A look at Michael Leyva’s 10th on 10.10

On celebrating a decade iin the fashion industry this month, designer Michael Leyva could not contain his emotion. "(I am) super, super happy. Super, super, super grabeng experience! I'm so thankful that it happened finally tonight."

Leyva marked his 10-year journey in the fashion industry with a grand runway presentation on 10 October 2022. The show, dubbed "Hiraya: Isang Dekada ng Aming Pagmamahal at Pangarap," was held at the National Museum of the Philippiner.

"Hiraya" is a Filipino term meaning the "fruit of one's hopes, dreams, and aspirations," and that's what the show was all about.

The show began with Michael looking back at the past decade of his life. He reminisced about the challenges he faced throughout the process, from his early struggles as a novice designer to the times when inspiration was scarce. He also recalled the many achievements in his life — all of which he acknowledged he owed to his family, friends and clients, and, of course, his late brother.

Erik Santos gave an inspiring performance of "This is the Moment." Leading the style fest that's about to be revealed on the runway was Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach looking like a goddess in Michael's gilded garb.

What followed was an array of white couture pieces with dresses with elaborate boning details and sculptural suits. Soon after, his jewel-toned creations with fringe details, delicate floral embellishments, and brushstroke design elements paraded on the runway.

In one of the top moments of the night, TV host Vice Ganda emerged from the elevator of the museum's Tree of Life wearing a white wedding dress complete with a chapel-length train and a romantic veil. The style fantasy continued with a series of pastel ball gowns, glimmering ensembles, and dramatic garbs so immaculate everyone was moved to give the pieces rounds of applause.

For the finale, actress Anne Curtis wore Brian's Filipiniana design made of five-centavo coins, the piece he presented at the Young Designer's Competition in 2006. The stunning show ended with singer Regine Velasquez-Alcasid giving an empowering performance of "I Believe."

"Hiraya: Isang Dekada ng Aming Pagmamahal at Pangarap" was witnessed by Manila's most stylish crop. One of the evening's special guests was Atty. Liza Araneta-Marcos, the First Lady of the Philippines.

Asked about the armor creation done by his late brother, Brian, Michael told Daily Tribune, "This night also is a tribute to him for all the things that he had done for the people. He's my angel. He's always there beside me. So, para rin sa kanya to (this is also for him).

"Naisip ko na this time, it should be a dedication to my brother. Sa kanya naman nagsimula lahat talaga (I really though this time, this should be dedicated to my brother. He was the one who started it all for me, really)."

He said, "At first, I was hesitant to do it because I had no idea of what fashion was all about. I didn't know how to draw, talk to clients, or choose fabrics. The only thing that I had at that time was the courage that I could do it with the guidance of my brother. I know that behind everything that's happening to me right now, there's one angel up above guiding me all throughout."

After 10 years, Michael is looking forward to expanding his stage to the international scene. "Future plans? Hopefully, the international scene. I want to see Michael Leyva in Paris, in LA, in New York!"

His advice? "Hard work is the key. It is very important that you love what you're doing because you'll never get tired of it."