"I wanted to make a culturally indigenous film while avoiding the formulaic subcontinental style, " he says.

CNN: REALITY CHECK

Betina has found a way to modernize hand-embroidery techniques and indigenous materials like shell and pineapple weave fabric by playing on the strengths of her youth and her personal style urban with traces of influence from designers like Nicolas Ghesquiere, the team at Kenzo, Proenza Schouler, Givenchy and Alexander Wang.

FORBES: Filipino Designers Show Talent At New York Fashion Week