Fashion Meets Conservation as WWF-Philippines, Elegant Filipinas 2019 Promote a Plastic-Free Future
September 2019
WWF-Philippines Next Generation Council Member Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez urges the Elegant Filipinas 2019 audience to say no to single-use plastics and to do their part for the environment. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
The Philippines’ fiercest and most fabulous lend their hand in promoting a plastic-free future.
Elegant Filipinas 2019 lent its support to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ #AyokoNgPlastik Movement on the 11th of September at Diamond Hotel Manila, with the help of the countries’ top designers and style icons.
From left to right: WWF-Philippines Brand and Innovative Partnerships Assistant Manager Kent Rebultan, WWF-Philippines Marketing and Resource Generation Head Ismael Cabigao, style icon Tingting Cojuangco and WWF-Philippines Corporate Partnerships Manager Cloda Urquico. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
The Elegant Filipinas fashion show began in 2015 with style icon and social activist Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco. Together with Consul General to Monaco for the Philippines Fortune Ledesma and the Elegant Filipinas committee, Cojuangco nominated ten Filipinas who “bequeath a legacy of refinement, beauty and sophistication while humbly creating a string of personal achievements for the betterment of womankind.” This year’s Elegant Filipinas focused on increasing awareness for the environment, particularly the threat posed by plastic pollution.
The event began with opening remarks from both Ledesma and WWF-Philippines Next Generation Council Member Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez, who detailed the criteria for Elegant Filipinas and how the show was supporting WWF-Philippines this year. Kienle-Gonzalez also urged the audience to support the #AyokoNgPlastik movement with a reminder that everyone has a role to play in protecting the planet, no matter how small. The fashion show began afterwards, with award-winning designer Albert Andrada showcasing his dresses by projecting underwater videos, courtesy of WWF-Philippines, onto them.
Dresses by award-winning designer Albert Andrada shine with the beauty of the underwater world. Images courtesy of WWF-Philippines. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
“If we decide to make a conscious effort to reduce single-use plastics in our daily consumption, we will not only raise awareness for this issue. We will make a difference,” said Kienle-Gonzalez. The Next Generation Council has been campaigning for the reduction of single-use plastics through the #AyokoNgPlastik movement, which works with both businesses and the public in the promotion of sustainable practices.
WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Iza Calzado is recognized as an Elegant Filipina for her work advocating for the environment. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
“In being here tonight to support these amazing women, you are directly supporting WWF-Philippines’ #AyokoNgPlastik initiative, and I further encourage you to take up this worthy cause regardless of how small it is,” concluded Kienle-Gonzalez, echoing Elegant Filipinas 2019’s overall call to action toward the conservation of the planet.
For media arrangements, please contact:
Mr. Dan Ramirez
Communications and Media Manager
dramirez@wwf.org.ph
