MANILA, Philippines - Every day, I discover new talent and new enthusiasm in the Filipino soul, ? Ayala Group chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala said. ?What is sad is that we have to wait to see someone succeed abroad to give that person a name, and then we go all out to honor that person. And so I thought, we should start to discover such artists here, and make them famous with the whole country supporting them.?

Bravo Filipino, a festival of Philippine art, music and fashion slated to run through April, is his brainchild.

This celebration of Filipino talent and creativity formally launches Greenbelt 5 as the home of the country's world-class fashion designers, including Bea Valdes, Rafe Totengco, Tina Maristela-Ocampo, Butch Carungay, Ana Rocha, Arnel Papa, Vic Barba, Cesar Gaupo, Victoria Marin, Bonne Bouche, Patrice Diaz, Jun Escario, Amina Aranaz, Lulu Tan-Gan, Lila Almario, Myth Religioso and Kate Torralba.

?The Filipino designer is passionate and artistic, globally sophisticated, and works with indigenous materials from the earth and the sea,? said Jim I. Ayala, president of Ayala Land. ?The elite of the fashion world have recognized their talent. Furniture, clothing and accessories by the likes of Lhuillier, Celestina, Layug, Cobonpue are increasingly found adorning cognoscenti and their homes in New York, Paris and Tokyo.

?Yet, with all the international acclaim and overseas sales, these designers have not had an appropriate home in the Philippines. Ayala Land's Greenbelt 5 provides these exciting artists with a setting at par with the best retail experiences in the world. It is a tribute to the best designers in the country.?

Showcasing classical and contemporary masterpieces in Philippine art, music and fashion, the festival will feature both seasoned artists and talented newcomers.

The celebration kicked off with the unveiling of the Greenbelt 3 and 5 tunnel murals depicting a montage of works by various Filipino artists. Smaller banners inspired by the artworks will be displayed in different areas of Ayala Malls.

Highlights of the festival include the Feb. 19 concert featuring Filipinas Heritage Library's Himig Collection and a photo exhibit featuring 30 artworks from different photographers, including Frankie Callaghan, Peachy Concepcion, Johann Espiritu, Gabby Lacuesta, Kit Zobel, Quincy Castillo, Emil Davocol, Pancho Escaler and Ernie Fajardo.

The exhibit, ?9 Photographers: Shared Moods,? will run March 26-April 8 at the Greenbelt 3 lobby.

Because Greenbelt 5 is being built as the ?prime fashion locale? in Manila, it is only fitting that the festival will include two major fashion events.

On March 13, a fashion show at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk will highlight the designs of icons Ramon Valera, Salvacion Higgins, Roy Gonzales, Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales, Aureo Alonzo, Noli Hans and Patis Tesoro; visionaries Inno Sotto, Auggie Cordero and Cesar Gaupo; and accessories designers Rafe Totengco, Tina Maristela-Ocampo and Bea Valdes.

A special fashion show, to be staged at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery on March 27, will give fans a special preview of the Matavanero collection of London-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo.

There will also be a traveling exhibit which will display key pieces from the Himig Collection in Ayala Malls until April, and a concert series featuring musical directors Ryan Cayabyab and Louie Ocampo in Ayala malls.

Call 8921801 or e-mail bravofilipino@filipinaslibrary.org.ph