Filipino nurses walk the runway for cancer research, awareness

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (center) and Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon Jr. (first row, rightmost) welcome renowned Filipino fashion designers and FACC officers and volunteers at the Philippine Embassy. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—The Filipino-American Cancer Care (FACC) Inc. recently held “Runway for a Cure,” a fashion show featuring the work of renowned Filipino designers at the Marriott Fairview Park hotel in Falls Church, Virginia, to support cancer research, awareness and survivors.

The models included nurses belonging to the Philippine Nurses Association of New York and New Jersey.

FACC, the first Fil-Am cancer care organization in the DC, Maryland and Virginia Metropolitan area, aims to inspire action among individuals, the health community and governments to increase cancer awareness and access to early detection, screening and diagnosis.

“The FACC’s unwavering dedication to raising awareness and providing assistance to those battling this formidable opponent is truly inspirational,” Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. said in his speech at the event last week.

“Your presence here tonight, in response to FACC’s call to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, exemplifies the bayanihan spirit within the Filipino diaspora.”

Model Janet Coker wears what fashion designer Carl Andrada has described as a “tribal Maria Clara” dress made from Igorot fabric and embellished with hand-beaded rhinestones, crystal and wood fringes and feathers. It was part of Andrada’s Filipiniana collection that was showcased at the FACC fundraising gala. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The participating fashion designers included Los Angeles-based Carl Andrada, Edwin Uy, Jhay Layson and Kiel Ortega. The show was directed by Buboi Asuncion of MGI Production.

“This cause is very close to my heart,” said Andrada, whose mother, Thelma Escubio Andrada, lost her battle with cancer 10 years ago. “I’m happy to dedicate my work to helping cancer survivors.” Andrada presented his Filipiniana collection featuring Filipino fabrics aruga, binakol, yakan and musa.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez and Ascalon Jr. welcomed the fashion designers and FACC officers and volunteers at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, also last week, to mark the close of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Fashion designers and models – including Filipino nurses – participate in “Runway for a Cure” to support cancer research and awareness. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The FACC was founded by Josie Moralidad Ziman, a cancer survivor who authored “The Filipino American Journey,” a compilation of inspirational stories about Fil-Ams who triumphed over adversity.