By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” Marcos created quite a stir when she walked the red carpet ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives on Monday.
Sen. Imee Marcos in a golden yellow sleeveless gown by Mark Tumang (photo by Noel Pabalate)
Wearing a golden yellow gown created by Mark Tumang, the same designer who won acclaim for his “Mayon” inspired creation worn by 2019 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, Marcos sashayed her way to the media at the sidelines, admitting she personally chose the color of the dress to make a political statement.
“Tapos na ang election! (Let’s) Move forward! Magkaisa ulit,” Marcos told reporters in an interview.
Yellow is the political color of the Liberal Party, which supported President Benigno Aquino III’s presidential bid in 2010. Supporters of the Liberal Party are popularly branded “Dilawan.”
The gown, which Tumang named for Marcos as “La Filigrina,” was inspired by Philippine crafts and jewelry, with its gold tambourine swags and medallions accentuating the sunset ombre “solihiya-inspired” fabric, creating a reddish hue at the hem.
Though red and blue were the campaign colors used by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, his son Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wore red as his political color when he ran for senator and when he aspired for the vice presidency.
“Pinagkaisa ko na,” the senator said referring to the red color effect of the gown. “Sawa na ako sa bangayan.”
According to Tumang, the gown was meant to inspire the viewer “to look beyond political colors.”
“This is a testament of the ever-relevant challenge for all of us to look beyond political colors. Rather, be inspired by our forefathers’ courage and bravery which ensure that the light of the sun will always shine bright bringing hope for our beloved country,” the designer said.
“We all need to work hand in hand together, to make our country truly a ‘bayang magiliw’,” he said.