Fashion designer Pitoy Moreno passes on

Legendary fashion designer and master of formal Filipiniana Jose “Pitoy” Moreno Jr. died on Monday afternoon, January 15, his great-nephew Paul Jason Cruz confirmed to "24 Oras." Moreno was 92 years old.

Since the ‘50s, the fashion designer has been the favorite among the who’s who of Philippine politics and society thanks to his beautiful terno designs, beautiful Maria Clara-inspired gowns, and his masterly use of Filipino fabrics. 

He’s been credited to introduce piña, jusi, and hablon to global audiences. His creations also appeared on the pages of fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

So beautiful and regal were his designs that even U.S. first ladies as well as royalty from Europe and Asia wore them.

He was among controversial batch of nominees for the National Artist Award in 2009, alongside film marker Carlo J. Caparas, Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa, and Cecile Guidote Alvarez.  

In 2013, Binibining Pilipinas paid tribute to the Fashion Czar of Asia, by having the ladies parade his various creations.

Moreno was hospitalized for pneumonia in 2014. According to a report on the Philippine Daily Inquirer then, he “flatlined, but since his nurse had brought him to the hospital immediately, he was revived in the nick of time.” — LA/BM, GMA News