Rommel Rico, known professionally as Virrco, is a visionary artist, designer and advocate for sustainability, upcycling, and recycling. His mission is to elevate traditional Filipino attire, particularly the Filipiniana, and reintroduce it as a contemporary, versatile option for daily and office wear.
Drawing on his experiences in New York, Rico has observed how other ethnic groups seamlessly integrate their cultural attire into everyday life. This insight has inspired him to challenge the convention of reserving the Filipiniana for special occasions, aiming instead to make it a modern wardrobe staple.
Rico’s commitment to sustainability underpins his entire design philosophy. He believes fashion should play a crucial role in environmental stewardship. His innovative approach involves upcycling and recycling materials to create striking pieces that are both stylish and eco-friendly. By doing so, he not only minimizes waste but also educates the public on the importance of sustainable fashion practices.
Rico’s vision for the Filipiniana is to transform it into a symbol of national pride that resonates with the new generation. He focuses on modernizing traditional elements such as butterfly sleeves, tapis, and dresses, adapting them for contemporary settings. He envisions a future where the Filipiniana is a common sight in offices and daily life, much like traditional attire is embraced in cosmopolitan cities like New York.
Beyond fashion design, Rico actively participates in educational initiatives to promote sustainability. Recently, he collaborated with Partnerships for Sustainability Education at the "Turong Kalikasan" during the World Earth Day celebration at Trinoma Ayala Mall. There, he spoke about the urgent need to appreciate and restore our planet’s ecosystems. Rico emphasized the critical state of our environment and the collective actions needed to address these challenges, underscoring that it is the 11th hour for our planet, necessitating immediate action.
To further emphasize his message, Rico showcased a collection of modernized Filipiniana outfits tailored for Generation Z during a series of mall fashion shows. This initiative demonstrated his design excellence and showed how traditional attire could be reimagined for contemporary tastes and lifestyles. These events illustrated how sustainability and fashion could coexist beautifully, offering a glimpse into a future where cultural heritage and environmental responsibility are seamlessly integrated.
On May 17, Rico’s talents were highlighted at the "PSe Brushstrokes and Fashion" event at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. This event, a fusion of fashion and art, featured Rico's clothing designs alongside his acrylic artworks on canvas. These artworks were available for bidding, likely supporting his sustainability initiatives. His remaining artworks can still be purchased on the PSE and his personal website, [Virrco](http://www.virrco.net), offering supporters a chance to own a piece of his creative vision.
Rico marked a significant milestone on June 30 by participating in the Fashion Photographers of the Philippines Inc.'s second-anniversary event. There, he unveiled a new collection of Aplaya (beach)-inspired Filipiniana outfits. These designs, crafted from old fishing nets, low-cost fabrics, discarded Essilor lenses, and net bags, evoke images of women by the shoreline awaiting the day's catch. This collection not only highlights his dedication to sustainability but also honors the coastal communities of the Philippines, blending environmental awareness with cultural storytelling.
Rommel Rico’s journey is a compelling fusion of artistry, cultural advocacy, and environmental activism. His work calls on Filipinos to embrace their cultural heritage in everyday life and adopt sustainable practices in all aspects of living. By championing the Filipiniana and promoting sustainability, Rico is not only preserving a vital part of Filipino culture but also paving the way for a more conscious and stylish future.
