| Manny Punzalan Elmhurst, New York An Exciting Young Couturier |
Emmanuel T. Punzalan is the gentleman whose creative works
are the subject of microscopic scrutiny and appreciation of his
works in the extremely volatile field of fashion, especially haute
couture, in a relatively short period of time is seemingly enough to
last him a lifetime. As a young man, he dabbled in fine arts
pursuing its rudiments in the company of illustrious artists who
honed his artistic mind in the University of Santo Tomas in Manila,
but as fate would destine it, wandered and found his true vocation
in fashion designing and executing. Fresh from his formal training
from the Dominican institution of learning, he set out to further
sharpen his ideas in the realm of fashion with further trainings in
Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong finally attending and receiving his
advance certificate from Traphagan Institute of Fashion in
Manhattan.
A recipient of multiple fashion awards from social and civic groups
in Manila, Washington, D.C./Baltimore area and New York City,
Manny, has had several fashion shows (in most of which he
received standing ovation) credited to his name most notable of
which are the following: ETNIKA 1978-79 Gala Fashion Show, at
the Convention Center, Manila, Philippines; Magandang
Filipina1985, Filipiniana Collections, Congressional Hall,
are the subject of microscopic scrutiny and appreciation of his
works in the extremely volatile field of fashion, especially haute
couture, in a relatively short period of time is seemingly enough to
last him a lifetime. As a young man, he dabbled in fine arts
pursuing its rudiments in the company of illustrious artists who
honed his artistic mind in the University of Santo Tomas in Manila,
but as fate would destine it, wandered and found his true vocation
in fashion designing and executing. Fresh from his formal training
from the Dominican institution of learning, he set out to further
sharpen his ideas in the realm of fashion with further trainings in
Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong finally attending and receiving his
advance certificate from Traphagan Institute of Fashion in
Manhattan.
A recipient of multiple fashion awards from social and civic groups
in Manila, Washington, D.C./Baltimore area and New York City,
Manny, has had several fashion shows (in most of which he
received standing ovation) credited to his name most notable of
which are the following: ETNIKA 1978-79 Gala Fashion Show, at
the Convention Center, Manila, Philippines; Magandang
Filipina1985, Filipiniana Collections, Congressional Hall,
Washington D.C. (sponsored by the wives of Filipino-American Diplomates); Gala Fashion Spring
Collections 1984, Sheraton Hotel, Washington D.C. (sponsored by combined International Filipino-American
Association of Maryland); Macy's Fashion Show 1986, Fund-raising Project of the Woman's Auixiliary of St.
Agnes Hospital of Baltimore, MD; and Disco Summer Collections in conjunction with the "Search for the
Calendar Girls of the Filipiniana Faces 1988", at 10-18 Disco Palace, New York City; Gala Fashion Collection
October 1988 at the Grand Ballroom of New York Hilton (sponsored by NY Manila Lions Club); Holiday
Fashion Collection 1989 at the Marriott Ballroom Hotel in NY (sponsored by Shaklee Inc,); Bahaghari-Fiesta in
the Philppine Cultural Fashion Collection 1989 at St. Mary’s Auditorium, Jersey City (sponsored by Filipino
Catholic Action Group); Evolution of Philippine Terno “Kasootan” 1989 Command Performance by Mrs. Nina
Garcia, wife of Consul General Garcia of New York Consulate.
Not surprisingly, his creations have won him plaudits from discerning critics during the past years as
evidenced by the following awards: “Best Gown Competition” in the Binibining Filipinas-U.S.A. June 1988;
“Best Long Gown Competition” in the Miss International U.S.A. 1988; “Best Gown Competition” in the Miss
Philippines-America 1988; Miss Philippine Canada-U.S.A. September 1989 “Best Long Gown” in Vancouver,
B.C; Miss Philipines America Pageant, August 1989 “Best Gown Competition” Virginia Beach, Virginia, and
most recently, Miss Philippines-U.S.A. June 1990 “Best in Gown Competition” at the Sheraton Center Hotel in
New York (second time winner!)
While still in the Philippines, he had the rare opportunity of designing and executing the formal gowns of many
a wife foreign diplomats, government officials, society figures and even visiting dignitaries. Of late his gowns,
impressive all, have graced the personae beauties in the Northeastern Seaboard of the United States,
namely: Misses Philippines of 1984-1985-1986 in Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Fe Patalinghug, First Mrs.
Philippines-Nation's Capital (Washington, D.C.) 1986; Miss Young Philippines-U.S.A. 1986; Mrs. Philippines-
Nation's Capital 1987, Aida Fanugao; Mrs. Philippines-Nation's Capital 1985, Lydia Caja; Miss Maria Clara of
New York 1988, Grace Garcia; Miss Philippines-U.S.A. 1988, Mary Jane Ressa; Mrs. Philippines-U.S.A. 1988,
Belen S. Gonzales; Miss Greenups NY 1988, Lucalie Dumaguing; Miss Bicolandias 1989, Verica Pascual;
Mrs. Philippines-USA 1989 coronation gown of Helen Vintigan; Miss Pearl of the Orient 1990, Nerrisa Palad;
Miss Philippines-USA 1990, coronation gown of Gilda Bautista; and the coronation gown of Miss New Jersey
1990, Estela Dumapit.
He is currently a fashion consultant to the “Le Classique Couture Showroom” in Virginia Beach and to the
“Filipino Social Club of New York” and a costume consultant to the Philippine Dance Company.
In the Philippines, Manny was instrumental in founding the “Congrecacion del Santisimo Nombre del Nino
Jesus.” Manny avidly collects rare early 19th century religious arts.
Collections 1984, Sheraton Hotel, Washington D.C. (sponsored by combined International Filipino-American
Association of Maryland); Macy's Fashion Show 1986, Fund-raising Project of the Woman's Auixiliary of St.
Agnes Hospital of Baltimore, MD; and Disco Summer Collections in conjunction with the "Search for the
Calendar Girls of the Filipiniana Faces 1988", at 10-18 Disco Palace, New York City; Gala Fashion Collection
October 1988 at the Grand Ballroom of New York Hilton (sponsored by NY Manila Lions Club); Holiday
Fashion Collection 1989 at the Marriott Ballroom Hotel in NY (sponsored by Shaklee Inc,); Bahaghari-Fiesta in
the Philppine Cultural Fashion Collection 1989 at St. Mary’s Auditorium, Jersey City (sponsored by Filipino
Catholic Action Group); Evolution of Philippine Terno “Kasootan” 1989 Command Performance by Mrs. Nina
Garcia, wife of Consul General Garcia of New York Consulate.
Not surprisingly, his creations have won him plaudits from discerning critics during the past years as
evidenced by the following awards: “Best Gown Competition” in the Binibining Filipinas-U.S.A. June 1988;
“Best Long Gown Competition” in the Miss International U.S.A. 1988; “Best Gown Competition” in the Miss
Philippines-America 1988; Miss Philippine Canada-U.S.A. September 1989 “Best Long Gown” in Vancouver,
B.C; Miss Philipines America Pageant, August 1989 “Best Gown Competition” Virginia Beach, Virginia, and
most recently, Miss Philippines-U.S.A. June 1990 “Best in Gown Competition” at the Sheraton Center Hotel in
New York (second time winner!)
While still in the Philippines, he had the rare opportunity of designing and executing the formal gowns of many
a wife foreign diplomats, government officials, society figures and even visiting dignitaries. Of late his gowns,
impressive all, have graced the personae beauties in the Northeastern Seaboard of the United States,
namely: Misses Philippines of 1984-1985-1986 in Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Fe Patalinghug, First Mrs.
Philippines-Nation's Capital (Washington, D.C.) 1986; Miss Young Philippines-U.S.A. 1986; Mrs. Philippines-
Nation's Capital 1987, Aida Fanugao; Mrs. Philippines-Nation's Capital 1985, Lydia Caja; Miss Maria Clara of
New York 1988, Grace Garcia; Miss Philippines-U.S.A. 1988, Mary Jane Ressa; Mrs. Philippines-U.S.A. 1988,
Belen S. Gonzales; Miss Greenups NY 1988, Lucalie Dumaguing; Miss Bicolandias 1989, Verica Pascual;
Mrs. Philippines-USA 1989 coronation gown of Helen Vintigan; Miss Pearl of the Orient 1990, Nerrisa Palad;
Miss Philippines-USA 1990, coronation gown of Gilda Bautista; and the coronation gown of Miss New Jersey
1990, Estela Dumapit.
He is currently a fashion consultant to the “Le Classique Couture Showroom” in Virginia Beach and to the
“Filipino Social Club of New York” and a costume consultant to the Philippine Dance Company.
In the Philippines, Manny was instrumental in founding the “Congrecacion del Santisimo Nombre del Nino
Jesus.” Manny avidly collects rare early 19th century religious arts.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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