The terno as we know it today is from the Spanish word terno, meaning matched. Originally, the term referred to a set of matching camisa or blouse and sobrefaldo or overskirt, replete with a panuelo, meaning kerchief. While this set later became known as the traje de mestiza, the terno through our history had evolved into a continuous garment, a dress—now either long or short—which has since come to distinguish itself from other dresses by its regal butterfly sleeves.

More than the national dress, more than the indigenous fabrics, more than the traditional patterns, more than the history embodied in the dress, the revival of the terno as well as other variations of the Filipiniana over the last decade is a celebration of the Filipina.

Beginning last month, in commemoration of women’s month, Kultura has launched a series featuring amazing Filipinas in various fields of excellence. They have each been chosen for embodying what it means to be an empowered Filipina in today’s society.

The series, which runs until May, has been showcasing one Filipina a week on the social media pages of Kultura.

SENATORIAL STATEMENT Senator Grace Poe in floral print terno top with asymmetrical hem, white South Sea pearl studs, and white South Sea pearl bracelet from Kultura
HIGH-FLYING Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco in white cotton jacquard terno top, Mikado silk skirt, and South Sea pearl stud earrings with diamonds from Kultura
AWARD-WINNING Restaurateur Ana de Ocampo in puff-sleeved printed top with zigzag ribbon trim from Kultura
MADE TO WIN Olympian swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi in embroidered organza cropped camisa with ruffled collar, accessorized with handbeaded faux amethyst earrings and eye-catching crystal bangles
KNOWLEDGE CHAMPION Educator Felicia Hung Atienza in button-down terno-sleeved top in floral brocade with freshwater coin pearl cluster necklace and freshwater pearl rings from Kultura
FIT FOR PROGRESS Fitness coach Patricia Gatus in red silk terno top with floral-print sleeves, triplestrand dangling earrings, gold-plated necklace with freshwater pearls, and pearl and metal-link bracelet
V FOR VICTORY Volleyball player Michelle Cobb in ikat weave cropped terno top, baroque pearl choker, pearl earrings, and pearl ring
IN THE NEWS Journalist MJ Marfori in abstract print terno bolero and matching skirt with pearl rings with leaf accents and necklace of colored stones, filigree, and square-shaped pearls from Kultura
SOUND MIND Mental health advocate Steph Naval in handpainted floral organza kimona with black pearl pendant necklace, black and white pearl bangle, and sterling silver ring
BEAUTY QUEEN Laura Lehmann in floral print terno bolero, quartz dangling earrings, red beaded necklace with baroque pearl pendant, red bead cluster bangle, and sterling silver ring with semi-precious stones

The campaign, “#CelebrateEveryFilipina,” is a salute to their strengths and virtues as well as a form of thanksgiving for their acts of love that nurture and care for us. It honors them for being the light of our homes, for being the soul sisters who have our backs and lift us up, for being the artisans behind our handicrafts and local industries, and for their wisdom, grace, and resilience and the many roles they play in our communities.

So far, some of the Filipinas featured are women in public service like Senator Grace Poe and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, women in business like restauranteur Ana de Ocampo, and women in sports and fitness like Olympic swimmer Jasmine Alkahadi, volleyball player Michelle Cobb, and fitness coach Patricia Gatus. Also celebrated are women with meaningful advocacies, such as educator and Philippine Eagle advocate Felicia Hung Atienza and mental health advocate Steph Naval, as well inspirational women like broadcast journalist MJ Marfori and beauty queen Laura Lehmann.

On Kultura’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages, each of the featured Filipinas, dressed in modern Filipiniana, is given the space for a week to share their thoughts, tips, and personal experiences not just on being an empowered woman, but on uplifting other women as well.

“An empowered Filipina,” as Senator Grace Poe puts it, “is someone who is confident, who can stand up for herself, but an even stronger Filipina is somebody who can stand up for everybody else.”