- Erik Rosete banned Filipinas at Los Angeles Fashion Week.
- Kiana Valenciano, Jamie Herrell and five other Filipina models weren’t able to participate amid getting an invitation.
- Kiana and Jamie took to social media to express how proud they still remain to be as a Filipino.
Even though invited to walk on the runway for fashion designers, Filipinas got banned in Los Angeles Fashion Week due to racial discrimination. Kiana Valenciano and Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell took to Twitter and Instagram to declare how proud they still remain amid the incident.
There were supposed to be seven Filipinas to represent the country for the said fashion week. However, Art Hearts Fashions’ president Erik Rosete didn’t want Filipinas on the fashion show. So Kiana, Jamie and five other Filipina models couldn’t participate.
The seven ladies had also been invited to participate at the opening show of Lebanese fashion designer Elie Madi. They were also joined by Filipino designers Resty Lagare and Rocky Gathercole at The MacArthur on March 12, Monday (March 13, Tuesday, Manila time).
Although probably heartbroken for missing such a huge opportunity, Kiana and Jamie remains proud Filipinas. Kiana, then, took to Twitter to write a simple post:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud to be a Filipina 
“
Jamie took to Instagram to write a lengthy post on the matter. She also unleashed her beauty queen side to express her insight. She, then, added that racism will remain an issue. Jamie also added that one man will not taint her perception of good people in America. She, then, continued that men and women should never give up hope. She also sustained that people should give themselves a chance to reach their dreams.
Jamie, then, commended Filipinos on their strong hearts. She also encouraged Filipinos to continue showing the world how strong and beautiful they remain. She, then, ended her post with asking everybody to celebrate differences and break away from prejudice.
“One man doesn’t define a whole nation. After the LA fashion week experience I have been receiving many messages about this issue on my social media accounts.
Yes, racism is still an issue and what has happened shouldn’t have happened but, not all people are the same. I have met wonderful people of different race and colour in America (including Americans) and this one man will not taint my image of the good people I have met in this country. So for the women and men who want to make a career here please keep that hope and give yourself the chance to make your dreams come true. Filipinos are strong at heart and let’s continue to show that to the world.
Let’s celebrate our differences and break away from the prejudice because life is just to freaking beautiful.💫 Photo By: @noeldaganta
HMUA: @maxitone.the.mua
Designer: @alandelrosario1231″
Jacob Meir, the owner of For The Stars Fashion House, which distributes the creations of Elie Madi, Rocky Gathercole and Resty Lagare in America protested against the banning of Filipinas. He decided to withdraw his participation. In an interview with Unang Hirit, Rocky also spoke up about this matter.
“We actually don’t tolerate this kind of thing na i-discriminate ‘yong mga Filipina. Nag-back out talaga kami. It’s not fair sa mga tao, like sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino.”
