Fashion may be farthest from the topics that will be discussed at today’s State of the Nation Address of the President. But, as in the past two SONAs, Filipino flair is always front and center at the red carpet, with the brand of “ostentatious extravagance” enjoying a resurgence. In contrast to movie premieres, awards ceremonies or film festivals, the SONA red carpet has an unwritten cardinal rule: wear only creations made by Filipino designers and artisans.
ON July 25, 2022, the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City was filled with thousands of people—some better dressed and more appropriately than others—to witness the first SONA of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, wore a royal blue terno top with pants designed by Edgar Buyan for the opening of the 19th Congress.
In her Instagram post, Sen. Imee said that the ensemble symbolized “the Marcoses’ heart for agriculture.” She later changed into a Jan Garcia terno for the SONA.
Basking in the victory of the “Unity” ticket, Vice President Inday Sara Duterte honored the artisans of vote-rich Mindanao. In a post on her socials, she stated: “ State of the Nation Address Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bagobo Tagabawa.
“ Bae Sheirelle Anino, deputy Tagabawa tribe, Davao City.” Senator and Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros wore a traditional made of fabric from Aklan, and hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna. Designed by Joel Acebuche, she paired the ensemble with a handcrafted Tikog clutch from Samar and beige pumps made in Marikina.
New toast of fashion, Michael Leyva reportedly created about 700 outfits for the 2022 SONA. A standout was the one worn by Sen. Nancy Binay, whose sense of style has vastly improved.
Marga Nograles, chairman of the Tourism Promotions Board, wore an outfit from her brand, a Kaayo Modern Mindanao custom terno handwoven by the Maguindanao Tribe of South Cotabato and hand-beaded by the Tboli Tribe of Lake Sebu. It was made of inaul, the traditional handwoven cloth of the Maguindanaoan. Audrey Tan Zubiri, the wife of then-Senate President Miguel Zubiri, looked dainty in a pink Filipiniana silhouette dress.
“Loving my @carysantiago7 original creation and the stunning earrings of @riquezajewellery,” she posted. Another Cary Santiago muse was Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda K.
Romualdez, wife of Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez. As Yedda Marie Mendoza Kittelsvedt, she was Binibining Pilipinas International 1996, and she wasn’t the only Binibini on the SONA red carpet. Also exemplifying the “pretty, captivating, so exciting” Filipina were Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo, girlfriend of Sen.
Sherwin Gatchaian, who wore a Jo Rubio terno; and Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters, wife of Fifth District of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, who wore Mark Bumgarner. Back when she was still a muse of Mark Bumgarner, GMA actress and Sen.
Chiz Escudero’s wife Heart Evangelista was immaculate in an all-white Filipiniana ensemble. Also lending showbiz glitter was Dawn Zulueta, who was exquisite in a vintage Pepito Albert that she said, “I have never worn.” Her husband Anton Lagdameo Jr.
is the special assistant to the President. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco proudly wore fellow Cebuano Jun Escario’s work, which she described as part of “the effort to achieve the President’s vision of an inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative approach to developing the tourism industry as a major contributor to our nation’s post-pandemic recovery.” A strong advocate of traditional Philippine textiles whose passion is to promote the indigenous artistry and craftsmanship of Filipinos and support their livelihood, Sen.
Loren Legarda was the poster girl for Filipiniana. She proudly wrote on her socials: “At the opening of the 19th Congress, I chose to wear an old Patis Tesoro kimona made of piña, which has been with me for more than two decades. “This fine piece is made of piña cloth from Aklan and was created for more than a year by embroiderers of Lumban, Laguna.
I wore slip-on mules by @tish.ph. Marikina-made of course! Old tambourine necklaces from my late Mama, and one from my dear Ilocana .
Wearing memories on my neck.” THE terno still enthralls. And so do the the and the Tagalog.
They were all displayed proudly at the President’s second SONA held on July 24, 2023. GMA actress Heart Evangelista, wife of Sen. Chiz Escudero, proved once again why she is deemed a global fashion icon.
This time, though, she was the muse of Michael Leyva, who made her an understated column gown embellished with pearls and beads for the SONA. Heart wore an outstanding piece, an ivory terno jumpsuit by Ivarluski Aseron, during the opening of the Senate session. Raising the rainbow flag was LGBTQIA+ advocate, news anchor and actress KaladKaren, who wore a vibrant purple Filipiniana by Martin Bautista.
Beauty queen and actress Bianca Manalo, wearing a simple and sophisticated creation by Jo Rubio, was the best-dressed. The dress was reminiscent of the unforgettable terno worn by Miss Venezuela Minorka Mercado during a Miss Universe 1994 prepageant activity. The former London-based designer Lesley Mobo unleashed his eye-catching ternos.
They were worn by Tootsy Angara, wife of Sen. Sonny Angara, and by Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, in an ivory color with deep red flowers and with tassels over its butterfly sleeves; and by the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, a terno made of piña with hand-embroidered florals. Back when they still sparked joy in each other’s company, Mrs.
Marcos sat with Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte. Both were clad in the color of joy: yellow. The VP wrote on her socials last year: “ Bangala Moro Mindanao.
Bangala Israel Ellah Ungkakay mula Cotabato City ay may kasamang inaul— local fabric cotton silk, Maguindanao.” Image credits:.
