After the COVID-19 pandemic denied some of the country’s most visible fashionistas from strutting their stuff two years in a row on the Batasang Pambansa red carpet, they’re now back in style, acting as a prelude to the newly elected president’s highly anticipated State of the Nation Address. Dressed in their respective ideas of Filipiniana-inspired fashion–from traditional as well as stylized ternos to redefined ensembles made of intricate beadwork and indigenous fabrics–by some of the industry’s leading designers and artisans, these personalities provide us not only with a touch of glamor, but perhaps also with a ray of hope for a country trying to inch its way back to normalcy.
Compiled by Alex Y. Vergara and Angelica Demegillo
The Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City rolled out the red carpet hours before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made his first State of the Nation Address as the country’s 17th chief executive. It was as if the ongoing pandemic didn’t exist as some of the country’s most prominent politicians and their significant others chose to ditch their face masks as they made their way to the gallery to hear what the president had to say.
Outfits worn by some of the country’s most prominent politicians and their spouses, department secretaries, bureucrats and socialites on the SONA red carpet have become a separate show in and of themselves, often nearly eclipsing the main event. This year, a mixture of traditional and modern ternos, and tribal wear made by celebrated as well as little-known local designers took centerstage, with white, black, ecru and blush dominating the color spectrum.
First Lady Liza Marcos in a white and black Lesley Mobo terno fashioned from piña-calado, victorian lace and gold thread.
Straying away from the usual Filipiniana attire, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, with Rep. Rufus Rodriguez in second photo, dons a borrowed traditional dress from Bagobo Tagabawa tribe of Davao City. (Photos from the Philippine Star and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez)
Sen. Loren Legarda repurposes a white vintage Filipiniana ensemble by Patis Tesoro. The outfit, she says, took over a year to put together. (Philippine Star)
Tootsy Angara, wife of Sen. Sonny Angara, in an white off-shoulder Michael Leyva gown with embroidered bodice and skirt inspired by the “modern Maria Clara.”
Sen. Imee Marcos, in Edgar Buyan’s royal blue printed terno top and matching pants that pay homage to the senator’s “heart for agriculture,” earlier in the day.
She later slips into this pinkish gray terno by Jan Garcia
Em Aglipay-Villar, wife of Sen. Mark Villar, in a piña ensemble the former justice undersecretary got from Lulu Tan Gan a few years ago.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco in a white Jun Escario terno embellished with antique brooches and pearls, and sheath made of tulle and lace.
Marga Nograles, creative director of Kaayo and wife of Civil Service chair Karlo Nograles, in an aqua blue and gold terno with handwoven details by Maguindanaons of South Cotabato.
Sen Grace Poe in a black and white terno by Kaayo with bodice made BY Sabangan inabel weavers of Ilocos and accented by beadwork from the TBoli tribe of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.
Congresswoman Len Alonte in Michael Leyva’s white terno made of lace anddraped tulle detail
Sen. Nancy Binay in Michael Leyva’s white draped terno earlier in the day
She later changes into a traditional Filipiniana terno by Randy Ortiz made of piña and adorned with callado embroidery on the sleeves and sampaguita cutouts on the front and back.
Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian is perhaps the hands-down winner in “best accessory,” as he attends the SONA with statuesque girlfriend Bianca Manalo in peach chiffon terno by Jo Rubio.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna in a fuchsia terno with thigh-high slit and sculpted sleeve by Jo Rubio
Sheila Romero, wife of Rep. Mikey Romero, in a modernized Maria Clara by Joey Samson
Audrey Zubiri, wife of Senate President Migz Zubiri, in a Cary Santiago terno
Rep. Caroline Tanchay of Sagip Partylist opts to wear bright Michael Leyva terno with barong-inspired embroidery.
Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, with husband, laywer and former congressman Miro Quimbo, wears Michael Leyva’s idea of a modern Filipiniana gown inspired by the embroidered barong.
