MAKATI CITY—The Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) held recently at a top hotel here recently showcased creations of designers based in three countries but its mission was to promote modesty and the “gentle spirit of Islam.”
Malaysian Tourism Minister Dato Sri Ng Yen Yen and Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, led the IFF charity gala dinner held last week. Former President Fidel Ramos attended the event.
The Malaysian Tourism Luxury Gala Lunch held the next day, Feb. 24, was graced by Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific Air; and AirAsia-Philippines CEO Marianne Hontiveros.
In her speech, Yen said their country of 28 million people received 24.7 million foreign tourists in 2011, ranking ninth among all countries in the world in terms of the number of foreign visitors. She also represented Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister and patron of the IFF.
Yen said they aimed to have 36 million tourists bringing in US$1 billion in tourism receipts weekly in 2020.
She asked tourists to shop at “your heart’s content” as the Malaysian government last January declared all its products “duty free.”
Describing Malaysia as a country with “great diversity,” Yen said they also offer “glorious food.”
Saad said, “Islam appreciates all beauty and it is modest.”
He said the IFF was started to neutralize the notion that Islam is associated with “violence” following the 9/11 (September 11, 2011) tragedy when domestic American commercial planes were hijacked and used by suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists to attack targets in the US mainland, killing about 3,000 people.
The IFF fashion show was also held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; London, England; Jakarta, Indonesia; New York; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Astana, Kazakhstan; and Singapore. The designers are Milo Migliavacca of Bali, Indonesia; Melinda Looi, Syaiful Baharim, Tom and Abang Saufi of Kuala Lumpur; and 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, said the organizers in Manila led by former Tarlac Gov. Margarita Cojuangco.
Andrea Manzano, second AVP sales of Star Cruises based in Pasay City, said the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific Region had donated $50,000 to the IFF.
“The IFF is highly successful. It’s a great way to promote culture and fashion,” said Manzano, saying 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, invited the Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP) led by Gilda Padua as 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 said 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.
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Source: Business Mirror
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