Top models at the Islamic Fashion Festival in the Intercontinental Manila led by Malaysian Tourism Minister Yen and Ambassador Saad (inset).
Photos by Joey Pavia
MAKATI CITY – The Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) at the Intercontinental Manila here recently showcased creations of designers based in three countries but its mission is to promote modesty and the “gentle spirit of Islam.”
Malaysian Tourism Minister Dato’ Sri Ng Yen Yen and Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, led the IFF Charity Gala Dinner on Thursday night attended by former President Fidel Ramos.
The Malaysian Tourism Luxury Gala Lunch on Friday was graced by Cebu Pacific Air Vice President for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog and AirAsia-Philippines CEO Marianne Hontiveros.
In her speech, Yen announced that their country with some 28 million people had received at least 24.7 million foreign tourists in 2011, ranking 9th among all countries in the world in terms of the number of annual foreign visitors.
She also represented Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister of Malaysia and patron of the IFF.
Yen said they are aiming to have 36 million tourists bringing in US$1-billion in tourism receipts weekly in 2020.
She urged tourists to shop at “your heart’s content” as the Malaysian government last January had declared “duty free” to all its products.
Describing Malaysia as a country with “great diversity,” Yen said they offer “glorious food.”
For his part, Saad said “Islam appreciates all beauty and it is modest.” He stressed that the IFF was launched to remove the notion that Islam is associated with “violence” following the so-called 9/11 (September 11, 2011) in which commercial planes were hijacked and used by suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists to kill about 3,000 people in the USA.
The IFF was also held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, London in England, Jakarta in Indonesia, New York in the USA, Monte Carlo in Monaco, Astana in Kazakhstan and Singapore.
The designers are Milo Migliavacca of Bali in Indonesia, Melinda Looi, Syaiful Baharim, Tom and Abang Saufi of Kuala Lumpur, JC Buendia, Jun Escario and Veejay Floresca of Manila.
The Allianze University College of Medical Sciences, Museo Pambata, Philippine Public Safety College and Viranie Foundation Inc. benefited from the IFF charity dinner. The organizers in Manila were led by former Tarlac Gov. Margarita Cojuangco.
Andrea Manzano, 2nd AVP sales of Star Cruises based in Pasay City, disclosed that the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific Region had donated 50,000 US dollars to the IFF.
“The IFF is highly successful. It’s a great way to promote culture and fashion,” said Manzano, stressing that the Star Cruises’ SuperStar Virgo based in Singapore had made Mallacca and Penang in Malaysia as their priority destinations.
The Tourism Malaysia, major sponsor of the IFF , also invited the Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP) led by Gilda Padua since major airlines are poised to offer new or add flights to Malaysia via the Clark International Airport.
Raja Rezza Shah, founder and chairman of the IFF, expressed delight for staging of the fashion show “for the very first time in Manila.”
He announced that the IFF will have its debut this year in Bali, Paris in France and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. It will be held for the second time in London and Abu Dhabi.
