When the maiden edition of the Philippine Fashion Circle Awards rolled out on Monday at Okada Manila, it officially succeeded in becoming the first major event in the local couture scene since the world was ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. At the venue, arranged theater style to accommodate a long and very much missed runway, both guests and honorees could hardly believe they were watching not just one but three sets of fashion shows in the flesh.

As mid-afternoon evolved into early evening, that familiar, upbeat in catwalk music got louder and louder, with the stage lights shining brighter and brighter to spotlight the ever-present and compelling talent of the Filipino fashion designer.