AFI head praises designer for “Rock The Runway” fundraiser on July 28 in Avalon Hollywood
(Leftmost) Celebrity designer Rocky Gathercole will feature a collection for the exciting “Rock the Runway” on July 28 at the landmark Avalon Hollywood. (Center) From left, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, Rocky Gathercole, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during the visit of Gathercole to the Foundation office in Manila. Gathercole chose one of the Foundation’s core programs – Bantay Bata (Child Watch) – as the beneficiary of “Rock the Runway”. (Photo by Marianne De Vera/ABS-CBN Global Corporate Affairs & PR). (Right) Couture and Compassion meet via “Rock The Runway”, a benefit event featuring the designs of Rocky Gathercole.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – A heartwarming lovefest ensued upon the recent visit of Rocky Gathercole, famed Filipino designer to the biggest music stars, to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya (Family Service) Foundation, Inc. or ALKFI. The designer to celebrities like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Underwood dropped by to express his commitment to helping one of ALKFI’s core programs called, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), Asia’s model for child care services.
Gathercole was warmly welcomed by ALKFI Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and concurrent ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during his visit.
Come July 28, at the landmark Avalon Hollywood, Gathercole will unveil a collection for the show, “Rock The Runway”, proceeds of which will benefit Bantay Bata. The fashion fundraiser is presented by ABS-CBN’s Lifestyle Network in partnership with the Los Angeles-based For The Stars Fashion House.
What is drawing a lot of attention to “Rock The Runway” is that this is the first fundraiser show of the internationally famous Gathercole that is dedicated to the children of Bantay Bata. The reason?
“I see myself in the children being cared for by Bantay Bata,” Gathercole said. “I was a battered child. So, given the chance, I want to help the youth. I was very fortunate that God and truly good people took me out of the dark when I lived in the streets after running away from home. I’ve been very, very blessed. It’s time to give back. ‘Rock The Runway’ is my dream fashion show. Helping the kids through my work – that is where my heart lies, that is what my life is about now.”
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ABS-CBN Foundation International, through Bennett, released this statement in grateful salute to Gathercole and supporters of “Rock The Runway”:
We are deeply grateful to Rocky Gathercole, Lifestyle Network, TFC and For The Stars Fashion House for supporting ABS-CBN Foundation International, specifically BANTAY BATA (Child Watch). Our abused and disadvantaged children will most definitely get to smile and laugh again.
Kids always see everything with fresh eyes, expecting something new and exciting and different every time they look. Sadly, it is not so with destitute children. They are deprived, even of excitement and imagination. Poverty is more than just material and physical deprivation for them. It is a loss of hope and dignity. Rocky Gathercole knows this only too well. And just as Rocky was able to get up and out of hopelessness through the compassion of people he met along the way, now he wants to give even more of himself for them. And so we have faith that a bright future is in store for these kids because of his kindness, goodness, and generosity of heart.
Once more, I sincerely want to thank Rocky, The Lifestyle Network, For The Stars Fashion House, TFC and all our donors and partners for providing the help and support needed by the abused, sick, and poor children in our country, through this avant-garde fashion show, ROCK THE RUNWAY.
Together, we are helping restore hope and dignity in the children’s lives.
Hollywood celebrities have already been invited to the show and a special pre-show entertainment will be provided. To purchase tickets to “Rock The Runway”, visit https://RockyGathercole.eventbrite.com Ticket prices are at $250, $150, $75 and $40. Special VIP treatment including access to style stations, food and drinks are available to All Out and Preferred Levels Ticket Holders. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/LifestyleNetworkTV/