On June 30 at the National Museum in Manila City, a new chapter began for the Philippines as Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. officially became the 17th President of the country. Like the annual State of the Nation Address, the event was attended by Filipino leaders, all expressing their support for the new administration and their best hopes for the country. One way they showed it was by donning barongs and Filipinianas.
Much like what the new President posted a day before his inauguration, “Wala nang mas angkop pang kasuotan bukas kundi ang gawang Pinoy! Iwagayway ang damdaming makabayan sa isip, salita at, pati na rin sa pananamit!” From barongs celebrating local textiles to modern takes on the classic ternos, below are some of the Filipino style moments we saw during the President’s inauguration.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Pepito Albert
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked the beginning of his leadership with a contemporary barong designed by Pepito Albert from Taal, Batangas. The piece was inspired by the rayadillo, blue-and-white striped cotton or flannel material used for soldiers’ uniforms during the Spanish invasion.
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio
Stripped off her green campaign color, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio wore terno dress in cream with floral embellishments and a draped bottom.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in Lesley Mobo
Fashion designer Lesley Mobo created a piece imbued with embroideries of the Sampaguita, the country’s National Flower, for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. The dress was paired with pumps by Lila Almario of Greggs Frame.
“The dress itself is a simple, elegant, classic-layered column terno dress in vintage piña but with a touch of modernity. Overlaid with small side panels of hand-loomed piña puro, piña seda, piña sinuksuk, it is lined with a shade of polvoron-colored Regency corded lace in a tropical flora pattern,” the designer told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “The front and back of the dress were decorated and adorned with blooming and budding Sampaguita flowers (The Philippine National Flower), intricately hand-embroidered by artisans in Batangas in the style of 18thC Filipino embroiderers, using the craftsman techniques of Calado.”
Senator Imee Marcos wearing her own design, crafted by Rem Divino
Senator Imee Marcos wore a dress she designed with the help of fashion designer Rem Divino. The pale blue gown is adorned with “restored lockets, chains, and pendants as embellishments, these were all gifts from her father—former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.”
Toni Gonzaga in Mark Bumgarner
Actress and host Toni Gonzaga sang the National Anthem of the Philippines during the President’s inauguration. For the event, she wore a white terno look designed by Mark Bumgarner. Inspired by the style of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the piece is completed with a custom Sampaguita brooch.
Isabelle Daza in Vania Romoff
Congresswoman Daphney Lagon in Philip Rodriguez
Audrey Tan Zubiri in Cary Santiago
Alexandra Rocha Araneta in Lesley Mobo
Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter and let’s talk about it.