(From left) Boy Villasanta, Clemencia Masaganda Valena and Erick Valena (Photo Credit: Erick Valena); Facade of Erick Valena's fashion house in Lopez, Quezon (Photo Credit: Erick Valena): (From left) Erick Valena, Lopez, Quezon Councilor Ari Yumul, Isabelita Erandio Valena, Albert Figueras and Clemencia Masaganda Valena (Photo Credit: Erick Valena)

Erick Valena’s fashion homecoming in the countryside

Young fashion designer Erick Valena hits the nail right on its head.

When the thrust of the national government and the private sectors is to bring arts and culture closer to the grassroots, Erick finally bids adieu to the big city’s complex behavior and its businesses’ cutthroat competition to try and settle in the rural setting bringing with him his sartorial design adapted to its modes of production and lifestyle.

From his Makati City atelier, Valena now moved to the country of Lopez town in Quezon Province.

“I would like to explore the promises of community fashion in a provincial landscape. I would like to try new things here in Lopez to suit the demands of the rural market.

“I would like to mix indigeneity and innovativeness in fashion so a municipality like Lopez is a good place to experiment,” said Erick in an interview at the soft launch of his Erick Valena fashion den along Maharlika Highway, formerly Real Street corner General Vicente Yngente Road, formerly Calle Anda in Lopez.

The event was supported by the huge kin of Erick, his friends that included Sangguniang Bayan number one councilor Ari Yumul.

Ace haute couture Albert Figueras was around—travelling six hours from Manila—to lend stellar support to his friend and protege.

National entertainment journalist Art Tapalla and former movie scribe, now blogger Leo Paul Caliwara, also known as Lollipop, was present to cover the event.

Manny Pangaruy, a revered member of the Society of Film Reviewers, was also around to witness Erick’s historic launch.

It was a timely occasion when the Year of the Wooden Snake had commenced that everyone was in red. (Boy Villasanta)

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