Bessie Besana styling Sofronio Vasquez (left photo), and the singer wearing the New York-based designer’s creation. Image: Kenneth Gohel
LOS ANGELES, California — Sofronio Vasquez’s recent show in New York was not only a platform for him to enthrall the crowd with his vocal chops; he was also able to showcase Filipino fashion to his awestruck spectators.
The Filipino crooner, who topped the 26th season of the reality TV singing competition “The Voice” here in the United States in 2024, had a one-night-only engagement at the Town Hall NYC in New York City last month, where he appeared in four looks, one by Filipino designer Mark “Bessie” Besana.
“I got the pleasure of meeting the producer of the show Zelle DeVilbiss and Dr. Jerry Dayao. And as we were talking, we thought of me dressing him up,” Besana told INQUIRER.net in an interview.
The former beauty contest mentor and national pageant official studied fashion design, and now has an atelier at 325 West 38th St., Unit 1407, in New York City.
“My look was the third ensemble he wore. It was a magical moment because that is the segment where he sang ‘Maalala Mo Kaya,’ which was one of the highlights of the show, with musical direction from Troy Laureta,” said Besana.
He said he found the singing champion to be “such a nice soul,” who always checks out on everyone in the production. He also revealed that Vasquez makes sure to have moments in his shows where he can closely engage with the crowd. “Kaya dapat daw lagi siya mabango (so he has to smell good always), he jested,” Besana shared.
Besana said Vasquez was collaborative. “Sofronio’s direction was to wear with some sheen, and he requested it to be double-breasted. I ended up using a structured silk material with a textured jacquard lapel, and a pop of red, asymmetrically-draped pocket square,” the designer revealed.
But Besana did not only provide an outfit for Vasquez to wear to the show. He also served as the singer’s stylist for the whole event itself, together with styling associate Ivan Gamboa and makeup artist Samantha Lewis.
For the Filipino designer, it was “such an honor” to dress up someone like Vasquez who has given pride to the country in the international scene. “When Sofronio shared his story on stage, I cannot hide my emotions and teared a bit because he is a living proof that immigrants like us can make our dreams come true,” Besana said.
Vasquez recently flew back to the Philippines to sing the national anthem at President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address. The singer is scheduled to fly to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for a Sept. 6 show at the World Trade Centre.
He is set to reunite with Laureta in the US for another show, this time at the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 11.
Aside from Vasquez, Besana’s other high-profile Filipino clients were Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup, and Miss World 2013 Megan Young. For his close friend Wurtzbach, he created a figure-hugging lace gown with a high slit for her wedding to Jeremy Jauncey, held at a beach in Seychelles in March 2023. /edv
