MANILA - Who knew that a Filipino designer could take traditional weaving techniques and build an internationally renowned fashion business?

Described as dynamic, spontaneous, and immensely creative, Jeannie Goulbourn dreamed of showing the world that the Philippines is capable of weaving silk for the high-end market.

Weaving and fashion are in Goulbourn's blood. Her mother weaved pinya fibers back in Bicol for barongs, while her aunt, Salvacion Lim-Higgins, started the first fashion design school in the country, "Slims."

Early in life, Jeannie carved a name for herself in the fashion industry as one of Pitoy Moreno's top fashion models, before leaving to study at the Fashion Institute in Technology in New York.

She worked as a fashion assitant at "McCall's Magazine" and applied her fashion expertise as a buyer at Joseph Magnin, a high-end specialty department store in San Francisco.

Soon, she set up Goulbourn Silk Cocoon, producing silk fabrics that are not just artistically beautiful, but evokes the hand weaving traditions from the Philippines. These interior and fashion creations are now sought after in the international market, and Silk Cocoon's barongs are made for the most distinguished of clientele, including leaders from the world over.

Her daughter Katrina Goulbourn-Feist, has even continued her mother's legacy, designing vibrant and elegant silk baptismal gowns and other baby couture.

Aside from her works in fashion design, she also set up the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, which helps combat depression, in honor of her young daughter who committed suicide in Hong Kong in 2002.

This strong woman, who has indeed conquered life's toughest challenges with grace, is one of Metro's 20 Global Pinoys for the magazine's exciting June isse.

Grab a copy of Metro magazine's June issue in select stores nationwide. Report by Stef Juan, Metro magazine. Original photo by Sara Black.