The style icons

This week, take a look at The Style Icons of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines 2021.

The ladies on the list are fashionable and stylish, but more than that, they are renowned for their varied contributions to society. Their support for the Philippine Cancer Society is unwavering and exemplary; no wonder they deserve more than a mere mention in the coffee table book, The Best Dressed Women of the Philippines.

The ladies featured in the book have been active in Philippine social, cultural, business and philanthropic circles so the mere mention of their names elicits approval, respect and admiration.

Cristina Galang-Caedo was the first Miss Philippines selected in the first Philippine International Fair in 1952. She attended Georgian University in New Jersey and Fordham University in New York. She became a university professor and a bridal consultant in a top department store. By the 1980s, she was known to be busy with various socio-cultural activities.

Virginia Lane was awarded by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce as 2019’s Woman of the Year. Her philanthropic work has extended to various charitable undertakings especially during the pandemic.

Olga Severino Martel, a magna cum laude graduate from St. Theresa’s College, was president of the Alliance Francaise from 1983 to 1987. She was president of the Friends of the Cultural Center of the Philippines from 1991 to 1993, president of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) from 2000 to 2014 and president of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Foundation from 2008 to 2010. She is now the president of the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines.

Joyce Peñas Pilarsky is the ultimate artist — a painter, sculptor, singer, actor, producer, writer, model and designer. She was first runner-up in Britain’s Top Designer Competition and the grand prize winner of the Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition. She became the Most Outstanding Filipino Artist in Germany.

Joy Wambangco Rustia is first and foremost a mother. She is a mentor to her own children to whom she imparts life’s lessons. As a wife, she puts high premium on being honest and supportive. She counts among her top accomplishments her success in business, raising a healthy and happy family, and growing side by side with her husband.

 

Milo Bondoc is an animal lover. In her garden, you will find peacocks, doves, African chickens, turkeys and ducks roaming around. Together with her husband, she collects paintings, heirloom plates and antiques. She is a director of the Benedictine International School  which uses the Systems Thinking tools and habits in its curriculum.

Yoli Ayson  is a socio-civic leader who has served as chairperson of the Friends for the Cultural Concerns of the Philippines, director of the Inner Wheel Club of Manila and international director of the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo.