DRESS THE WORLD IN FILIPINIANA From left: Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel, French Ambassador Michele Boccoz, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Federal Republic of Nigeria Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye, Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Titanilla Tóth, Brunei Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji, Australian chargé d’affaires Moya Collett

On Independence Day, following a tradition that has had held sway since the time American governors-general in the Philippines observed it with pomp and pageantry on New Year’s Day, Malacañan Palace “threw open its doors” for an occasion now generally called vin d’honneur, “wine of honor” in French.

This traditional reception dates back to the time of George Washington, who would invite all, from various sectors of society, to the White House to welcome the New Year. The colonial leaders during the American period kept it going in the Philippines, as did Manuel Quezon when he became president of the Commonwealth in 1935.

Originally called “at home day” for the US president and his consort, the vin d’honneur, which has been referred to as such since the term of President Cory Aquino, is now officially held twice a year, on New Year’s Day and on Independence Day, June 12. It has also turned essentially into a diplomatic function, highlighted by a ceremonial toast between the President of the Philippines and the papal nuncio in his capacity as dean of the diplomatic corps.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown

This year’s June 12 vin d’honneur, which also marked the 125th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish rule, was a showcase of the Filipino dress, with the participation of many Filipino designers, who dressed up some of the female diplomats for the occasion held at the ceremonial hall of the palace. In head-turning formal wear crafted by some of the foremost Filipino designers, the lady ambassadors currently posted in the Philippines observed time-honored rituals, including walking up the main stairs from the State Entrance of the palace to be received by the president as head of state in a reception line and then escorted into the ceremonial hall to witness the president deliver some remarks, toast to the peace and prosperity of the Filipino people, and enjoin the international community in the noble pursuits of nation-building.

A FANTASTIC FEAST The vin d'honneur is held twice a year as a diplomatic function

The participation of the country’s foremost designers was an initiative supported by first lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos. Its aim was to showcase the unique talents of Filipino designers while also highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage, as expressed in the design of the gowns, as well as the local materials, such as weaves, and techniques used.

Among the envoys seen wearing custommade Filipiniana were Venezuelan Ambassador Capaya Rodriguez Gonzales in Randy Ortiz, German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel in Jun Escario, Hungarian Ambassador Titanilla Tóth in Dennis Lustico, French Ambassador Michele Boccoz in Puey Quiñones, Colombian Ambassador Marcela Ordoñez Fernandez in Avel Bacudio, Nigerian Ambassador Folakemi I. Akinleye in Joey Samson, Dutch Ambassador Maria Alfonsa Magdalena Geraedts in Milka Quin, Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg in JC Buendia, Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan of Brunei Darrusalam in Lulu Tan Gan, and Moya Collett, charge d’affaires of the Australian Embassy, in Ivarluski Aseron.

Other prominent designers present without their muses were Mark Bumgarner, Paul Cabral, Philip Rodriguez, Rajo Laurel, and Michael Leyva.

Rajo Laurel and Dennis Lustico

Although we were dressed for the occasion and the ceremonial hall was dressed elegantly, lush only with greenery and some very old, well-preserved refinements, bathed in a light that seemed to cast a golden sheen on everything, it was a convivial evening, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife mingling with the crowd.

I remember a conversation I had with PBBM’s mother, Imelda Marcos, on the beaches of Pagudpud, on which she showed up in a pantsuit refreshing in powder blue with her signature terno sleeves. We sat at a table for brunch under the shade of a tree, and she told me, “Sa Pilipino, bawal ang pangit (Among Filipinos, ugly is forbidden). That’s why good morning is not mahusay (efficient or capable) or magaling (excellent) or mabait (well-behaved) or mabuti (good-hearted), but maganda (beautiful).” Good morning translates to Pilipino as “magandang umaga,” just as good afternoon translates to “magandang hapon” and good evening translates to “magandang gabi.”

At the vin d’honneur, it was, indeed, a beautiful Philippines and a palace full of beautiful Filipinos, as well as friends from all corners of the world in beautiful Filipiniana.