The pink carpet was finally rolled out for the much-awaited Philippine Cancer Society’s annual Best-Dressed Women of the Philippines Awards Ball held at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-la The Fort in Bonifacio Global City on September 27, 2023.
The plush venue was packed to the rim with illustrious men and women from Metro Manila’s high society who were all resplendently dressed-up for the evening’s august occasion. Now on its 20th year, the Philippines’ Best-Dressed Women Awards is the brainchild of Honorary Consul to Angola Helen Ong, foremost fundraiser of the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).
For two decades now, Consul Helen has helped raise hundreds of millions of funds through its Best-Dressed Women of the Philippines Awards Ball, greatly benefitting indigent cancer patients. It’s during this event when Manila’s perfumed set gather to contribute immensely to what is considered by many as the most successful and prestigious fundraiser in Manila.
One of the 2023 awardees on that glittering and dazzling night was beauteous Illongga Virma Yasa-Apostol of lloilo City. She joined nine other selected women of style, stature and substance from different parts of the country in receiving the distinctive award. Each awardee was grandly presented on stage one at a time, after which she walked the long pink ramp in her favorite gown to receive the golden statue award.
Virma was stunning in a pink Amir Sali gown. To date, Virma is the eighth awardee from lloilo City to be cited by the PCS. Previous recipients were Susan Caperonce-Florete (2006), Faith Ocampo-Clero (2008), Marissa Florete-Gorriceta (2008), Allana Lopez Montelibano (2009), Joy Gengos-Onglatco (2011), Shiella Marie Golez-Tiongco (2016) and Darlene Ardeña-Go (2018).
Upon receiving the award, Virma heartily thanked PCS for recognizing a spirited, proud Ilongga through the highly-coveted award.
“It is indeed an honor and privilege; yet I am humbled and grateful to be in the company of distinguished and highly benevolent women in Philippine society who have received this award since the award-giving ceremony started 20 years ago. Thank you with all my heart for including me in the esteemed roster. I am a proud Ilongga from the City of Love and a cradle of a gracious Hispanic heritage, lloilo.” (Joe Marie Agriam)
