Images by Nice Print Photo

A day before Michael Leyva’s turn at the Goldenberg Fashion Series, strong rains plagued the city, enough to make one dread a possible cancellation. But Michael Leyva seems to be one of heaven’s favorite children. That, or the offerings to Santa Clara—a tradition Filipinos know too well when in need of good weather—worked. 

But on Aug.8, the skies cleared for the fashion show that was set up as an outdoor affair, right in front of the Goldenberg Mansion. 
“I’m really very happy na kung ano yung plinano, nangyari (that everything happened exactly as we planned it). Weather is kalaban (an enemy) but I’m really very thankful to God and that everyone in the team is so cooperative,” Leyva said. “Walang part ng team na sumuko. [I said] Lalaban tayo na this is gonna happen (Nobody in the team gave up. I said, we are all going to fight for this to happen).”
And it did happen—quite splendidly at that.

The 65-piece collection donned by 30 of Michael Leyva’s handpicked muses and 30 professional models was a study in Filipino beauty and identity. Titled “Iisang Pilipinas,” the show allowed Leyva to bring his audience on a journey through the country’s main island groups and more.

“The purpose of it is not just to showcase Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—but [we are going to work it] as a whole. Textiles, heritage, I think it is important that this is a platform where we can showcase that,” Leyva added.

It was a spectacle of what he does best. His signature silhouettes paired with textures contributed by the various fabrics and materials from the country’s different regions. Lights projected onto the mansion accompanied the music. Its closed, lattice windows served as screens where footage and interviews of the weavers who were instrumental to the project were shown, making it an immersive experience. 

It was Heart Evangelista who opened the show. She was ethereal in white—a color she often dons. There is something about a terno covered in pearls, however, that truly elevated her whole ensemble. Looking out the window from the mansion’s upper floor, while a choir sang Ryan Cayabyab’s “Sa May Bintana,” she awoke feelings of nostalgia among the audience, seemingly bringing the audience back to the mansion’s heyday.

“This is Perlas ng Silangan—it’s the second gown I wore from Michael and they’ve always been pearls. I wore his first one at the SONA. This one is just very iconic,” Heart shared after the show. For her, wearing pearls is one of the ways she gets to represent the Philippines to the world. “The pearl represents the Filipina—shiny, lustrous, delicate-looking, but still very strong,” she said.

Donning a floral, turquoise terno, Audrey Tan-Zubiri was a vision. Her husband, Senator Migz Zubiri, who was part of the audience, was more than just a proud husband that night as his daughter Adi also walked the runway in a crimson terno. 

“I’m so honored, happy, and proud to be invited to take part in this,” Audrey said. “I really am a fan of how Michael was able to elevate and really show us the beauty of Philippine fabrics and weaves.” For the senator’s wife, Leyva’s talents truly lie in how he is able to bring different aspects of Philippine fabric together in one show and the immaculate fit his gowns are known for. “Ang galing talaga (He’s so good)—one zip and the dress is just perfect. Now I can truly say he’s one of my favorites,” said Audrey.

The Goldenberg Fashion Series is a project spearheaded by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos following the restoration of three, once-neglected historical mansions in the Malacañang complex: Bahay Ugnayan, the Teus Mansion, and the Goldenberg Mansion. With a vision to repurpose them into museums and cultural venues, the Goldenberg Mansion is starting to become home to some of Philippine fashion’s most beautiful events that also showcase Filipino identity and put indigenous fabrics at the forefront.

“I’m also very grateful that our First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has taken this on as an advocacy because now we can see that there really is a resurgence in Filipino wear and it’s all thanks to our First Lady’s efforts,” Audrey added.
The First Lady, also present at the event, wore a light blue and white terno made out of lace and piña callado, also by Leyva.

Tootsy Angara, wife of Senator Sonny Angara, also graced the runway in a black, off-shoulder number. Dramatic, elegant, and with sheer train, this isn’t Angara’s first Leyva creation but something she said she would definitely treasure. “I’ve been wearing Michael Leyva a lot and he’s such a wonderful, kind, generous person, so it’s so easy to keep going back to him. He seems larger than life but at the same time, such a gentle human being,” Tootsy shared about her long-standing friendship with the designer. “I love the tie top, the big sleeves—dramatic but still allows the wearer to eat.” 

Other notable personalities in the show were Senator Robinhood Padilla’s wife, Mariel Padilla, who wore a green and black floor-length terno made using Mindanao fabric, Congresswoman Len Alonte, Congresswoman Lani Mercado, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora who accompanied his daughter Amanda, and Scarlet Snow Belo, accompanied by her father Hayden Kho.