“Art Meets Fashion: Ezra Santos Interprets Una Bulaqueña in Gala Hosted by the Philippine Embassy in UAE at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.”
Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 22, 2025 — Under the iconic dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Embassy in the UAE hosted a historic gala reception celebrating Juan Luna’s 1895 masterpiece Una Bulaqueña. The evening not only marked the painting’s landmark display at the world-renowned museum but also showcased the artistry of internationally acclaimed Dubai-based Filipino designer Ezra Santos, who paid homage to the painting through a breathtaking couture presentation.
Photo Credits: Philippine Embassy UAE
The gala was led by H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, alongside
Madame Caroline Belinda C. Ver, and distinguished members of the diplomatic and cultural
community. Dignitaries in attendance include H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister
of Culture, Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Jeremy Barns, Director-General of the
National Museum of the Philippines.
At the heart of the evening was Ezra’s’ modern reinterpretation of the Filipiniana gown—a sartorial
tribute to Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad, the young woman from Bulacan immortalized in Luna’s painting.
Just as Una Bulaqueña embodied grace, strength, and cultural pride during the Spanish colonial era,
Ezra Santos’ collection echoed the same Filipino spirit: from understated gowns in chiffon with fluid
drapes and streamlined skirts, to more flamboyant designs with sculptural details, bubble hemlines,
and opulent fabrics.
Photographer: Bethoven Filomeno
His work masterfully bridged history and modernity, presenting the terno, balintawak, and baro’t saya as symbols of heritage redefined for today’s global stage.
Photographer: Elmer Magallanes
Photographer: Elmer Magallanes
Through Ezra Santos’ collection, Emiliana’s poise and heritage were reborn, allowing audiences to see Luna’s muse not only on canvas but also in couture.
Photographer: Elmer Magallanes
Adding depth to the evening was Santos’ muse for the show, Ms. Bessie Badilla, the first Filipina house model for European luxury brand Balenciaga in 1982. Ms. Badilla graced the runway as an embodiment of both legacy and reinvention, symbolizing the continuity of Filipino artistry across generations and disciplines.
