Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez together with Tourism Director Rene de los Santos and Trade Representative Nini Alvero played host to Anthony Cruz Legarda’s fusion fashion show Arkiteknik last night as well as master weavers Ganay Delikan, Nelia Rogano and Myrna Pula. The event, entitled An Evening of Extraordinary Philippine Fashion was held in downtown San Francisco at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center on 447 Sutter Street.

The night’s festivities began with a tourism promotion video of the Department of Tourism which left the crowd in awe of the beauty of the Philippines and the numerous destinations within the country. The audience was further treated to a demonstration by T’boli master weaver and master musician Ganay Delikan who mesmerized those in attendance with her use of her tribe’s ancient musical instrument the hagalong.

The evening’s main event was the fashion show wherein three of Anthony’s models displayed his designs to the very receptive crowd. The clothes featured a different take on traditional Filipino wear since they were fused with Western concepts. Consul General Sanchez congratulated Anthony, the three T’boli weavers, and all others involved in the project by giving them Plaques of Appreciation. “We really should thank our three weavers for coming all the way to the Bay Area to demonstrate their art and share it with the people of San Francisco” she said. “They sacrificed a lot of their time, but I believe they have done our country a great service by sharing with others their beautiful craft, which shows the very diverse and rich culture of the Philippines” she added. Anthony Legarda also paid homage to the three weavers through his video presentation which featured the intricate art of T’boli weaving.

The Social Hall of the Philippine Center was transformed into a house of Tinalak, with the elegant material being draped over the display areas in the room. Various items of the T’boli were also sold to those in attendance.