SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino designer is on top of the pack of the new season of the hit reality television show, “Project Runway”.

Jay Sario, 31, is the first Philippine-born designer to ever make it to the show. Sario said representing Filipinos was his goal when he auditioned for Season 7 of the popular reality show.

“I'm proud to be able to represent and be part of history. I am history!” Sario said.

Sario was born and raised in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. He and his family moved to the US when he was 17.

He developed his design skills at the Honolulu Community College and the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.

Sario said when he found out he made it to Project Runway, he was more than ready.

“The very first time I saw all 15 other designers I said to myself, ‘This is it! Bring it on!’" he said.
 
On the second episode, Sario won over other contestants when he created a little black dress out of burlap --- a fabric used as potato sacks.

“They're just amazed about the fact that I made burlap look like feathers and that kind of sold it," he said.

Sario gives his impression of Project Runway's host, supermodel Heidi Klum.

“She's just gorgeous. She doesn't have to do so much to look good," he said.

As for the contestants' mentor, fashion consultant Tim Gunn, Sario said, “I adore him. I respect his feedback."

He likewise revealed his favorite judges in the show. "I have to say I'm torn between Nina [Garcia] and Michael Kors."

Sario added the show pushed him to acquire new skills.

"To be able to see myself grow from the day I tried out for the show, and now...it's insane," said the Pinoy designer.

Whether he wins the coveted Project Runway title or not, Sario says he knows he will make it big as a designer.

"I need to find ways to accomplish this dream of mine. This is what I want to do.  This is my calling," said Sario, who plans to launch his own line both in the US and the Philippines. Balitang America