Annber V., a graduating student from Monsignor Fraser College, is making waves on the international stage with her entry in the Stuck at Prom contest—a unique design challenge that invites high school students across Canada and the U.S. to craft formalwear entirely from Duck® Brand Duct Tape. The grand prize: a $15,000 scholarship.
Annber only learned about the competition on May 24—just 11 days before the June 4 deadline—but she wasted no time. "I began the sketch on the same day I learned about the contest," she recalled. Despite doubts and time constraints, she pushed forward with the encouragement of her mother and aunt.
Her creation, a traditional Filipino terno dress, is the only Filipino-themed entry among many others submitted this year. Inspired by her heritage and family, the dress pays tribute to both her parents' roots—her father from Zambales, a longtime Overseas Filipino Worker whose family works in fishing, and her mother from Antique, a province known for traditional weaving.
The design reflects these influences through intricate ocean-themed elements like pearls, shells, and anchors, as well as woven tape patterns. Annber spent roughly 90 hours and used 21 rolls of duct tape—plus cardboard, burlap-printed tape, shimmer accents, and even scratch paper—to bring the dress to life.
"I thought it was very beautiful, and it was praised by my family, but as I was actually making it up until the day before the deadline, I thought of quitting multiple times," she said. "It was my mother's and aunt's continuous moral support that helped me push forward."
Annber, who emigrated from the Philippines last year, noted that this prom season would have marked her first and last. With this project, she hoped to celebrate the cultural importance of prom while expressing her identity through fashion. She drew inspiration from acclaimed Filipino designer Mak Tumang, known for incorporating Filipino elements into his couture.
"The number of participants this year grew almost seven times compared to last year. It's nerve-wracking, honestly, however, I am still thankful that the Duck brand gives this prestigious opportunity to us students," Annber said.
Now bound for Toronto Metropolitan University, she hopes to win the scholarship and use the prize money to fund her first two years of tuition. Regardless of the outcome, Annber's story already stands as a powerful blend of resilience, culture, and creativity.
