“Made in the Philippines” was presented by the internationally-renowned designer Kenneth Barlis on Dec. 14 at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. This unforgettable event was a celebration of Filipino fashion blending the cultural artistry of the designer with modern trends.The emcees, Fox 5 anchors Phil Blauer and Maria Dunn, warmly greeted this sold-out crowd. The show opened with three talented Filipina fashion designers showcasing their work. First down the runway was P’NAI known for creating high-quality and affordable apparel and accessories. Next came Herrera Filipiniana, where culture meets couture. Jean Amour Designs closed this segment with her stunning creations.The second half of the evening began with Kenneth Barlis’ designs. One segment highlighted his clients, who graced the runway in their custom-made pieces. The amazing menswear collection followed in a separate section. A show-stopping part of the evening was when all the models came out dressed in his red couture, leaving the audience in awe. Another breathtaking moment was the bridal collection when the models showcased a stunning array of gowns. The runway was transformed into a sea of white.Special performances added to the evening’s magic. Joey Albert, a Filipino singer, songwriter, and lyricist added to the evening. Tootsie Guevarra, a recording artist, actress, and television host, also graced the stage. Fil-Trio, comprised of Kenneth Laurente, Cristiani Rebada, and Lyndon Apostol captivated the crowd with their Classical Crossover performance. In 2023, they received the Most Outstanding Group Performer/Artist Entertainers of the Year by the AmerAsia International Awards. Singer-songwriter Kevin Hermogenes, along with Asia’s Queen of Soul Jaya and Garth Garcia, added to the star power for the evening.Barlis established his brand in 2012 focusing on evening gown collections. Over the years he expanded to introduce a terrific menswear line and added a wedding gown collection in 2019. He gained wider recognition as a contestant on “Project Runway Season 19” and recently collaborated with Disney to design costumes for the TV series, “American Born Chinese.” For more information, visit @kennethbarlis_official.UPCOMING EVENTSWednesday, Jan. 22 – Fashion and Business Networking/Elevating Your Potential-San Diego at the Garage Kitchen + Bar from 6-8 p.m. Located in the Gaslamp at 655 Fourth Ave. The event is 21-plus. For tickets: https://bit.ly/3DioUXY.Sunday, Feb. 23 – Bridal Bazaar with fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Convention Center. Two shows will be offered during the day. For more info: 760-334-5500.Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner in Southern California. Learn more about our Hat Designer, Teacher, and Podcaster at dianacavagnaro.com.

As part of the I Am San Diego project, the City of San Diego has collaborated with nonprofit StoryCorps Studios to produce conversations between San Diegans, capturing their unique and diverse experiences as they live and work in the nation’s eighth largest city. These honest and heartwarming conversations are now being shared publicly and will be archived in the Library of Congress.Over a week this past summer at the San Diego Central Library in Downtown, StoryCorps Studios recorded the stories of people who call San Diego home. Participants were invited to chat with a friend, relative, or colleague. The conversations capture a moment in time and represent a cross-section of the city with participants from every City Council district.San Diegans are also invited to record their stories, by visiting the website and recording an interview themselves with a friend or loved one.“By preserving these conversations, we’re honoring the experiences of our residents and creating a lasting legacy for future generations to understand and appreciate what it means to be a San Diegan,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “I know that as people explore these stories, they’ll consider adding their own. The more stories we capture, the more this website will reflect the rich diversity of our city.”The collection is now available for anyone to listen to on the City’s I Am San Diego website. Featured conversations include educators from Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan, neighbors who survived the 2003 Cedar Fire, a married couple who immigrated to San Diego from India, sisters who are passionate about preserving their heritage, a park ranger who spent 25 years working in Balboa Park and an animated video highlighting a conversation between San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Logan and his friend Capt. Jason Shanley.More than 35 people participated in the project. Additional recordings are available for listeners to enjoy on the City of Diego’s StoryCorps archive page.To ensure these stories are saved for future generations, the recorded conversations will be archived in the Library of Congress and more San Diegans are invited to share their stories as part of the online audio time capsule.“I Am San Diego is a way for residents to share their individual experiences and for others to learn from them,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “This project captures many of the voices, perspectives, and stories of the people who call San Diego home. By listening and adding to this diverse collection, we can gain a better understanding of what makes San Diego such a unique city.”“StoryCorps’ mission is to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all — one story at a time,” said Caitlin Moses Bowser, managing director of StoryCorps Studios. “We are grateful to the City of San Diego for trusting StoryCorps Studios to highlight the city’s dedication to cultural and social progress through the stories from inspiring community members. We hope that this collection deepens community connections and sparks meaningful dialogue.”I Am San Diego, first announced in January 2022, is an ongoing effort to build empathy and understanding around how embracing diversity is an essential part of sustaining inclusive communities. About StoryCorps Studios StoryCorps Studios, the brand studio of StoryCorps, offers an award-winning approach to storytelling centered on the belief that everyone has a story to tell. StoryCorps Studios facilitates personal conversations between people who care about each other to create authentic content that resonates. The StoryCorps model is built on 20 years of public trust with over half a million participants.

As 2025 gets underway, catch up on your reading by seeing what was big on checkout lists for San Diegans in 2024. The San Diego County Library released its top ten lists for books, downloadable audiobooks, movies, and more.The library grows in popularity every year. Last year, there were 11,610,909 checkouts, a 9% increase from 2023. And for the first time, physical and digital checkouts are split nearly 50/50.Library cards are free and you can get one by visiting one of the library’s 33 branch locations or applying for a digital card online.Adult Books (e-book and physical book checkouts combined)The Women: A Novel by Kristin HannahFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThe Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBrideIron Flame by Rebecca YarrosNone of This is True: A Novel by Lisa JewellTom Lake: A Novel by Ann PatchettLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J MaasThe Covenant of Water: A Novel by Abraham VergheseFirst Lie Wins: A Novel by Ashley ElstonDownloadable AudiobooksThe Women: A Novel by Kristin HannahTom Lake: A Novel by Ann PatchettThe Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBrideLessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie GarmusFirst Lie Wins: A Novel by Ashely ElstonNone of This is True by Lisa JewellHappy Place: A Novel by Emily HenryThe Teacher by Freida McFaddenFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J MaasMoviesOppenheimerBarbieThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & SnakesIndiana Jones & The Dial of DestinyDune Part TwoMission: Impossible, Dead Reckoning Part 1The MarvelsSound of FreedomAvatar, the Way of WaterGhostbusters, Frozen EmpireTeen Fiction (print/physical checkouts only)Smile by Raina TelgemeierDrama by Raina TelgemeierSisters by Raina TelgemeierThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsGhosts by Raina TelgemeierThe Titan’s Curse by Rick RiordanThe Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick RiordanThe Red Pyramid by Rick RiordanSix of Crows by Leigh BardugoThe Hidden Oracle by Rick RiordanChildren’s BooksDiary of a Wimpy Kid No Brainer by Jeff KinneyDiary of a Wimpy Kid Diper Overlode by Jeff KinneyDiary of a Wimpy Kid Big Shot by Jeff KinneyCat Kid Comic Club Influencers by Dav PilkeyDog Man The Scarlet Shedder by Dav PilkeyDog Man 20,000 Fleas Under the Sea by Dav PilkeyBig Nate Move It or Lose It by Lincoln PeirceDog Man Lord of the Fleas by Dav PilkeyCat Kid Comic Club Collaborations by Dav PilkeyThe Baby-Sitters Club: Claudia and the Bad Joke by Arley Nopra