed the responsibility of mounting this Maytime revelry.
The festival was held in recent years at the SM Mall of Asia. But for the second year in a row, the 42nd edition, with the theme “Kabanalan: The Ten Evangelical Virtues of Mary,” will be held virtually on May 16. A Mass, to be livestreamed at 5 pm, will be celebrated at the Sto. Niño de Violago Chapel in Quezon City.
“As a designer worthy of note, to be a part of an elite group of designers invited to the most prestigious Mayflower event in this country is indeed a major privilege, as it comes with an honor to be in the league of such great artists in the Philippine fashion as Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno, Aureo Alonzo, Joe Salazar, Danilo Franco, Gerry Katigbak, Pepsi Herrera, Renee Salud, Nolie Hans, Steve de Leon, Edgar Allan, Rholand Roxas, to name a few,” said Atos.
Through the years, the fantastic creations have been worn by the most charming Filipinas including beauty queens Melanie Marquez, Abbygale Arenas, Kristine Florendo, Susan Ritter and Sara Jane Paez and some celebrities.
“The Congregacion’s Flores de Mayo have brought to the fore the artistry of Filipino fashion designers in perpetuating the cultural and traditional mores in dressing, thereby keeping the heritage alive for the next generation to emulate. It remains unequaled,” Atos declared.
Since there would be no physical presentation owing to stringent Covid protocols, the 50 participating designers were requested to submit sketches of their entries. The designs must be a terno in blue and white plus one color or gold for accent.
The designers were divided following “The Ten Evangelical Virtues of Mary.” Most Pure (Purisima): Nolie Hans, Toni Galang, Olé Morabe, Steve de Leon, Jing Chua; Most Prudent (Prudentisima): Renee Salud, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Roland Lirio, Rey Lazaro, Edgar San Diego; Most Humble (Humildisima): Adam Balasa, Paolo Blanco, Vince Sityar, Ranel Espaldon, Sonyboy Mindo; Most Faithful (Fidelisima): Barge Ramos, Albert Andrada, Nardie Presa, Pencil Diestra, Jon Fernando; Most Devout (Devotisima): Nickky Martinez, Jontie Martinez, Marlo Javier, Pepe Quitco, Federico Navarro;
Most Obedient (Obedientisima): Gil Granado, Russ Cuevas, Danika Damo, Ramil Estrope, Patty Valle; Most Poor (Pobrisima): Chico Estiva, Louis Pangilinan, Rian Fernandez, Mikee Andrei, Rowell Panlilio; Most Patient (Pacientisima): Buddy Reyes, Leslie Rivera, Christopher Quejano, Roy Aquino, Obet Orajay; Most Merciful (Misercordiosima): Albert Fontanilla, JP Francisco, James O’Briant, Val de Chavez, Gary Roces; Most Sorrowful (Dolorsisima): Lloyd Arceo, Uly Montenegro, Crio Ebreo, Rainier Lim, Athena Barretto.
After the Mass, there will be virtual recognition for La Flor de Pasay, La Flor de Manila, Reina de las Flores, Rosa Mystica and the Magandang Pilipina award, also known as the Ben Farrales Award as a tribute to the late founding chairman. But fashion pillars Nolie Hans, Renee Salud, Steve de Leon, Toni Galang and Jing Chua will not be in contention for the titles.