A Celebration of Heritage ~ D' Durian Daily

THEY hogged the limelight when they walked the red carpet. Like debutantes in their gowns designed by couturiers of their choice, they were presented to a ballroom filled with hijos and hijas of Davao.

Eight gowns of Hijos de Davao muses on exhibit at the Marco Polo lobby

Eight of these gowns are on display at the lobby of the Marco Polo Davao. It’s reliving the past for these ladies and the members of the Hijos de Davao who witnessed those moments.

Seen this piece before but still amazes me when I gaze at the details. Rica Dakudao's 1996 gown by Rene Salud

In Marco Polo Davao’s “A Celebration of Heritage at the Heart of Davao,” a few on the long list of muses had their ball gowns exhibited at the hotel lobby. Amy Diano loaned hers, a daintily embellished gown she wore in 1979 designed by Alfonso Guinoo.

HIjos de Davao 1979 muse & current Vice President of the foundation, Amy Diano, by the Alfonso Guinoo gown she wore.

“I never realized my waistline was this tiny,” said the former muse who iscurrent Vice-President of the Hijos de Davao Foundation.

The Marco Polo hosted exhibition presents a bigger picture— the socio-civic organization’s aim to preserve Davao’s rich heritage and encourage the younger generation to actively take part in fulfilling its objectives. Vincent Garcia, newly elected Hijos president and former 2nd-District Congressman, said, “We have always been in the forefront in promoting and preserving heritage, culture and fellowship among Dabawenyos for the past 51 years. We are truly honored to make this hotel our official venue for events which promote our vision and advocacies. On behalf of our organization, we would like to thank Marco Polo Davao for hosting this event.”

Preservers & promoters of Davao heritage & tourism. Patricia Porras-de Jesus, DOT ASec Art Boncato, MPD DOSM Pearl Maclang, HIjos de Davao President Vince Garcia & MPD MarCom Manager Josef Ledesma

Formally opening the exhibition were the Hijos De Davao Board Members, Amy Diano and Jackie Dizon, and Marco Polo Davao’s Heads-of-Department, Dottie Wurglur-Cronin and Francis Ledesma.

Marco Polo & HIjos de Davao FOundation officials officially opening the exhibit.

“When we were thinking of a good way to end our ad campaign entitled The Heart of Davao, we decided to host a cocktail event for the city’s old families. After all, they have been fully supportive of our hotel since it was constructed in 1998. It is time to give back and dedicate a meaningful event just for them,” shared Dottie Würgler-Cronin, General Manager of Marco Polo Davao.

Hijas de Davao with the even host. Fe Dacudao, Lilian Abella, Gene Barlis, MPD GM Dottie Wurglur-Cronin Dinggay Sasin & Bong Alba

At the Polo Bistro bedecked in red roses, wine flowed and so did the hors d'oeuvres. As if the evening wasn’t festive enough, Marco Polo Davao generously raffled off free room accommodations in Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotels, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu and Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

My favorite station in the cocktail set-up.

Extending a more worthy cause, the hotel featured a collection of Philippine Eagle stuffed toys in Mindanaoan wardrobes designed by the city’s rising designers. Marco Polo Davao is one the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s ardent supporters.

The Philippine Eagles in Mindanao fashion. Get this cuddly pair at the Marco Polo Davao. Make perfect gifts anytime plus you help save our National Bird from extinction.

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[For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/]

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 18, 2015.

Seen at the celebration: