In celebration of Bantay Kalikasan's 20th anniversary, the last intricate art pieces of renowned designer Wynn Wynn Ong were exhibited and auctioned at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila for Metro Society’s first-ever KaLIKHAsan Ball last Saturday (November 10).
The designer’s friends and some of Manila’s distinguished art patrons—Bea Zobel Jr., Carla and Joel Del Prado, Fernando and Kit Zobel, Fred and Ina Ayala, Joanna Preysler-Francisco and Raul Francisco, Karen Davila, Lulu Tan Gan, Marianna Vargas-Morada, Mia Borromeo, Marc Nelson, Pops Fernandez, and more—graced the event, coming in stunning Filipinianas and dapper barongs.
The event also hosted beautiful performances by the UST Singing Ambassadors, Erik Santos, Jona, and Ogie Alcasid.
The KaLIKHAsan Ball opened with a stirring performance by the ballet professional Sofia Zobel-Elizalde’s Steps Dance Studio – Steps Dance Project and RAMA – which then led guests to a more felt experience of Wynn Wynn’s “Sa Dagat At Bundok” collection, her legacy collection before she retires.
Eye-catching art installations included the “Newly-Discovered Fruit-Eating Bayawaks of the Cordilleras,” the remarkable “Huli,” the intriguing “Negosyo,” the gilded “Philippine Hornbill,” the luring “Kwento ni Syokoy,” and the captivating “Malakas at Maganda & Manananggal.” Each item is inspired by creatures of the sea and mountains and brought to life, designed with specific gems in mind, and crafted entirely by hand.
Metro Society presented the Vanguard of the Sea award to Akiko Thomson, a world class Filipina Olympian who is also working to save our vast marine ecosystem, the Steward of Urban Oasis was awarded to USEC Marlo Mendoza, while the Earth Warrior Award was honored to Wynn Wynn in celebration of her “Sa Dagat at Bundok” Collection.
The KaLIKHAsan Ball is for the benefit of Bantay Kalikasan’s continuing campaign for the environment and the socio-economic upliftment of communities through eco-tourism and agriculture. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abscbnpr.com.