Designs by graduating students of the Fashion Design and Merchandising (AB-FDM) program came to life at the PNB Financial Center Banking Hall runway on Jan. 31, celebrating the end of their college journey and the 10th anniversary of SINULID.
SINULID is AB-FDM’s thesis project that allows the students to feature what they have learned in the program, a culminating event that takes up over a year of revisions, collaborative work, and planning to happen. This year marks the biggest graduating batch, composed of 91 designers to have their lines showcased in front of their family, friends, and even potential employers within the fashion industry.
Where the runway begins
When asked on the story behind “Awanggan” as the theme, Ms. Ionica Abraham-Lim, the program Chairperson shared in an exclusive interview with The Benildean that, “[...] it's two words mixed together, it means zero and limitless. So, that's the story behind these 91 designers…they’re limitless, the possibilities are endless.”
The students are pushed by their FDM mentors to produce a collection consisting of three outfits that go beyond their imaginative limitations. Ms. Abraham-Lim also indicated that, “It starts from a concept and research, a really, really deep research. Because we want our students to have that good foundation when they start their designing.” Once the revisions and works are completed, “We get to pick which one is worthy of the runway. So, it's a mix of the students, the industry partners, and of course, the FDM mentors,” she added.
From Ms. Abraham-Lim’s perspective, every year, SINULID brings something new to the table, not one can be the same as another, “It's always so different every year, it's not just the number. But you can already see their connection [as a batch], how diverse and how different they want to speak about fashion. I think it's really their character.”
The runway of beginnings and endings
Entering the banking hall, the uniquely designed runway is the first thing that caught the audience’s attention. Formed in a circular shape, it resembles the number zero with three monitors surrounding the stage to better accommodate the audience. Its format resulted in an interesting experience where they got to see the designs right in front of them and what was about to come, on the monitor. With each side expressing different emotions and reactions all at the same time, the build-up of anticipation made the show all the more engaging.
With 91 designers present, the fashion show was divided into three acts that created a portal-like atmosphere where time was frozen. The show started with “ACT I: Takipsilim,” these collections were evoked by nostalgia and memory, taking on a fluid, unbounded form. This was followed by “ACT II: Hating-Gabi,” where the designs tackle the in-between of transition and self-rebellion, whether it be through religion, societal norms, or within themselves. “ACT III: Bukang-Liwayway” ended the sequence with works depicting the aftermath of a disaster, where silhouettes continue as time begins again, bringing the audience back to reality.
After the designs took center stage, the audience saw the designers themselves walk the runway, applause echoing throughout the hall. For the viewers, it was merely a chance to see the creatives in person; for the designers, it was as momentous as receiving their diplomas. As the show neared the end, outstanding student-designers from AB-FDM were awarded in different categories in which they excelled, giving recognition to their work. The winners for each category are:
Special Citation Award (Certificate of Recognition):
Aniann Maurel V. Bonotano (ID121)
Mabyn Faith D. De Vera (ID122)
Rainer Joshua B. Dysanco (ID122)
Amanda Antonette D. Garcia (ID122)
Ashanti Nicole M. Medes (ID122)
Jillian Ngo (ID122)
Mishika A. Sasakura (ID122)
Surface Design Award - Leainn Shagami B. Felizco (ID122)
Design Concept Award - Monica Francesca M. Cortes (ID121)
Brand Concept Award - Panco E. Tinsay (ID121)
Digital Portfolio Award - Kirsten Camille C. Bianzon (ID121)
Emerging Creative Talent - John Simon P. Co (ID120)
Boundless creations
Behind the endless creations lie months of preparation, during which designers patiently brought each piece to life.
When asked how they felt seeing their works on the runway, ID121 AB-FDM student, Carl Joseph Doringo shared in an interview with The Benildean, “Oh wow, actually super mixed emotion siya. Kasi, knowing the fact that it almost took us a year to produce it, parang super daming efforts, not just physically, emotionally, and siyempre financially also.”
At the heart of Doringo’s work, “BULAG!” is his advocacy for awareness around over consumption—an issue many people unknowingly contribute to. “My inspiration with my pieces is really all about my personal experience with over consumption… I got easily influenced with the trends, social media na parang ‘Oh you should get this, you should get that.’” Knowing this, Doringo wanted his message to be centered on this idea.
“I want people to also be aware of their own personal consumption because when it comes to overconsumption, not a lot of people are aware that they're contributing to it,” he shared.
While another designer, Athena Yo-Eco, an ID122 student from the AB-FDM program, expressed in an interview with The Benildean, that her work entitled “SPECTACULA” centers on individuality rather than one that follows trends alone. She emphasized the importance of reconnecting with oneself rather than being driven by what is constantly seen around us.
Yo-Eco shared, “The message is to have your own identity. Not in a way that you follow trends or niches. Parang, you dig into your own individuality, what you feel like wearing.”
She also encouraged people to slow down and reflect, explaining that self-awareness comes from taking time away from the noise of everyday life. “Apparently that's how you really get to know yourself. And that's the only thing you really need. [It] is to get to know who you are inside.”
As for Co, recipient of the Emerging Creative Talent award, the inspiration behind his piece was deeply personal. His collection draws inspiration from the movie Atonement and weaves in a personal story as well on the path of his father making his work a tribute to his dad.
“He actually supported me, continuing what I do, what I want to do. So here's my tribute to him,” Co expressed in an interview with The Benildean. Being called upon to receive the award was an emotional moment for him. “I was very, very nervous. I was shaking, heading to Brother […] But worth it lahat.”
When asked about what advice he would give to incoming students who will undertake their journey in SINULID, Co advised to “Just be yourself. Don't try to do what others do. Just be yourself.”
On to the next runway
With endless possibilities comes more years of emerging designers. As SINULID marks its 10th year, it continues to house Benildean designers with bolder ideas made for the runway.
In an interview, Ms. Abraham-Lim expressed her pride in the Benildean designers, “We're always so proud of our students because it's not just them being a designer, it's them mounting the whole show. So, imagine doing that side by side, it's really crazy. But it's also a good practice.”
She added that seeing the designers’ smiles at the end of the runway was what mattered most, and that they felt proud of every designer..
