In a night famed for glamour, the GMA Gala 2025 doubled as a glowing spotlight on homegrown Filipino fashion talent. This isn’t just about celebrities wearing beautiful gowns—it’s about the enduring legacy of our local dressmaking traditions, brought to the red carpet through vision, craft, and cultural pride.
The artistry on display this year was more than skin-deep: each bead, stitch, and drape told a story of where we’ve come from and where Filipino fashion is headed.
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The Roots of Philippine Dressmaking
Before the glitter of the Gala, there’s the quiet hum of sewing machines, the scent of pressed fabric, and the meticulous work of skilled hands. The Philippines has a long-standing couture tradition, anchored in regional hubs known for their craft:
1. Pandi, Bulacan – A historic center for gown-making, especially for weddings and formal events. Here, workshops often pass techniques down generations, producing elaborate beadwork and embroidery that rival global couture.
2. Lumban, Laguna – Renowned for hand-embroidered barong and delicate piña fabric work, with artisans creating intricate patterns entirely by hand.
3. Taal, Batangas – Home to the finest handwoven fabrics and heritage embroidery, with the famous “burdang Taal” (Taal embroidery) still done in family homes.
4. Pampanga – A modern couture powerhouse thanks to designers like Mak Tumang, blending theatrical silhouettes with Pampanga’s flair for meticulous craftsmanship.
These places form the beating heart of Filipino fashion, bridging the gap between traditional craft and modern red-carpet glam. Below are some of the standout celebrities from the GMA Gala 2025 who championed locally made creations:
1. Sculptural & Dramatic: Mak Tumang
Seen on: Carla Abellana, Charlie Fleming, Mika Salamanca
Design Type: Extravagant, couture-level ball gowns bursting with volume and drama
Mak Tumang, based in Pampanga, is celebrated for his elaborate craftsmanship and theatrical silhouettes. His atelier bridges provincial technique with global pageant-ready grandeur.
2. Modern Femininity: Diane Vania Romoff
Seen on: Cassy Legaspi
Design Type: Soft Ivory gown—structured yet delicate, architectural in balance
Romoff’s pieces highlight how minimalism and precision can still speak volumes. Her technique reflects modern Filipino tailoring: elegant, intentional, and rooted in fine workmanship.
3. Tailored Refinement: Neric Beltran
Seen on: Ruru Madrid (light peach metallic suit)
Design Type: Sleek, sash-belted blazer—melding romance with clean tailoring
Beltran’s designs consistently blend masculine tailoring with couture finesse, often using artisan finishes. His work nods to provincial craftsmanship while being decidedly cosmopolitan.
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4. Ethereal Heritage: Jerome Lorico
Seen on: Bianca Umali
Design Type: Two-piece ensemble: cropped capiz top and woven skirt
Lorico’s use of native materials, such as capiz shells, showcases Filipino identity through elevated design. Each piece is a conversation between ancestral materials and modern silhouette.
5. Romantic Silhouettes: Rian Fernandez
Seen on: Shuvee Etrata, Ruffa Gutierrez, Annette Gozon Valdes
Design Type: Full-glam gowns, often floral-inspired, rich in volume and beading
Fernandez’s gowns command presence and drama. His studio is known for pushing the craftsmanship envelope, often involving intricate beadwork similar to provincial embroidery traditions.
6. Couture Drama & Structure: Cheetah Rivera
Seen on: Gabbi Garcia, Winwyn Marquez
Design Type: Bold ballgowns and Edwardian-inspired looks with feathery details and strong waistlines
Rivera taps into Filipino fashion’s flair for drama and theatricality. Her designs are show-stoppers in the truest sense—crafted for spectacle while rooted in local design sensibilities.
Filipino Craftmanship
The GMA Gala 2025 wasn’t just a showcase of celebrity fashion—it was a celebration of Philippine craftsmanship.
From the ateliers of Pandi to the embroidery tables of Lumban, the artistry in every gown and suit reminded us that Filipino couture isn’t just keeping up with the world—it’s redefining it.
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