Twenty-five designers from all over Mindanao showed the many ways indigenous heritage can find its way to modern fashion at Habi Kadayawan 2019.
Held at Ayala Malls Abreeza on August 9, Habi Kadayawan 2019 is the third installment of the annual heritage design competition launched by the Kadayawan Festival Executive Committee and the Davao Fashion Design Council in 2017. Previously limited to fashion accessories and open only to Davao Region-based designers, this year, Habi Kadayawan widened its scope to feature a luxe apparel category and welcome applicants from all over Mindanao. Aspiring contestants were tasked to design pieces inspired by the 11 indigenous tribes of Davao, many of which trace their roots to other corners of Mindanao.
Over a hundred applicants tried their luck this year, from which 10 were announced as finalists in the Luxe Apparel category and five each competed in the Fashion Accessory Professional, Hobbyist, and Student categories. Out of the 25 finalists, 10 hailed from Davao City, with the rest coming from Pagadian City, Cagayan de Oro City, South Cotabato, Butuan City, Digos City, General Santos City, Isulan, Davao de Oro, Marawi City, Surigao del Sur, Mlang, and Kidapawan City.
Taking the top honors for Luxe Apparel were Mark Pabon of South Cotabato as Grand Winner, also named Philippine Airlines Colors of Kadayawan special awardee; Shine Casiño of Cagayan de Oro City as first runner-up; and Jun Artajo of Davao City as second runner-up. Pabon went home with P150,000 in cash, while Casiño and Artajo received P75,000 and P50,000, respectively.
For the Fashion Accessory categories, emerging as Grand Winners were Stephen Azarcon of Surigao del Sur (Student category), Dennis Almoroto of Davao City (Hobbyist category), and Patrick Gabutina of Cagayan de Oro City (Professional category). Each brought home a cash prize of P100,000.
All four Grand Winners get the opportunity to showcase in Manila FAME in October along with the Davao Fashion Design Council. Furthermore, their creations are now on display throughout August at the Fashion & Art Commune at Abreeza’s GF Hallway near H&M.
Esteemed personalities in fashion and lifestyle filled Habi Kadayawan’s panel of judges this year. Judges for the Fashion Accessory categories were accessory designers Adante Leyesa and Ann Ong and lifestyle writer and supporter of the arts Mons Romulo. Meanwhile, serving as judges for Luxe Apparel were fashion designers Ito Curata and JC Buendia, as well as Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director and former Preview Magazine editor-in-chief Pauline Suaco-Juan.
Habi Kadayawan 2019 also honored last year’s winners—Rhyan Orillo (Student category), Kaye Fanlo (Hobbyist category), and Carmaela Alcantara of Crystal Seas (Professional Category)—with a parade of their winning accessories and current collections.
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