Goldcraft & Fashion International, Inc.

THE FILIPINA FASHION DESIGNER OF THE 21ST CENTURY

By: Henrietta S. M. Rosana

Cora Manimbo's Filipiniana creations, while being modeled down the ramp in many fashion shows in the Philippines as well as abroad, never fail to stun the audience. Behind all those glam and glitter is Cora Manimbo.

It was only 1997 when she started designing Filipiniana dresses - upon request by clients - local and foreign. Soon enough. her splendid creations themselves have built her prestigious image as Filipiniana fashion designer par excellence. Even without the benefits of neither publicity nor advertising, but only through sheer word of mouth, she became the designer of fashion-conscious but discriminating women from different sectors of society: the Philippine Congress, government, NGOs, business and diplomatic circles. Truly, her directory of clientele is legendary.

The endorsements alone by satisfied foreign diplomats easily spread Cora Manimbo's trademarks around the world. Her clientele has rapidly grown not only in Asia, but also in America, Europe and the Middle East. She has made dresses for royalties like princes and princesses in Mindanao and other Asian countries. She has also made gowns for some Saudi Arabian princesses who want their saris fully embroidered by hand or by machine.

Thus she became in demand in fashion shows: In 2001, she opened the Asian Ladies Association General Membership Meeting during the term of Consul General Edwin Bael.

She was the opening number at the kick-off ceremonies of the Independence Day celebration of Philippine Tourism held in Culver City in Los Angeles, California.

She was the featured designer at Bagay Sa Iyo Fashion Show at the Marriot Hotel in Newark, New Jersey in 2002 organized by Philippine Consulate in New Jersey or Federation of Philippine Societies of New Jersey.

She was also a part of Marikina trade mission of the opening of the Filipino Convention Center in Honolulu Hawaii in 2002.

She was doubly featured in WOW Marikina in 2003-2004 for fashion, shoes and accessories.

She recently did a full-length Muslim Fashion in August 2004 as a grand finale for Wow Lanao Del Norte in Intramuros.

She was the featured designer at the Filipino-American Educational Conference held at Clarion Hotel in San Francisco, California, USA last November 2004

Last March 16, 2005, she was also a part of the Character Building Foundation's fund-raising concert cum Fashion show, CEO Sings. . . Timeless Music.

Cora Manimbo's fashion is timeless. For making Philippine products shine in the global market, Cora Manimbo is commanded not only back home in the Philippines but also abroad. In fact, she has been invited to the 10th Uliran Awards in Los Angeles, California that will be held in July 2005.

It seems Cora Manimbo's life is a la dolce vita throughout. Could it be too good to be true that she never encountered any setbacks along life's highway? "My life has ups and down, too," she reveals. "In fact, I had been a fire victim twice. But I rebuild every time my shop was razed by fire. I had been swindled, too. But I have cultivated the habit by rising every time I fall. I love my job so much, and I don't get tired of hoping and dreaming. I just do my best with all my heart in everything I do."

That amazing resiliency, plus her innate diligence and unconditional generosity are Cora Manimbo's wonderful traits shining like gems in the garland that crowns her as the unsinkable Filipina Fashion Designer of the 21st Century.