Dress to Address: The Awakening Horrors of FAFFF 2024
Upon entering the Ignacio B. Gimenez Theater of UP Diliman on the third run of the Fashion Against Fascism and Fossil Fuels (FAFFF), the scene that welcomed my eyes caught me awestruck. Shades of green, yellow, and red lights surrounded the smoke-filled dark room, with eerie music ringing in my ears. On that Friday the 13th, I bore witness to the commemoration of such unfortunate climate horrors under the Marcos presidency.
9:00 PM
Hearing the national anthem—the familiar melody of which I’ve heard countless times—on this September day—sent chills down my spine. I knew that Director Karl Castro was bound to surprise me, and knowing what this event was about gave me high hopes for the experience. True enough, when the lights shifted blue, the bass-heavy music strung my mind. The flashing lights blinded my sight just when the performers graced the stage.
By 9:00 PM, I was enveloped by the sound of strings, the bright view, and the deep-rooted notions laid bare upon me. The creativity of it all barely made sense in the invitation. I accepted for the mere reason of cause, but, at that time, it was clear to me that it was more than cause. The means of fashion has always been available, though was usually associated with privileged tinge. Now, I venture a new perception, where fashion meets advocacy.
9:55 PM
Just 55 minutes passed by and years of oppression and dictatorship was sewn into the viewers’ minds. An impressive amount of topics were tackled: tree planting as green washing, insufficient response to climate vulnerability, persistent political and economic interest in fossil fuels, lack of just transition framework, selling national patrimony and biodiversity, and, then and now, fascism vs. environmental defenders.
It started with DJ TEEGEE’s change of rhythm from upbeat to rhythmic. Emotions of terror filled the room as people with faces painted green strutting their outfits exhibited exaggerated expressions. Then, the second topic transitioned the setting into feeling lost in agony. Their smokey eyes, black and gray swirls on cheeks, and walking limp while out of breath took “vulnerability” by example. The live violin of Jing Jorge set the tone for the next act. Serena Magiliw, trapped in a fishnet, danced wearing their mussel earrings. They moved as if they were breathless, unable to escape—being pulled back the moment they did. As the model tumbled during the interpretative dance, it was clear that the true essence captured was the climate’s vulnerability.
After this segment, a man walked down the runway. His upper body resembled oil drops while wearing black skirt. Other models wore ship-shaped hats and carried fish-shaped bags, just like those whose lives were lost in the black oil. Black arms wrapped the models’ bodies while the San Miguel oil spills were shown. Models were on fire, fisherfolks were emphasized, and the ill land was flashed.
Rubber earrings by Makabayan 2025 senatorial bet Ka Mimi Doringo caught my attention. Their medium-speed paces, to me at least, spoke louder than their screams at the end of their walk. I interpreted the modern and casual approach to their outfits asa reflection of how we navigate the everyday challenges posed by the lack of a just transition framework.
Meanwhile, when the lights went pink, a black cloak with the United States’ (US) flag drawn on its fabric, was shown off to reveal a pink dress. Others have blue swirls on their cheeks, and those after protested for the freedom of Palestine—the Filipinos that stand with humanity. It was brilliantly ironic how the audience and staff organizers of the event united through the spirit of solidarity for a whole minute or two, in an event centered on awareness of our realities’ horrors, to express that we are one with Palestine as they face an even worse demon lingering at their crib.
10:00 PM
The clock hit 10:00 PM, then came the heavy drop of metal music by the band Gabas. Designer Santi Obcena boggles once again. Trash bags were translated into clothing and a call to surface victims was the new agenda. Articles resembling fire, chain necklaces, hats, and leggings with slippers paraded. Justice was sought through long sleeves made of basahang bilog. Painted leaves on nude bodysuits symbolized the call for environmental awareness. A covered mouth screamed, tied hands raised, blindfolded eyes shimmered—all as the show drew to its end. To conclude the show of horror, all of the models circled through the runway once again carrying placards with different advocacies in the midst of the passionate rock moment. In the blink of an eye, brave yet fragile voices echoed throughout the theater to express a revolutionary spirit, chanting: ang tao, ang bayan, tuloy-tuloy ang laban!
***
Honestly, I thought that the crossovers of Friday the 13th, birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Global Day of Environmental Action would be difficult to comprehend. But somehow, through the runway, each was justly highlighted; the chosen date and themes for this event swiftly made sense. Horror. The worsening environmental climate under the current presidency is not something that ends at 10:00 PM. It goes on for as long as we let it. Horror. FAFFF 2024 is a chilling reminder of that.
Photo slider by Emmanuel II Hoylar
