How Filipino designer Jerome Lorico crafted Bianca Umali's GMA Gala 2025 outfit
At the GMA Gala 2025, Bianca Umali was among the stars who turned heads with their gorgeous outfits. But the actress did more than just make a fashion statement with her outfit; She told a story.
On Instagram, the Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre star shared the journey behind her intricate look, which was a creation of designer Jerome Lorico. She described it as "the culmination of craftsmanship, heritage, and vision."
Her top was fashioned from real capiz shells. "Each piece hand-cut, sanded smooth, and molded directly on my body to create a piece that feels as much like armor as it does adornment," she said.
In contrast to her sculpted top was her flowy skirt, made from a special knitted material by a master knitter in Cavite. The fabric is a mix of cotton, gold thread, and piña (pineapple leaf fiber) yarn. The buttons used were molded by an anting-anting maker from Batangas.
"Every pleat and panel was designed to flow with my stride, to catch the air in moments of stillness and motion," Umali said.
Her handbag, also handmade, tied the look together in perfect harmony—its textures and tones mirroring the ensemble's palette.
"This is the kind of creation that reminds me why fashion is an art form—one that requires patience, collaboration, and a deep respect for both culture and craft," Umali wrote.
"Wearing it feels like carrying the hands, hearts, and history of those who made it possible," she concluded.
To challenge the status quo
The gown stood out for the way it framed and reflected Umali. Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, Lorico explained that the vision for the look started and ended with the woman wearing it.
"[A] lot of times clothes tend to overpower the one wearing them, especially during special events where it is usually opted to outshine one another. We don’t want to just create a beautiful garment, but we want it to speak about the one wearing it and the hands that made it possible," he told L!fe.
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Ultimately, Lorico emphasized that the outfit highlights Filipino craftsmen and materials.
"We wanted to honor them and give them the chance to see their work being appreciated by the new generation," he said
"We are grateful that people took notice and started asking questions. Because at the end of the day, beautiful things need to create not just hollow noise but a meaningful conversation," Lorico continued.
Umali currently stars in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre, a spin-off to the 2016 reboot Encantadia.
Among her famous TV and film roles are Lawiswis in Mulawin vs. Ravena, Crisanta in Kambal, Karibal, Sahaya in the TV show of the same name, Farrah in Legal Wives, and Irene in the second installment of Mano Po Legacy.
The GMA Gala was held on Aug. 2 at the Manila Marriott Hotel.
