By Angeli Sta. Maria-Escano
Angeli is a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center and has been a lifelong writer and storyteller. She has recently taken up photography as her latest medium to convey her stories, with the hopes of specializing in fine art portraiture photography. She and her husband moved to Canada in 2018.
On Remembrance Day, the whole of Canada looks back and give thanks to the veterans who gave their all for the freedoms we enjoy, or even take for granted today. On Saturday, November the 9th of 2019, a fashion show was held at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Stony Plain Road, Edmonton. The event aimed to raise funds for soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD. The Poppies with Purpose Fashion Gala 2019 was the first of an annual series of shows to support troops in need of aid for their much-needed therapies and treatments after suffering as part of their service to the country. The show was conceptualized, organized and brought to life by Antonia Mohamed, chef and founder of Hummingbird Bakery and owner of Hummingbird Events Edmonton. A Red Seal pastry chef by trade, Ms. Mohamed has also been a fashion model for three years. She has been volunteering for quite some time and working with the Southern Alberta Lighthorse Regimental Association (SALHRA), to which 100% of proceeds from ticket sales, vendor sales and donations will be given.
The event featured nine local designers, showcasing 11 select outfits each. These distinguished designers included KNOW Mexico Canada, EAV Boutique, LUX Mrkt Menswear, Esperanza by Doris Hans, Drakon designz, Olinchi Nayaa, KYN Appearal, Ephram De Medici, Peach Blue and Shkatell. These designers volunteered their time and designs for the show. Among the numerous talents wearing the gorgeous apparel and accessories were four Filipina models. Blogger and Model Ms. Ella Trowsdale, Model Ms. Kaye Dalalo, Model Ms. Psalm Doyaoen, and Model Ms. Kim Anacleto all wowed the crowd in the various designs they walked out in.
Four independent Filipino photographers were to be found in the Photographer’s pit of the event. Grin Cadorna of Image Art Galore (Instagram: @image_art_galore_78), Jonathan Mamaril of JCM Images (Instagram: @_jcmimages_), Angeli Sta. Maria of Angeli Sta. Maria-Escano Photography (Instagram: @angelise_photography), and Ariane Hazel Latade of Creative Captures by Ariane (Instagram:
@creativecapturesbyariane) were 4 out of the 7 shooters at the end of the runway ready to capture the amazing images.
All these Filipino volunteers are immigrants or products of immigration, and they donated their time and talent for those who gave life and limb for the freedoms Canada—the country they now call home—enjoys today. The event still has a page on Facebook where you can contact the organizer if you would like to send after-event donations for the SALHRA and view the images from the show.
Kim Anacleto for Drakin Designz
Psalm Doyaoen for Peach Blue
Ella Trowsdale for EAV Boutique
Kaye Dalalo for KNOW Mexico
From the photographer’s pit: Back Row L-R: Jonathan Mamaril, Emily Zhang, Alex Frost and Grin Cadorna. Front Row L-R: Ariane Latade and Angeli Sta. Maria-Escano. Not in photo: Cesar Cebreros
