Senators on Monday, July 24 took the opportunity to showcase Filipino designs during the opening of the Senate’s Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress.
Senate President Loren Legarda wore an old 20-year-old pinya liniwan hand embroidered top designed by Filipina fashion designer and heritage conservationist Patis Tesoro, which were hand embroidered by the women of Lumban, Laguna.
(Photo courtesy of O/S Sen. Loren Legarda)
Legarda also wore a Marikina shoes made by entrepreneur and shoemaker Tish Sevilla, and a bag by renowned designer Carissa Cruz-Evangelista.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said the Philippine weaving tradition is Joel Acebuche, her designer’s inspiration for her ensemble, and translated it into a modern baro’t saya.
Hontiveros wore a hand embroidered piña calado, woven by the women weavers of Lumban, while the bodice is made of piña fabric cut into strips and woven into a banig-like pattern.
(Photo courtesy of O/S Sen. Risa Hontiveros)
Her shoes were soulfully made by Zapateria—a century old Marikina shoe maker. The shoes also have a woven design named after the senator’s aunt, Leonor. Hontiveros completed her outfit carrying a hand woven “tikog” purse made from Samar.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and wife, Heart Evangelista also turned heads during the opening of the Senate session. Escudero wore a Paul Cabral barong, while Heart wore an all-white Ivar Aseron ensemble.
(Photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)
Sen. Grace Poe, on the other hand, wore a simple Filipiniana by Marga Nograles, while Sen. Nancy Binay wore a Randy Ortiz fully-embroidered Filipiniana terno in pale powder blue with hints of dove gray geometric senepa abstract patterns and coupled with gilded "calado/lubid" accents all over.
Binay matched her ensemble with a cerulean Beatrice clutch bag.
(Photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)
(Photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)
Sen. Imelda "Imee" Marcos wore a purple ensemble by Jan Garcia.
(Photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)