A NOTED Thomasian Fashion designer was found dead last April 20 at 6:30 a.m. near the Ever Gotesco Mall on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City (QC).
According to a report from the Quezon City Central Police District, two mall watchmen discovered the body of 36-year-old Melchor Vergel De Dios, who graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education major in Biology, at the backseat of a silver Ford Lynx sedan, which De Dios owned. The body of another victim also lay slumped on the floor.
De Dios, who was president and owner of 1770 Garments Corp., sustained a gunshot wound at the back of his head and injuries on his head and other parts of his body, the police said. His head was wrapped in a white plastic bag with a galvanized iron wire tied around his neck while his hands were tied around his back.
The former president of Young Designer’s Guild (YDG) and a member of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines was supposed to finish his Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing Technology at the University of the Philippines this May.
Fashion designer Joji Lloren, a friend and colleague of De Dios in YDG, said “he (De Dios) may not have been the most famous designer, but was one of the talented designers” the country has.
De Dios, a former member of Teatro Tomasino, UST’s theater group, designed the wedding gown of actress and QC councilor Aiko Melendez, he also did gowns for Heart Evangelista and television hosts Mel Tiangco and Solita “Winnie” Monsod. His designs were also behind the brand names Vergel De Dios, Viz-a-Viz, and Pour Elle, carried by Cinderella shops.
His remains were laid to rest last April 26 at the Himlayang Pilipino in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
