It’s a red-letter day in the social calendar, for sure, usually the first of the major events we dress up to the nines for in the ball season every year.

On its 13th year, the Red Charity Gala, which also champions Filipino designers and their work, gave the centerstage to Lulu Tan-Gan, the first woman ever to join its distinguished roster of esteemed designers comprised so far by Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren, Lesley Mobo, Chito Vijandre, Joey Samson, Rajo Laurel, and Ivarluski Aseron.

Launched in 2009 by philanthropists Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, the benefit ball held at the grand ballroom of the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig on Sept. 25 raised a total of ₱5.25 million for its many beneficiaries, such as the Hope for Lupus Foundation and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation on top of the Philippine Red Cross. Some of the precious things auctioned off to raise this much were art pieces from Ryan Villamael, Kim Oliveros, Catalina Africa, Carlo Tanseco, Bernardo Pacquing, and Angelito Antonio, as well as a selection of luxurious vacation stays and trips from City of Dreams, The Upper House Hongkong, Island Shangri-La Hongkong, Kowloon Shangri-La Hong Kong, Shangri-la Singapore, Shangri-la Bosphorus in Istanbul and Capetown, South Africa trips from A2A Safaris, and Philippine Airlines’ business class trips to Hong Kong, and Emirates business class trips to Europe. Also on the block were a Prime and Health Elite Package from Centre Medicale Internationale, a Uratex Senso Memory Frost Mattress, Crate&Barrel items, a Philomene 8.43 carat pair of earrings from Diagold, and a 10-13mm Jewelmer exquisite South Sea pearl necklace.

The show, “Farm to Fashion,” exploring the myriad possibilities of piña, was directed by Robby Carmona with Noel Manapat as stylist, Gino Gonzales as scenographer, whose set design featured some of the works of Leo Aguinaldo, and Henri Calayag and his team for hair and makeup.