Richness prevails when it is cultivated to deepen one’s soul.
Such is the adage worn as an emblem by the women of ZONTA.
For years, this established society of women have gone to such lengths in their philanthropic pursuit of advocating for the welfare of all women, whatever age, background, status, or profession they belong.
This coming July, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs invites everyone to join them in contributing to a higher purpose by coming to the FilipinaZ grand charity fair. “FilipinaZ is a yearly fundraiser we organize for the benefit of womankind,” shares Zonta Club of Makati & Environs President Armita Rufino. “Proceeds from this benefit go to our many programs centered on uplifting women’s lives – from women’s health services, to livelihood generation, and beyond.”
Art You Can Wear
To shop at FilipinaZ is to explore homegrown designers’ various takes on fashion that complements a Filipina’s refined beauty. More than just a fair, it’s a platform for discovering handcrafted jewelry presented by local exhibitors known for working precious materials into wearable art.
Designer Amanda Luym and Cacay Moras-Server of All that Glitters is set to showcase handcrafted jewelry meant to transform with the wearer. All that Glitters is known for using gems that are authentically sourced from legendary mines all over Asia, Africa, and South America, even the USA or unexpected European enclaves.
Juliana Santos-Garrett, through her label, Eccentrics Limited, will present one-of-a-kind carabao horn jewelry and other eccentric pieces made from indigenous materials sourced from all over the globe. Assembled by hand, her pieces cater to the bold and the fashion forward.
Frederick and Georgina Ong are set to grace the fundraising exhibit with stylish modular day-to-night jewelry from their brand Alchemista. For FilipinaZ, Alchemista will unveil the much-awaited result of their collaboration with Kyooreo’s Charming Baldemor – hand-carvedminaudières embellished with metals and semi-precious stones.
Fashion accessory designer Carlo Evaristo’s label Otsirav’e will showcase one-of-a-kind handcrafted metal bracelets, neck pieces, and more. . A stunning showcase of Filipino raw materials, Otsirav’e will bring you lavish artisanal statement jewelry that doubles as wearable art.
Doro Barandino’s eponymous clutches and jewelry label D’Oro Barandino is set to exhibit the designer’s signature geometric and architectural-shaped minaudières, soft-leather clutches and gold-plated brass jewelry.
Lastly, award-winning jewelry designer Ann Ong, best known for handcrafted metal bracelets, neck pieces, and evening clutch bags that got her to win 3 Katha awards consecutively, will present pieces from her Definitive Handcrafted Opulence collection.
A New Breed of Artistry
More than a lifestyle fair, FilipinaZ serves as an avenue for people to witness and support the promising artistry of today’s up-and-coming Filipino painters and visual artists.
Established by pedagogy and enriched by time, the works of multi-awarded realist painter Mario Panis is set to be on display for people to see his originality and talent up-close. The breadth of his expertise extends to portraits, landscapes, still life and nudes in oil, watercolor and pastel. In addition, his penchant for realism led him to win prestigious awards. A well-known Filipino critic even described his work as “unnervingly real, locked as it is in the stupendous superiority of his work.”
FilipinaZ will also unravel the artistry of painter Ronna Manansala. Her stunning artworks not only show bold colors and sure brushstrokes, her take on female themes evoke a unique depiction of grace that is distinctly rural and honest.
Ronna’s ability to bring women to life delivers truthful humility and raw strength in equal measure. A painter and a sculptor, Ronna is the granddaughter of Philippine National Artist in Visual Arts Vicente Manansala.
Painter and writer Boysie Villavicencio, on the other hand, will be showcasing a body of work that illustrates scenes of spirited underwater ecosystems bursting to colorful life – a collection of paintings that are both eye-catching and curiously serene.
For Women, By Women
A yearly fundraiser organized by the Zonta Club of Makati & Environs, FilipinaZ advocates for the welfare of women by showcasing timeless jewelry, exquisite art, and sophisticated fashion to raise awareness and proceeds for the club’s women-empowering projects.
These projects include the Psychological Center for Sexually Abused Children, Empowering Women Scholarship Program, No to Early Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy Advocacy, as well as other projects promoting women’s health and livelihood.
A 3-day exhibit slated to grace the Penthouse at 8 Rockwell from the 28thto the 30th of July, FiilipinaZ is inspired by the strength, beauty, and sophistication of a true Filipina, as depicted in most of the works exhibited in the fair.
FilipinaZ will also be unveiling limited edition prints signed by the artists of the featured artwork for authentication. Proceeds from the sale of these prints will go directly to the programs ZONTA supports.
ZONTA member herself Charming Baldemor is set to have her booth exhibit custom-made wooden minaudières as well as fashion accessories, collectible figurines, lamps, and furniture pieces from her shop Kyooreo: Baldemor Carvings & Sculptures. A carving and sculpting company from From Paete, the carving capital of the Philippines, Kyooreo specializes in capturing the essence of Filipino artistry thru decorative and functional handicrafts and high-end sculpture art pieces.
Charming will also be unveiling the much-awaited result of her collaboration with Alchemista’s Georgina Ong – hand-carved minaudières embellished with metals and semi-precious stones
Ornate, geometric and opulent. Bask in this gold splendor by Kathy and Kathy Bespoke
Artist Katrina Pallon paints feminine subjects in a pan-asian backdrop over breathtaking patterns. She is one of the featured artists at the Bruno Art Gallery, a global art house with galleries and offices in Israel, Singapore, Turks & Caicos Islands and USA. For the fundraiser, Bruno Art will exhibit multi-dimensional works by Slava Ilyayev, David Gerstein, and local artists like Katrina Pallon, Jay Ragma, Jeff Dahilan, Michael Pastorizo, and more.
Doro Barandino’s eponymous clutches and jewelry label is set to exhibit the designer’s signature geometric and architectural-shaped minaudières, as well as soft-leather clutches and gold-plated brass jewelry
A D’Oro Barandino design features an aesthetic that’s never overwrought, and has a certain graphic symmetry and linear clarity to its style.
The jewelry label by designer Amanda Luym and her partner Cacay Moras-Server, All That Glitters will be selling handcrafted jewelry that can transform with the wearer and small fine leather goods proudly made in the Philippines.
All that Glitters is known for using gems are authentically sourced from legendary mines all over Asia, Africa, South America, even the USA or unexpected European enclaves.
