Pursuing fashion was one of the most unexpected things I did but I am so glad I took that leap. I became part of so many unexpected things. I opened so many doors, and I was inspired everyday by my friends, family, professors, and batch mates.
I experienced being a talent, a performer, a drag queen, a Make-up artist, a prod assistant, and most importantly, a fashion designer. I am so glad that I took that opportunity because I would not have experienced it if I did not come to Benilde.
Of course I want to take this time to thank my family, my friends, and every one I worked with, you guys are all amazing!
I will forever look back in this journey and will never forget all of the struggles, sleepless nights, and most of all the fun that I had with you guys.
Thank you for everything. I will be back🧡
In Queer Purgatorio, Bacoor-based designer Derek Gerard Belista of House of Rockwell reframes Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy through the lived reality of the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community. Developed at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, the collection traces a deeply personal pilgrimage, conforming, contesting, raging, accepting, and ultimately finding balance between sexuality and spirituality. Biblically accurate angels, feathered textures, and evolving silhouettes mark each “stage,” visualizing the tension between religion, family, and self-discovery that shapes many queer Filipino narratives.
Designer: @dere_kd , @houseof_rockwell
Photographer: Al Alavar @halo_prodph_
Models: Zerafina Hoax @zerafina_hx , Miss PoblaXion @misspobla_ , Eliza @ms.elizaaaaa , Popovy Automata @ppvy.a , Kunzumi Xion @kunzumi.xion
Set Assistants: Glarifel Pabia @glariie , Shyra Tumanda @laeuruna , Donita Anne Samaniego @donitanne
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
Queer Purgatorio culminates a journey reaching the highest form of queer identity. Innocence, gaining consciousness, breaking down beliefs, acceptance and transformation, reaching a perfect balance of spirituality and sexuality. It is the end of the beginning, and the start of a new chapter, healed and renewed.
In frame: @zerafina_hx@misspobla_@ms.elizaaaaa@ppvy.a@kunzumi.xion
Photographer: @halo.prodsph_
Assistants : @donitanne@laeuruna@glariie
QueerPurgatorio sinulid2026 awanggan fashion explore
LOOK 5: BALANCE
The soul arrives, whole, unhidden, and at peace. In the quiet union of sexuality and spirituality, the self transcends conflict and becomes complete. This is the final becoming, a sacred equilibrium where truth is no longer divided, but fully embodied.
In frame: @kunzumi.xion
Photographer: @halo.prodsph_
Assistants : @donitanne@laeuruna@glariie
#QueerPurgatorio #sinulid2026 #awanggan #fashion #explore
LOOK 4: ACCEPTANCE
A quiet healing begins, where love softens the edges of rejection. In the embrace of family, the self finds ground again, no longer divided by silence or shame. True acceptance becomes the bridge, restoring connection, and allowing harmony to take root.
In frame: @ppvy.a
Photographer: @halo.prodsph_
Assistants : @donitanne@laeuruna@glariie
#QueerPurgatorio #sinulid2026 #awanggan #fashion #explore
LOOK 3: RAGE
A fire ignites. It burns through the chains of repression as one claims its truth without apology. In this defiance lies freedom, but also fracture. What remains is a scorched bond with faith, family, and community; estrangement born not of choice, but of survival.
In frame: @ms.elizaaaaa
Photographer: @halo.prodsph_
Assistants : @donitanne@laeuruna@glariie
#QueerPurgatorio #sinulid2026 #awanggan #fashion #explore
