JC Buendia Named Featured Designer of Red Charity Gala; Filipino Fashion Exhibit Opens; Midas Flagship Store Debuts at SM North EDSA
Key Takeaways
- •Couturier JC Buendia was named featured designer of the 14th Red Charity Gala, scheduled for Oct. 3 at The Peninsula Manila, with funds raised for the Assumption HS 81 Foundation, the Hope for Lupus Foundation, and the Philippine Red Cross.
- •Buendia's 2026 Gala collection will explore effortless glamour through Asian-inspired silhouettes that prioritize comfort in formal evening wear.
- •The NCCA and the Metropolitan Theater opened the free exhibit 'Saplot ng Entablado: Kasuotang Pilipino sa Sining, Tanghalan, at Pamana,' curated by Rommel Padillo Serrano, running Sept. 1-30 at the Metropolitan Theater Gallery.
- •Midas Bags, Shoes, Leather Repair and Restoration opened its largest flagship store to date at SM North EDSA Carpark Plaza, becoming the brand's 11th location nationwide since 2012.
- •The Midas expansion reflects steady demand in the Philippines and Southeast Asia since 2023 for repair services that extend the life of higher-value goods.
JC Buendia is Red Charity Gala's featured designer
The Red Charity Gala has officially named celebrated couturier JC Buendia as its featured designer for this year's event, which takes place on Oct. 3 at The Peninsula Manila.
Now in its 14th edition, the Red Charity Gala — organized by philanthropists Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga — continues its mission of raising funds for the Assumption HS 81 Foundation, the Hope for Lupus Foundation, and the Philippine Red Cross.
Since its launch in 2009, the gala has showcased collections from some of the Philippines' most acclaimed designers, including Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren, Lesley Mobo, Chito Vijandre, Joey Samson, Rajo Laurel, Ivarluski Aseron, Lulu Tan-Gan, and Rhett Eala. The featured-designer slot has in this way become a running record of contemporary Philippine couture, with each edition built around a single name.
This year, the spotlight turns to Mr. Buendia, whose work is recognized for understated luxury, architectural tailoring, and a refined interpretation of the modern Filipiniana. For the 2026 Gala, he presents a collection built around a single question: Can glamour also be effortless?
"The idea was born from years of seeing women navigate countless formal occasions in exquisite yet restrictive gowns," Mr. Buendia explained. For him, many of those garments often demanded discomfort in the name of elegance. "This time, I'll be reimagining evening wear through Asian-inspired silhouettes that celebrate rather than confine the body."
For inquiries, contact Maggie Gineta at 0917-832-5570. Follow the Red Charity Gala on Instagram at @redcharitygala for updates.
Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino exhibit at the Metropolitan Theater
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Metropolitan Theater launched an exhibit, Saplot ng Entablado: Kasuotang Pilipino sa Sining, Tanghalan, at Pamana, on Sept. 1 at the Metropolitan Theater Gallery, in celebration of Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino 2026.
The exhibition brings together Filipino attire seen across different stages, productions, periods, and artistic settings, offering visitors a look at how clothing has helped shape the characters and identities portrayed in Philippine theater and the performing arts. Hosting it at the Metropolitan Theater is itself part of the story: the historic Manila venue, first opened in 1931 and restored before its reopening to the public in 2021, has long been a central stage for the performing arts the exhibit documents.
Observed every third week of September, Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino recognizes the role of Filipino attire in fostering pride in Filipino identity and promoting appreciation of the country's cultural heritage.
Curated by Rommel Padillo Serrano, the exhibit features various styles of Filipiniana and Barong worn in different productions and eras. It traces changes in design and presentation while highlighting the elements that continue to connect contemporary clothing with traditional Filipino fashion.
The exhibit runs from Sept. 1 to 30, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater Gallery in Luneta, Manila. Admission is free.
Midas Leather Repair opens at SM North EDSA
Midas Bags, Shoes, Leather Repair and Restoration opened its flagship store at the SM North EDSA Carpark Plaza last month. The outlet is the largest to date for Midas, which restores handbags, footwear, and leather goods — work that ranges from sole replacement and hardware repair to full color restoration on luxury pieces.
Midas has been in business since 2012 and operates 10 branches nationwide. Repair and restoration services have drawn steady demand in the Philippine retail market as consumers extend the life of higher-value goods rather than replace them — a shift that retailers across Southeast Asia have reported since 2023. The new flagship marks the brand's 11th location and its largest footprint yet, a signal of how that demand is shaping its expansion.
Midas is positioning the flagship store as both a service counter and a walk-in consultation point, with assessments done on site. Midas SM North is now open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
