The Manila X festival set a milestone last year as the biggest festival in the country to combine music, fashion and some of the most beautiful people in local showbiz in one solid event.
Music has always had an influence on contemporary fashion, and it’s a different experience when live acts accompany a full-blown fashion show featuring the brightest stars. Following last year’s success, Manila X Festival 2017 showcased some of the country’s most sought-after musical acts and DJs.
Leading the roster of performers at this year’s event, held May 27 at the Globe Circuit Grounds in Makati, were Bamboo, Franco, KZ Tandingan, Bret Jackson and James Reid.
Kiana Valenciano, who released her first single last December, graced the Manila X ramp again this year with a powerhouse performance reminiscent of her father’s energetic stage presence. Her boyfriend, Sam Concepcion, helped bring the house down with former child star turned DJ Tom Taus.
Hp-hop band Tukar Sinati, rock act Saydie, millennial pop-rock act The Juans and sultry soul siren Jess Connelly infused different flavors of music into the evening’s festivities.
Rapper Curtis Smith, who drew the ire of netizens for a video he posted and recently caught the attention of world-famous billionaire Richard Branson at a leadership forum, delivered his personal brand of hip-hop while models strut to the beat.
DJs Patty Tiu, Ron Poe and Carlo Atendido gave the audience plenty of tunes to dance to; while A-Team showed off their groove on stage. Australian singer-songwriter and YouTube sensation William Singe graced the occasion to the pleasure of his Filipino fans.
These artists and their music brought a different dimension to the fashion showcases prepared by movers and shakers in the local fashion industry, made more spectacular with the participation of muses from Pinoy showbiz.
Among those who were seen on the catwalk were Jane Oineza, Khalil Ramos, Zeus Collins, Andrea Brillantes, Lauren Reid and Sue Ramirez and model Kelley Day, a deadringer for Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 winner Katarina Rodriguez.
Spotted in the party crowd were Nadine Lustre, Filipino-Spanish actor and model Gil Cuerva, award-winning theater actor Jef Flores, YouTube personality Donnalyn Bartolome and actress Sherilyn Reyes-Tan with husband Chris Tan.