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Posts Tagged ‘charity’

Rock & Fashion for a Cause!

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Rock and Roll plus Fashion is always a good mix! After getting well from the flu and feeling so much better (Thank GOD!), I decided to pop in at the HOY HOY ONDOY event! It was spearheaded by Tim Yap, Jay Ortega (who incidentally is the director for Project Runway Philippines season 2) and Saga Productions!

The event was a combination of many things! First, it was fundraising and awareness campaign to continue to help the victims of the flood. Second, it was a ROCK CONCERT! There were so many rock bands that donated their time and talent for FREE so that the organizers could raise some major MULAH! All the proceeds of the event would be going to the RED CROSS! Finally, there was a fashion angle. Fashion people also came in full force as top Philippine designers joined in to donate their creations and had a silent auction.

The crowd was a wonderful motley crew of a rockers, fashion folk, young business men and many more. I loved looking at the crowd and generally got a high from seeing that all these people really wanted to help out! By 11 pm, they had collected close to 250 thousand pesos from donations! How wonderful is that? I slipped out soon after that as I did not want a relapse of my flu! However, as I was leaving the event, all I could fee was JUBILATION!

The rock scene! I loved the chill vibe of the crowd enjoying the cool music!

The dance group Pinoy All Stars were there! These hip-hop dancers are just AMAZING!

Head organizer Tim Yap with super model/host Joey Mead! (Joey's family home was flooded badly.)

Nix and Joey! The look of ROCK-CHIC!

Tim with the super pretty Heart Evangelista.

The Fashion Angle!

Dr. Khaz! He has been sharing his services pro-bono in several relief centers around the metro!

Top Models Sanya & Mia collecting donations at the front door!

Divine Lee won the auction for my gold gown! I think it's a perfect match!

Cool installation!

The new fashion tribe! Em, Martin and Veejay!

Super cool dude Illac Diaz was there!

Relief good ready to be shipped out to the victims! Love the fact that the bags were not plastic!

Mobilizing the goods!

BIG HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: benefit, charity, concert, fashion, Fashion Insider, music, rajo laurel, rock, typhoon ondoy
Posted in Fashion Insider | 1 Comment »

Hoy Hoy Ondoy!

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

I think this is really going to be a special event. Saga Productions (the people responsible for all the biggest fashion shows and event launches in the Philippines) will be having a fund raising and awareness concert for the victims of Ondoy! Do come as I know it will be a really fun and meaningful event!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: charity, Fashion Insider, rajo laurel, typhoon ondoy
Posted in Fashion Insider | No Comments »

White Space – Relief Center

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

I just want to share with all of you my incredible experience yesterday. Early Monday morning, I had asked my grocery supplier to send me boxes of canned goods and assorted food for the flood victims. I asked my team to already prepare them in bags so that they would be easily distributed. We ended up filling our delivery truck and my car with relief packages. I failed to count them, but at the time, it seemed like there was a lot.

We decided to take the goods to the White Space along Pasong Tamo extension in Makati. They usually use it for events and parties. However, this was transformed into one of the most efficient relief centers I have been to. Everyone knew what they were doing and when I got there with my truck and car, in a matter of minutes, all the goods were sorted and distributed! Incredible! I think it took them 5 minutes in total!

The White Space Relief Center!

It was one of the most organized teams that I have ever seen! I loved the idea of canvas bags for the relief goods! I wish I could find someone who can donate more of these bags, as the plastic situation was getting scary!

These are packed relief goods ready to be distributed. I just found the plastic situation a bit scary. I know that this is the fastest way to package the goods and send it to those in need, but I am sure there is another alternative.

Nix, my assistant Cara and Divine Lee. Divine has had no sleep for 3 days she has been spearheading the relief of so many of those people who were severely affected by the floods. She really is "Divinely!"

Happy to see my cousin Denise Laurel there! Packing away!

After being there, I felt OMG! Parang kulang pa! People were telling me that they needed more canned goods and more food and more candles! I decided to try and get more of the stuff that they needed. By this time, it was almost 10pm and most of the groceries and supermarkets were closed, but I was compelled to get more. Nix and I decided to raid a couple of convenience stores and buy whatever we could. We were able to buy around 10 more boxes of canned goods and noodles, but this still felt insufficient!

Nix and Cara literally buying the entire stocks of canned goods and noodles of convenience stores that same evening! Check out the empty shelves behind them.

I was so impressed with all the wonderful people there; a couple I knew, a lot I did not know, but everyone was there with all their heart and sincerity helping our brothers and sisters in need. The sun is out today and this makes me happy! However, there is more to be done! Let us all continue sharing our time and resources!
HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: charity, disaster relief, Divine Lee, Fashion Insider, help, rajo laurel, typhoon ondoy, volunteering, White Space
Posted in Fashion Insider | 1 Comment »

R2R @ The Eastwood Mall!

Friday, June 5th, 2009

I have two special groups that are very close to my heart. My Rags-2-Riches group, which is a social business enterprise that helps out the women of Payatas, and the Philippine National Red Cross. I try my best to raise funds and awareness for them every chance I get. So you can just imagine my joy when I had the opportunity to help both organizations at one time! This all happened when my friend Kevin Tan gave me a call and asked if I was willing to design a shopping bag for his Eastwood Mall. I automatically thought of using my Nanays of Payatas!

I am so proud of these women, as we have won several awards all over the world ! I am happy to announce that our family has grown from 20 nanays all the way to almost 400 strong! I wanted to have a photo exhibit showcasing the lives of these women, and I also wanted the people to see where the bags came from. It’s really quite touching when you see the pictures. We launched this project a couple of days ago at the Eastwood Mall, and although it was raining cats and dogs, we had quite the crowd!

I just want to invite all of you to come and take a check out the Eastwood Mall in Libis. It’s really quite impressive. When I went, I thought I was in Vegas! LOL! They even have a Superga store, which is one of my most favorite shoe brands from Italy.

I know you might have a lot of these eco-bags already, but our bags are really different, as each bag is one of a kind. The goodness that you will give out in return from purchasing these bags is immeasurable. All the proceeds of the bags will go to R2R and The Red Cross! So please come and buy and be a part in changing lives!

: Kevin Tan and the host of the evening! My darling Tessa Valdes.

: Tessa carrying the Eastwood Mall ECO-CHIC bag! We only made 500 bags and they are all numbered and personally signed by the nanay who made them. The bag is only 600.00 Pesos.

: Kevin, Tessa and I with the team leaders of the Nanays of R2R.

: The photos were taken by Erwin Liberato and Richelle VIbal. This is a photo of Smokey mountain, which is located in Payatas.

: The retasos/remnants are handwoven to create the material for the bags.

: The bags are sewn using old sewing machines.

: These are the handles for the ECO-Chic bags of the Eastwood mall.

: Handles being tested and shaped.

One of the nanay's working on the frame, which is how the bags are made.

One of the nanays working on the frame, showing how the bags are made.

Mariana from Spain and Ariana from Brazil modellng our bags!

Nix, Fayinna, Carla and Joanna showing their support!

Leo and Marielle Po with Stylebible's Isha Andaya! Thank you so much for coming and braving the rain and the traffic.

The Red Cross was fully represented by Mr. Alfred Xerex-Burgos and Mrs. Lulu Quezon.

Men in STRIPES! Keving Tan and Raul Manzano.

The smiles of these children are my personal remuneration.

We had a quick fashion show with the bags!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Tags: charity, eastwood mall, eco-chic, Fashion Insider, friends, payatas, rags 2 riches, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »

RIIR by Aranaz!

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

I may not have a child, but I now know how a parent must feel when a child does so very, very well! I was beaming with pride when I attended the launch of R2R‘s newest line designed by the very talented Amina Aranaz-Alunan. The collection was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

When Brother Xavi asked me to be part of the Rags to Riches project, it just felt so right. This is exactly how I envisioned where R2R would be heading a collaboration of minds and talents. Now it feels so wonderful to see the women of Payatas creating these beautiful works of art! I had to leave the launch early but I am sure that the collection sold very well. The rest of you must visit the ARANAZ stores in Greenbelt 5 and in Rockwell – there maybe some stock left. The collection is very limited, so come as soon as possible!

: The beautiful and talented Amina Aranaz-Alunan! Thank you, sweetie, for your giving heart!

: This macrame bag is called LAMBAT, the perfect beach tote! I can see every chic gal carrying it in Bora, Bohol and Cebu!

: I loved the concept of the presentation for the launch. Amina, who owns and teaches at the fashion school called SOFA, had the students create lovely “paper” dresses as a perfect foil for the bags!

: I love this bag called the MARIA ROSA!

: A detail shot of the Maria Rosa tote. The rosettes are just so adorable! Can anyone imagine that this used to be scrap and trash?

: I found the perfect summer bag and it’s called APLAYA! This just made me almost scream with delight! The colors are just to die for!

: Amina invited established Filipino fashion designers to participate in the launch. This was created by Dong Omaga-Diaz.

: This amazing dress was done by my dear friend Jojie Lloren. It’s made from newspaper! However, he fused it and sewed the paper like it was a dress! The bag is also soooooo chic!

: A close up of the limited rosette bag with a mother of pearl handle!

: This dress was done by a student of SOFA. The clutch is called Maria Rosa and there are only 12 available.

: Dong Omaga-Diaz with his creation!

: Amina with the entire R2R and Aranaz team! I am so envious that I did not get a pink Aranaz t-shirt. I want one! LOL!

: A fantastic tableau on how kindness and eco-chic can blend together and spell FABULOUS!

: This clutch is really special! I adore the composition of the mother of pearl and the rosettes.

: More stunning styles!

: The soul behind R2R: Brother XAVI!

: More colors of the APLAYA!

: I like the color of this bag!

: Come and get it!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Tags: bags, charity, eco-chic, Fashion Insider, friends, r2r, rags 2 riches, rajo laurel, riir
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »

RIIR= Rags 2 Riches!

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Last Saturday I was witness to a super blessed event! It was the one year anniversary party of Rags2Riches. More than a year ago I was invited to dinner by my good friend Ange Benavides, I did not know that this dinner would create a change in me and in many ways make a better person. In that dinner were a group of young men and women dedicated to change the lives of the people in Payatas.

Payatas is one of the poorest communities in Metro Manila, this is where you find the infamous smokey mountain. They asked me how I could improve the rags that they were making? The minute I saw the
rags images of fashionable accessories flashed in my mind, I call it my light bulb or AHA moment ( I am a true disciple of Oprah. LOL!) ! I started folding the bags and showing them my ideas. I took the rags to my studio the next day and by evening I had the first prototypes. I showed it to the board and then asked if I could meet with the people doing this so I can teach them. They responded very well to the project and the rest as they say is history!

From 20 nanays when we started,we now have 300 nanays in the project ! The Rags2Riches project has won several international awards, you can read them all in our website rags2riches.com

To celebrate our one year anniversary, we invited famous artists to create limited edition bags that we auctioned! We had National Artist BenCab do an original painting on the bag. Anita Magsaysay-Ho
who is a very respected artist gave us permission to reproduce her paintings and had these plastered on our bags as well. My good friend Raymund Isaac showed his savvy and style by creating uber fashionable versions of the bags. Stylist to the stars Jenny Epperson together with her gorgeous daughter created a fun and chic collection that elicited many oohs and aahhs! I also did 5 limited editions pieces that reflected my design aesthetic.

The BenCab bag! This bag fetched a whopping P360,000.00!!!!

Check this out! Super limited edition Anita Magsaysay-Ho bags that were all sold out in the first hour of the evening!

Another version of the Anita Magsaysay-Ho bags: there were only three produced!

The Jenni Epperson collection! Love the graphic details designed by her talented daughter Arianna.

The mabuhay Shopingera bag, by Jenni Epperson!

This is my Bag, inspired by Malachites and sliced agates.

This is my full collection! the price ranged from P3,000.00 to P7,000.00 ( well-priced no?)

This is the collection of Raymund Isaac! I loved his fringed inspirations, very '20s!

The evening was a huge success! We would have not been able to achieve this without the help of the Intercontinental hotel who provided the Bahia and the super yummy food and wine! We also had Bombay gin as a sponsor (making everyone loosen there purse strings more LOL!). Cream silk was also there to lend a huge hand. A huge thanks to Saga, specifically Robbie Carmona he created the beautiful space and made sure that it was spectacular! Finally to my angel Tessa! She hosted the event and raised….well a lot of money…. a few thousand shy of 1 million pesos!

My real life Angel! Tessa Valdes, she hosted that evening.

Raymund with his Mom. She was the inspiration behind the collection! A lovely lady indeed!

Me with Ate Cynthia, she was the first "Nanay" I taught to do our bags!

Bro Javi, he is the president of Rags2Riches!

Sisters? Naks! Jenni and Ariana Epperson, talent really runs through the family!

My gals! Malu and Leica!

Cris Badiola! Who won the coveted BenCab bag!

Mandy, with my Malachite clutch which she won in the silent auction!

The fur trim doubles as a fetish tool! LOL!

Tessa with the Eppersons: she was gaga over the bags!

Family Santos in full force! Thank you for the support!

The entire Rags2Rices family! LOVE YOU ALL!

I experienced a really blessed event! Proving that by doing good intentions the circle of goodness just gets bigger and bigger!

See you soon!
HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: charity, events, fashion, Fashion Insider, r2r, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 7 Comments »

BenCab for R2R!

Friday, November 14th, 2008

This is going to be exciting! I have this special outreach project with the women of Payatas and it’s called “Rags 2 Riches” or R2R. I help them in creating fashionable bags and accessories from scrap
fabric. The venture has been so positive that the project has won several awards, and from a group of 20 Nanay’s it has grown to 300. You can check out our website at www.rags2riches.ph

On Nov 22 we will be having a celebration of goodness at the Hotel Intercon starting at 6pm. We invited several artists and designers to enhance and create very special items for our auction. Most noteworthy are
National artist BenCab and Anita Magsaysay-HO. Other fantastic artists who have unselfishly lent their time and talents are Top photographer Raymund Isaac, Super stylist Jenni Epperson and me!