When it was known as Bagumbayan and Luneta, the historic area now known as Rizal Park was the center of social activity and the place to be, the happening place in Manila. 

“The word pasyal in Filipino actually comes from the Spanish word pasear, which means to stroll, to promenade, to take a walk. So. for generations this park has been a stage for fashion, a place to be seen, a place where style comes alive,” said Gaius Apelar, the deputy executive director of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).

At the opening of “Styling History: Fashion at the Park by Lito Perez,” a fashion showcase by the veteran designer held on 31 August at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium, Apelar also reminded the audience that our style is a reflection of our resilience and our ability to beautifully blend different influences into something uniquely our own, something uniquely Filipino.

“Tonight, we celebrate the rich tapestry of Filipino style and history. We celebrate the creativity of the past and the inspiration it gives us today. We are reminded that fashion is a powerful way to express who we are and what we believe in,” Apelar added. 

“I have insisted on concentrating my ethos on the Filipino costume. The national dress of the Philippines is a very vibrant and living national dress which keeps on evolving, borrowing from external fashions but retaining its inherent Filipino flavor,” explained Perez. “I believe it’s an evolving creature making itself relevant to the times as necessity dictates. I love the historicity and elegance of the terno and the traje de mestiza. ‘Styling History’ is my outlet in showing my ideas to my audience that our national dress is not boring.” 

Fascination with Filipino history

The project was conceptualized by Perez’s granddaughter, Danielle Perez, and her former teacher. Paul John del Rosario Hernandez, who works at Rizal Park as a tour guide and is a well-known vlogger with his vlog The Traveling Salakot. 

Hernandez revealed that “Styling History” serves as a soft launch for the NPDC’s initiative for tourists to be able to rent and wear traditional Filipino clothing for a full cultural appreciation during their visit, much like what is offered in Thailand, South Korea and Japan.