"Moms on the ramp"
Sun.Star Davao, May 24, 2008

During the recent Mother’s Day celebration, SM City Davao staged a fabulous fashion show dubbed as “Moms on the Ramp” featuring eleven outstanding moms and their adorable kids held at the mall’s Events Center.

“Beauty with substance was the primary characteristic we looked for with the
model moms we invited. We highlighted their importance as mothers and at the
same time, their other achievements while juggling family life with
career”, shares Russel Alaba, Group Brand Manager for SM Supermalls VISMIN.

He says it was essential for the participants to also have
wonderful personalities which encompass the nature of femininity and the
real essence of womanhood through motherhood.

The stunning model moms were Joan Marie “Joey” Domingo, 105.9 Mix FM station manager and Southern Style executive producer; Rochelle Venutti, professional singer and proprietress of Prego Café; Rona Naidas, Karl’s Koffee Korner owner; Isabelle “Ice” Valderrama, professional model, interior design student, accessory designer and events organizer; Doden de Vera, Gallery J proprietor: Dr. Ida Yap-Patron, dean of Tertiary Education, School of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao; Rossa Charissa “Chari” Gavino, founder and school director of Center for Brighter Beginnings; Ma. Lourdes Socorro Medina-Estanislao, Iluminada Farms, Inc. comptroller and Hijos de Davao vice president; Dinah Goño, print and commercial model, Mutya ng Kalikasan 2000 and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Davao 1st runner-up; Ma. Emerald Gross-Singson, managing assistant to artist-husband, Chad Borja and Grosswoods Enterprises proprietor; and dynamic lawyer and mother of 2, Susan Cariaga.

Russel reveals it was not entirely easy convincing most of the first-time model moms to be part of the show as there were several rehearsals plus fittings which were quite time-consuming.

However, upon learning that multi-awarded designer Emi Ingles of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao was choreographing the show, the moms got excited. They also looked forward to the ‘glamor shots’ session at Lito Sy Photo Studio with their kids.

Other sponsors for the event included Maldita, Mags Closet Boutique, X-quisite and SM Department Store.

Aside from the fashion show, SM City Davao organized “Treats for Moms”, these are fun mommy-related activities such as On the Spot Mom Painting Contest, On the Spot Mom Photo Session, Mom’s Wall of Greetings and a free beauty mommy make-over.

“For Mother's Day, we wanted to convey the message that the celebration was a tribute to all the special and selfless mothers in the city. No pressures, no worries,
but plain fun and excitement which we believe we fully accomplished”, ends Russel.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.