Despite the deluge of celebrities and other stylish personalities, Vice President Sara Duterte was the belle of the ball at the opening session of the 19th Congress leading to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25, while wearing a Bagobo Tagabawa traditional dress.
Duterte, who serves as Education secretary in a concurrent capacity, turned heads of congressmen as she attended the historic event held at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Warm applause from lawmakers greeted former President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter when she was introduced on the floor while donning the traditional dress instead of the usual Filipiniana.
Wearing a face mask and a traditional headdress with her hair tied in a braid, the Vice President was photographed smiling behind her mask.
Her spokesman, lawyer Reynold Munsayac said the Vice President wore the traditional dress to honor her 'kababayan' from the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe of Davao City.
Munsayac said Duterte borrowed the Bagobo attire from Deputy Mayor of Davao City Tagabawa tribe Bae Sheirelle Anino.
“Unfortunately, an entire ensemble would take over a month to make by tribal artisans, which will not make it on time for Monday’s SONA,” he earlier said.