RIYADH, 21 December 2003 — With the blessings of the Philippine Embassy, a newly formed group of Filipino professionals working and living in the capital and duly registered under the name S. E. Production (SEP) recently unveiled its initial venture — “Habi: Couture Filipina 2004.”
“Habi,” which literally means “weave” in Filipino, is a fashion design and catwalk-modeling competition to be mounted as a benefit gala on Feb. 19, 2004 at the Liwasang Bonifacio of the Philippine Embassy — Diplomatic Quarter.
Proceeds from the show have been earmarked for C-GMA, (a.k.a. “Classroom, Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad”), a government project that aims to build 10,000 classrooms for public elementary and high schools in priority areas nationwide from August 2003 to June 2004.
“Habi is an effort not only to highlight the creativity of fellow OFWs in the field of couture and modeling via a very entertaining presentation. But most importantly this hopefully will enable our group to lend a hand in making our Philippine schools a most conducive place for millions of our children, many of whom go through the ordeal of attending classes under the camachile tree or in dilapidated structures especially in far-flung sitios and barangays of the archipelago,” said Luis Ganchero, chief executive officer of S. E. Production.
Other officers of SEP who have been gung ho toward the success of their humanitarian project are Erwin Serrano, Omar Ibba, Larry Landrito, Rannie Basanta, Maritess Caceres, Jeff Banaga, Dindo Marcelo, Ron Jacobe, Ian Mancilla and Aleksandr Torres. Adviser is Omar Guinomla of the embassy.
The C-GMA project is spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
As envisioned, contributions from overseas Filipinos would fund the cost of labor, building materials and other incidental expenses. Donations are deposited in a trust account of the DOLE, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Education.
The beauty of the project, as many OFWs have noted, is that the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FCCCI), a civic organization of Filipino Chinese businessmen, will manage the construction of classrooms in priority areas to ensure that every peso donated would be well spent.
Labor Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas had earlier said the Department of Public Works and Highways, known as one of the most corrupt agencies in the Philippines, had been kept out of the project because it could not come up with a building model that would cost less. The building model being used was drawn up by the FCCCI.
SE Productions, one of the first groups in the Kingdom to respond to the Philippine classroom building program, is inviting other OFWs to support Habi and be part of the the classroom building project.
For aspiring couturiers and catwalk models as well as interested sponsors and donors, inquiries about “Habi” and C-GMA may be coursed through Luis Ganchero (053-210927), Erwin Serrano (052-917108), Rannie Basanta (053-647186), or Larry Landrito (057-449174).
Personality development and acting workshops are held on Fridays prior to the February finals.