10-07-2025
Remembering Pitoy Moreno—The Metropolitan Museum's tribute to a fashion icon
A highlight of the evening was a special segment featuring artists who were once recipients of Moreno's scholarships at the University of the Philippines. The M invited them to create works inspired by his fashion. The artists, including Issay Rodriguez, Carlito Camahalan Amalla and Digo Acuzar presented pieces in the museum's foyer which are available for purchase in support of The M's programmes.
The night culminated in a musical performance by the UP Manila Choir, whose a cappella rendition of 1970s Manila Sound classics concluded with Bongga Ka 'Day , a fitting tribute to Moreno—himself referenced in the song as a symbol of glamour.
The gala celebrated not only Pitoy Moreno's extraordinary body of work and artistry but also his enduring influence on generations of designers and his commitment to elevating Philippine culture on the global stage.
See also: Filipino-British actor Claire-Marie Hall on 'Operation Mincemeat' and the joy of performing
'Pitoy often said that true beauty lives not only in design, but in how we connect with one another. Through your presence, support, and stories, you've proven that true,' shared Magsaysay-Ho.
The gala also launched The M Museum's new membership programme, which grants year-long complimentary access for members and their guests. Proceeds from the event will support the museum's educational initiatives, exhibitions and cultural preservation efforts, enabling the team to continue the promotion, preservation and betterment of Philippine arts and culture.
The success of Remembering Pitoy was made possible through the support of institutional partners, including the Jusi & Pina Foundation, BPI, Lexus and Tatler, among others.
In celebrating Moreno, The M not only honoured a national treasure, but reaffirmed its role as a guardian of Philippine heritage—fashioned not just from fabric, but from memory, meaning and shared identity. His legacy is not only stitched into the gowns he created but also tightly woven into the many lives he touched and the causes he championed.
