Filipino fashion reigns supreme!
Almost a month after his inauguration, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. steps onto the stage again for his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). On July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, the event marks the first SONA with a full face-to-face set-up since the pandemic has begun. With that, this year’s SONA is graced by many attendees donning nothing but the best of Filipino fashion, from the most beautiful Filipinianas to contemporary reimaginations of the barong.
Vice President Sara Duterte
For the opening of the 19th Congress at the house of Representatives, Vice President Sara Duterte wore a borrowed look from a tribal leader in Davao City.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
Fashion designer Lesley Mobo designs an elegant terno dress for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. The dress is made of piña calado, victorian lace, and stretch georgette fabrics. She paired the look with shoes made by Lila Almario.
Senator Francis Escudero and Heart Evangelista
Looking dainty in white, actress and Vogue 100 muse Heart Evangelista dons a custom pleated terno dress by fashion designer Mark Bumgarner. While her husband Senator Francis Escudero dons a traditional barong. During the SONA, the couple both wore pieces by Bumgarner.
Senator Nancy Binay
Senator Nancy Binay dons a classic white Filipiniana by Michael Leyva.
Senator Risa Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros pays homage to the baro’t saya garb with Joel Acebuche’s Filipiniana look. The dress is made with piña textile from Aklan and features the hand embroideries of Lumban, Laguna.
Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas
Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas dons a dress with a design that presents “Filipino women's struggle against rising prices of oil, food, and basic necessities in the ‘Era of Golden Prices’ of the Marcos Jr. regime.” The artwork on the skirt is painted by activist-artist Michael Joselo of Altermidya - People’s Alternative Media Network.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel wears a barong look featuring an artwork by Albert Albert Raqueño, a member of the Kabataan Partylist National Office. According to the partylist’s posts, “the design extends to the back of the barong where the two hands converge into a phoenix symbolizing the never-ending rebirth of generational struggle toward genuine social change.”
Senator Mark Villar and wife Emmeline Aglipay
Senator Mark Villar and wife Emmeline Aglipay (wearing a Lulu Tan-Gan creation) on the red carpet of the opening of the 19th Congress at the house of Representatives.
Senator Imee Marcos
Following her custom Edgar Buyan terno and pants ensemble with a print that showcases “the Marcoses’ heart for Agriculture,” Senator Imee Marcos attends her brother’s SONA wearing a Jan Garcia creation.
Senator Robin Padilla
Senator Robin Padilla dons a barong he bought from a mall.
Senator Grace Poe
Senator Grace Poe wearing an elegant terno by Kaayo Modern Mindanao. The textile of the dress is handwoven by the Sabangan Inabel wavers and features the hand-beading work of the Tboli tribe of Lake Sebu.
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