The Philippine Cultural Foundation Inc. of Tampa, Fla. showcased two of the Philippines’ leading fashion designers Sunday, Aug. 9, in a fashion show titled “Estilo Pilipino.”
“Estilo Pilipino” translates to “Philippine style” in English and refers to a distinctive Filipino way of life and cultural expression.
Richard Papa, a Philippine couture and ready-to-wear designer, is known for Filipiniana creations that blend traditional Filipino garments with contemporary design elements. Active in the Philippine fashion industry since 1989, he has created couture and ready-to-wear collections for department stores.
Papa studied fashion design and pattern making at the Premier Fashion Art School and Filipino costume making at the Cultural Center of the Philippines under the late National Artist Badong Bernal.
He previously served as vice president of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines. His work includes Filipiniana gowns, ternos, Maria Clara styles, barong Tagalog and ethnic-inspired outfits, often incorporating jusi fabric and intricate beadwork.
Papa has represented Philippine fashion internationally, including at the “Estilo Pilipino” fashion show in Tampa. His collections are noted for their elegance and vibrant use of color.
Edgar San Diego, a Filipino fashion designer and visual artist, is known for blending Filipiniana themes, vivid colors and cultural symbolism in hand-painted gowns and acrylic paintings.
San Diego graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a fine arts degree specializing in advertising. He began his career hand-painting formal wear for Filipino designers, gaining early exposure to fashion design and production.
Over more than 40 years, San Diego has created Filipiniana gowns, including Maria Clara tops, baro’t saya ensembles and wedding attire. His work often features delicate floral hand-painting, a style that gained popularity during the 1980s.
His paintings explore nationalism and Philippine heritage, often depicting Filipina women in vintage attire set against idyllic or historical scenes. His colorful compositions have been influenced by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.
In 2021, San Diego mounted his first solo art exhibit, “Baro’t Saya, Tuwa at Ligaya (Tribute of Joy to the Filipina and Her Traditional Dress Amidst the Pandemic),” at Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall. The exhibit featured 40 acrylic and mixed-media works, including installations incorporating some of his hand-painted gowns.
“Estilo Pilipino” was another project led by PCFI Cultural Affairs Director Nhick Ramiro-Pacis, continuing the organization’s efforts to preserve and promote Philippine culture, traditions, dances, music and fashion.
Guest models included contestants in Miss FILAM Florida 2026, participants in the recent Fiesta Mo Sa USA in Kissimmee, members of the Philippine Performing Arts Company of Tampa, Musikong Kawayan-Bamboo Ensemble, the Philippine Choral Group and members of the Filipino community in Florida.
The show was produced with donations from PCFI officers and board members, as well as the Sampaguita Ladies Society. Singer and performer Raffy Bleu, who also modeled in the show, performed during the event.
Joey Omila, a veteran Filipino community leader, is one of the founders of the Philippine Cultural Foundation Inc. He is also the founding director and choreographer of the Philippine Performing Arts Company. Omila was nominated as one of the distinguished honorees for the annual “Simply the Best” People of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. (Republished with permission from Mr. Omila.)
