Wearing designer finery from the likes of Rajo Laurel, Mark Bumgarner and Avel Bacudio, among others, children afflicted with the big C betrayed none of the hardships they have suffered. Instead of pain and despair, they strutted the runway armed with pure joy and innocence. And guests responded, donating a total of P19 million to the foundation’s efforts to help fund the children’s cancer ward and bone marrow transplant center at the Philippine General Hospital.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, as young “cancer warriors,” many still sporting wigs to make up for their missing hair due most probably to the effects of chemotherapy, gamely strutted the runway and struck poses last September 15 at the Shangri-La Fort’s grand ballroom in creations by designers Rajo Laurel, Mark Bumgarner, Martin Bautista, Andrea Tetangco and Avel Bacudio.
Members of the audience couldn’t help but marvel and smile at the children’s positive outlook despite having suffered from a debilitating and life-threatening disease at such a young age. There wasn’t a trace of the hardship each of them has been through and continues to go through. Instead of pain and despair, pure joy and innocence were written on their faces as they happily braved the spotlight. One girl even walked the runway in crutches, earning cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd.
