On its fourth season, the Marriott Moments A-Fair is up for a major calibration. This year’s edition will introduce the concept of a “Luxuriant Expo,” which denotes luxe plus bountiful, that promises a one-of-a-kind exposition. From weddings to events, to fashion and arts, everything that’s wonderful about life will converge at one massive venue — the MGBX Exhibition Hall of Manila Marriott Hotel.
This year ushers a tripartite partnership with renowned brands in hospitality, weddings and special events, with the Marriot Bonvoy, the most reputable hospitality and lifestyle program in the world; Themes & Motifs, the leading bridal fair organizer in the Philippines since 2001; and the dynamic Spotlight Couronne Internationale (SCI) from Canada.
The milestone event, “Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo and the 9th Annual Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week (CIFAW),” is a gathering of the best weddings and events suppliers, and a showcase of the works of imported and exported world-class fashion designers and visual artists at the “inclusive venue” MGBX Exhibition Hall in the Marriott Grand Ballroom, the grandest hotel-based MICE facility in the country today, serving as their official home.
The A-Fair has gained traction as a showcase of the best in Filipino creativity. CIFAW, meanwhile, is a global celebration of fashion as well as a platform for networking, education and talks about trends, inclusivity and the future of the fashion industry. Both platforms for fashion aim to encourage and showcase creativity, innovation, and collaboration among designers, stylists, models, photographers, and journalists.
The 9th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week will introduce a first — Philippine Fashion Weekend — and will be held at the Manila Marriott Hotel on July 26 and July 27, 2025. With the theme, “Home,” the ninth CIFAW aims to inspire every Filipino to take pride in their roots and in the place we call home — the Philippines.
“Manila, we are coming ‘home,’” declared CIFAW CEO/President Limuel Hayag Vilela and COO/Chief Creative Director Alvin Masangkay Francia. “Masarap bumalik sa tahanan na humubog sa’yo bilang tao at ibahagi ang tagumpay ng iyong pakikipagsapalaran at paglalakbay! We’re coming home!”
GOING “GLOCAL”
A unique celebration of “glocal” fashion and arts, global and local creative talents will congregate at the “Luxuriant Expo,” with the Manila Marriott Hotel serving as a world-class backdrop.
“Marriott International, a company that has the clear vision of bringing the world together by connecting people through the power of travel by providing a portfolio of the best global hospitality brands, by being in more places with 550 hotels in over 60 countries and territories, including the Philippines, around the globe, and by having in place a dependable lifestyle program, the Marriott Bonvoy. Over the past two years Marriott International has significantly grown its presence in the country, currently with 10 hotels bringing in six of its over 30 hospitality brands to the Philippine shores, namely, Marriott, Sheraton, The Westin, Courtyard, Four Points, Fairfield and soon AC Hotel and JW Marriott,” Area General Manager for the Philippines of Marriott International Bruce Winton wistfully says.
Area Director of Sales and Distribution for the Philippines of Marriott International Lala Quilantang underscores the hotel’s MICE-readiness:
“The Marriott Grand Ballroom remains to be the largest pillarless ballroom in the Philippines, while the MGBX Exhibition Hall fulfills its promise of providing the quadrants of one of the major segments of the tourism industry, the M-I-C-E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) with our very own convention space. It is a 3,800-sq.m. exhibition space located at Level B1 of the Marriott Grand Ballroom. The X in MGBX connotes collaboration and partnership, and is an inclusive space which can unite individuals, groups and industries.”
“Luxuriant Expo” prides itself in being an inclusive event, being a hotel-based expo that is open to all other local and international hospitality brands. This is Marriott’s way of showing support to the thriving wedding and events, and hospitality industries, as the hotel continues to find opportunities to pave the way to more winning moments for everyone.
THE FEATURED DESIGNERS
SCI PH
SCI PH was founded by Filipino-Canadians Limuel Vilela, president and CEO, executive producer/designer/director and former model; and COO/chief creative director Alvin Masangkay Francia, an aviation expert and educator. “We truly believe that dreams are meant to come true. They aren’t just far-off ideas, they’re the seeds of what’s possible when we have vision, take action, and never give up. For us, dreaming big isn’t just about imagining, it’s about creating a life where those dreams become our reality,” Vilela said.
Today, the duo not only produce CIFAW but also Calgary Kids Fashion Week, Edmonton Kids Fashion Week, and Winnipeg Kids Fashion Week. In 2023, their brand SCI PH (New York and Paris) participated in the “Fashion Forte” series of producer/designer Nardie Presa at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
JOHN ABLAZA
John Ablaza is a graduate of a horticulture degree at De La Salle Araneta University. He transitioned to interior decoration in 1982 when he landed a job in Taipei, Taiwan as a florist and decorator for Asiaworld Plaza Hotel, owned by Filipino Tycoon Tan Yu.
In 1987, the ever-artistic John flew back to the Philippines and launched his career in fashion designing. From the 1980s to the 1990s he presented shows in the Philippines and overseas. His creations have been featured in fashion publications such as Mod, Women’s, Woman’s Home Journal, Women Today, Miscellaneous Magazine and countless glossy international magazines.
In 1994, he once again worked out of the country as an in-house designer of Ahla Al Wasayef, a couture shop patronized by the royal families of Bahrain. In 2004, John started designing bags and accessories which he exported to France, Spain, Greece, Maldives, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the United States.
He returned to the Philippines in 2010 after a five-year residency in Canada and United States. He authored Ramp Diva: Filipina, a 300-page coffee-table book chronicling the lives of top Filipina models over a period of five decades.
He recently launched his collection of miniature couture gowns, all handmade and mounted in a 23-inch mannequin, and called them Le Petite Couture. It was displayed in a curated exhibit at the Amar Estate in New York in May 2017 during his 30th Anniversary celebration in the fashion industry.
ODELON SIMPAO
Mentored by the internationally awarded designers Frederick Peralta and Jojie Lloren early in his career, Odelon Simpao has since carved a name for himself in the cutthroat world of local fashion, all the while winning championships as an accomplished crossfit athlete.
His inspirations come from a rich tapestry of experiences — travels, emotions, and surroundings all fueling his creativity. Having dressed celebrities such as Marian Rivera, Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez, Jed Madela, and Mark Bautista, he is leaving his mark in the fashion industry.
KENNY LADAGA
A thriving fashion designer who has gained significant recognition and success in the fashion industry, Kenny Ladaga is known for his innovative designs, unique style, and ability to set trends. He is skilled in both creativity and business, understanding market demands while pushing boundaries with bold and artistic concepts.
He was the Moda Mindanao Grand 2012 grand winner and a Philippine Fashion Circle 2022 awardee. Kenny was a featured designer at Miss Universe 2016 Mindanao Tapestry show in Davao, Habi Mindanao fashion show in New York in 2017, Canadian Asian Fashion Week 2019 and CIFAW 2022.
AUREA VINLUAN
A dedicated woman in all aspects of life — business, love, family, and friendship, Aurea is determined to turn her dreams into reality through hard work and passion. In fashion, she strives to expand her knowledge by meeting new people, as she believes connections create opportunities. A fast learner with a growth mindset, she is committed to continuously developing her skills in the fashion industry every day.
Aurea has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing from the SOFA Design Institute, and was a dean’s lister and consistent honors student.
As the founder of Aurea Vinluan Designs, she has a passion for creating diverse clothing styles, including ready-to-wear, gowns, and suits. She is enthusiastic about connecting with people, sharing industry knowledge, and engaging in business discussions to foster growth and innovation.
MALIYAH ABENIR
Maliyah is a Filipino-Canadian fashion designer. She was born in the Philippines and migrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her family when she was 10 years old. In 11th grade, Maliyah entered Ann Howell’s art class at Bishop McNally. Ann Howell became instrumental in laying out a path for Maliyah’s creativity, through seamstress lessons, donation of materials and even the culmination of her first runway show at school.
Her flagship brand, Averynthe, was first showcased at the Western Canada Fashion Week in 2013. It was featured in Italian and UK Vogue for the first time in 2016. Despite the success of her brand’s first three years, Maliyah felt it was imperative to her brand to increase her knowledge base with additional education. She enrolled at George Brown in 2017-2019. Her first fashion show after graduation was Fashion Art Toronto. Followed by a true homecoming at the Western Canada Fashion Week.
Maliyah has decided to return to her original brand with a new clearer vision. 2025 will see the rebirth of Averynthe as a high-end streetwear design with Southeast Asian influence. Following her passion for creating structural garments made from denim and conscientious awareness of fashion’s implications on the environment as she moves her brand forward: “Designed by Filipino, Made in Canada.”
JAKI PEÑALOSA
A fashion designer for more than 25 years. An advocate of Philippine hand-woven fabrics. A supporter of local arts and crafts. The current president of the Designers Guild of Iloilo, a nonprofit organization composed of fashion designers all over the city that aims to promote Iloilo as the center of Fashion and the Arts for Western Visayas. In March 2025, she headlined the roster of featured fashion designers at Marry Me at Marriott Iloilo City held at the Iloilo Grand Ballroom of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo. In 2026, she will be featured at the 10th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week that will be held in Canada.
The Iloilo-based designer of modern Filipiniana fashion and advocate of the use of Philippine indigenous fibers and fabrics continues to showcase her intricate Filipiniana designs all over the world. She is always exploring the possibility of holding fashion events that will promote Philippine craftsmanship and fashion artistry.
For more information about Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo, please contact: Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, 2 Resorts Drive, Newport World Resorts, NCR – 4th District, Barangay 183, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines; 28988-9999; MarriottHotelManila@marriott.com and www.manilamarriott.com; Themes & Motifs Bridal Fairs and Special Events Expo through https://themesmotifs.com, +63917-522-0707; and Calgary International Fashion & Arts Week via info@scimodels.ca and http://www.scimodels.ca/.
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