When we think of Filipino fashion, it is hard not to imagine the timeless look of the Philippine terno. Adapted from the traje de mestiza during the Spanish colonization era, the terno was first worn by Filipino women in the 1900s. While in the 1920s, its much-relaxed version, the balintawak, gained popularity. Earlier this year, we saw Filipino designers’ modern take on the balintawak thanks to Ternocon III, a design contest and convention led by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Suyen Corporation. And after gracing the stage of Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez Black Box Theater, the contemporary balintawak dresses are making their way to some of the premier shopping destinations of the capital.
This April, Ayala Malls is putting the spotlight on Filipino design talents through “Bravo! Filipino,” a festival that celebrates local heritage and culture in the fields of arts, food, and fashion. An idea first conceived by Ayala Chairman Emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala in 2008, “Bravo! Filipino” is set to bring Filipino artistry closer to the people with its two events, one of which is the Ternocon III Exhibit.
Balintawak creations by Glyn Alley Magtibay, Dennis Lustico, and Marc Carcillar
From April 12 to 16, Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, Greenbelt Gallery, and the Ayala Museum Lobby will be the home of the winning and iconic works by Ternocon III’s roster of designers. Glorietta Activity Center will present the works of Ternocon III winners Yssa Inumerable (Gold), Gabbie Sarenas (Silver), and Glady Rose Pantua, (Bronze), as well as their fellow finalists Cheetah Rivera, Geom Hernandez, Dee Javier, Amor Albano, Glyn Alley Magtibay, Bon Hansen Reyes, Bree Esplanada, Karl Nadales, Al Rey Rosano, and Marc Carcillar.
Meanwhile, the works of designers Joey Samson and Hannah Adrias will be exhibited at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center; while designer Dennis Lustico’s works will be at Greenbelt Gallery; and style-duo Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo’s works can be viewed at the Ayala Museum Lobby.
Apart from the Terncon III exhibit, “Bravo! Filipino” also invites everyone to witness a series of ballet shows featuring award-winning Filipino classical pianist Cecile Licad with the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. The gala show will commence at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati on April 20. To foster a wider and more diverse community of art enthusiasts, this will be followed by public shows and first performance outside of Metro Manila at Ayala Center Cebu and Ayala Malls Abreeza on April 22 and 23, respectively. Select students from Cebu and Davao will also have the opportunity to participate in a masterclass led by Stella Abrera and the artistic director of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Sascha Radetsky.
“Filipinos are passionate, creative, innovative, resourceful,” says Ayala Malls President Christopher Maglanoc. “There are so many ways to describe local talent, and that’s why we initiated ‘Bravo! Filipino.’ It is an avenue to display our heritage and culture. It shows and communicates our history and our hopes, our present, and our future.”
For more information, visit www.ayalamalls.com or head to @AyalaMalls360 on Facebook and @iloveayalamalls on Instagram.
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