Eric de los Santos' Manila Fashion Gala -- A Huge Hit

By Joanne Marie Combong-Pijuan

Tessa Valdes - Prieto, Linda Hoblitzel and Eric

Iloilo's one and only fashion prince Eric de los Santos wowed Manila's discriminating fashion aficionados last March 12 when he showcased his fabulous 70-piece collection to a jam-packed crowd at the RCBC Plaza in Makati. Dubbed “Seasons…by Eric de los Santos ” and produced by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Graduate School , the gala show was a huge success.

The guest list was teeming with Manila and Iloilo 's fashionable who's who: two of the country's top fashion designers Rajo Laurel and Jojie Lloren gave their support to Eric, as did Young Designers' Guild (YDG) President Mel Vergel de Dios and Francis Libiran of Njork. Famed Fashion

Rajo Laurel, Mel Vergel de Dios, Ariel Lozada, Eric, Joji Lloren, Pau Banusing

Director Ariel Lozada, eccentric socialite Tessa Prieto–Valdes, and Manila-based Ilongga Allana Lopez-Montelibano also added glamour to the event. Also in attendance were accessories designer Tina Campos and TV personality Arsi Baltazar. Of course, no fashion event is complete without the presence of style scribes Bea Ledesma of YStyle and Kitty Espiritu of Mega Magazine. Iloilo's glitterati also came in full force: socialite Linda Hoblitzel, Dr. Aileen Montero, realtor Jeanette Oberio, restaurateur Pauline Banusing, and fellow FDCI designers Bo Constantino and Aldrich Aparicio were also among the few who flew to Manila to applaud Iloilo fashion's “It” boy. And of course, not to be missed is Eric's ever supportive fam ille: mom Letty, sister and brother-in law Julie Ann and Raymond Minoso and their kids Ashley, Katkat and Kaycee.

Eric's guest/friends Shammy Hofileña. Atty. Connie Jimenez, Allana - Lopez Montelibano, Jundy Gueco, Karen Ganzon, Pia Nava, Kim Salazar, Pau Banusing, Jeanette Obervo and friends.

Aside from the guests that undeniably gave oomph to the event, what really made this fashion show one of a kind (aside from Eric's fantastic creations of course) was the gathering of Manila's top professional ramp models who donned Eric's cocktail dresses and formal gowns with panache. The lineup was every designer's dream come true which included: senoras Marina Benipayo, Irma Maglalang, and Badette Villalon; PMAP models Rissa Samson, Raya Mananquil, Grace Tagle, Nicolette Bell and Jo Ann Bitagcol; and Ilongga Best Model of the World finalists Nice Moriente and Everille Aparicio. Pepoy Tancinco of Stretch Center did the Hair and Make-up and Ichi Pichi and Tina Campos provided the accessories.

Curtain Call Eric with Marina Benipayo and Everille Aparicio

With the success of Eric's show, his indefatigable talent and charismatic clout – he's definitely the designer to watch this 2005. Kudos to you Eric for a truly fab show!