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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider People and Events devider When butterfly sleeves flutter: The ternos of the 61st Hijos de Davao gala

When butterfly sleeves flutter: The ternos of the 61st Hijos de Davao gala

Published Jul 14, 2025 05:02 pm
By Jinggoy I. Salvador
Just as this decades-old tradition is passed from one generation to the next, wouldn’t it be fitting to hand down the ternos and barongs as well?
The debut of a terno will always be special. Fresh out of a cocoon, the butterfly takes flight, fluttering, flaunting wings that are so unique. Now imagine a ballroom of elegantly-clad women and maidens. In Davao City, that’s an annual phenomenon.
Every June 29th for 61 years now, the ballrooms of Davao’s hotels have witnessed the regalia of the Hijos de Davao. Every year new butterflies emerge. Lately, the formal affair has seen a resurgence of ternos from the past—designer pieces once wporn by moms and grandmas in previous galas. What was current then is vintage today, and vintage pieces exude a look and appeal from an era that cannot be replicated.
Perhaps the most numerous vintage ternos spotted were at the 50th Anniversary in 2015—a glittery affair where Pitoy Morenos, Casimiro Abads, Salvacion Lim-Higgins, and Alfonso Guino-os rubbed sleeves with creations of sought-after contemporary designers.
This year's muse Ayisha Madlen T. Lagdameo, daughter of Anton and Dawn Lagdameo, escorted by Seve Diago, son of Rene and Claudine Diago.
This year's muse Ayisha Madlen T. Lagdameo, daughter of Anton and Dawn Lagdameo, escorted by Seve Diago, son of Rene and Claudine Diago.
This year is no different. In the 61st Hijos de Davao gala at the Dusti Davao Grand Ballroom, the mother-daughter tandem of Tina Tionko and Lea Imperial donned vintage Rudy Dandans. Tina’s in its original state (blessed are those who can still fit into their ternos from decades ago), and on Lea, an upcycled piece salvaging the original appliques onto a new terno by Aries Buenvenida. Malouchi Gahol’s Alfonso Guino-o piece with floral details once again bloomed in another Hijos de Davao affair.
Tasha Fortich in Joh Belandres, Malouchi Gahol in vintage Alfonso Guino-o, and Gemma Velez in Bobby Castillo copy (1)
Tasha Fortich in Joh Belandres, Malouchi Gahol in vintage Alfonso Guino-o, and Gemma Velez in Bobby Castillo copy (1)
There were fresh sightings of ternos, with most curtsying at the Rigodon de Honor. Tonette Tionko was a modern-day Maria Clara in Louis Claparols, while sister Tetel, whose turn came as a “Costado” dancer, inherited Tonette’s Oj Hofer pink lace drama. Gemma Velez shone like a gem in a pastel floral piece by Bobby Castillo, who also dressed young Sonia Sitjar in a deep jewel tone.
Bebot Estanislao in Erwin Tan, Lea Imperial in Aries Buenvenida with upcycled Rudy Dadan appliques, and Antonette Tionko in Louis Claparols
Bebot Estanislao in Erwin Tan, Lea Imperial in Aries Buenvenida with upcycled Rudy Dadan appliques, and Antonette Tionko in Louis Claparols
Malu Monteverde in Kenny Ledaga, Sophie Sitjar in Bobby Castillo, and Tetel Tionko in Oj Hofer
Malu Monteverde in Kenny Ledaga, Sophie Sitjar in Bobby Castillo, and Tetel Tionko in Oj Hofer
Honorable Consul to Mexico Malu Monteverde was striking in pink with beaded bodice by Kenny Ledaga, while Bebot Estanislao was radiant in Erwin Tan’s terno with swirling pleated straps. Jewelry designer Joan Pamintuan exhibited her admirable creativity with a terno top made of hand-crocheted copper wire.
Christiana Ong in JC Buendia, Dennise Taojo-Kaur in Denis Lustic, and Dawn Lagdameo in Inno Sotto
Christiana Ong in JC Buendia, Dennise Taojo-Kaur in Denis Lustic, and Dawn Lagdameo in Inno Sotto
The pearl-toned numbers were divine. Dawn Lagdameo opted to don a classic champagne column gown by Inno Sotto. JC Buendia kept it young for Christiana Ong with a pearly white terno with slim bow belt in black, while John Belandres detailed Tasha Fortich’s ivory terno with ebony floral details. Denise Taojo-Kaur was striking in a contemporary frilled white number by Dennis Lustico.
If you ask me, I would love to see more vintage and even bequeathed Filipiniana finery in every Hijos de Davao affair. Beautiful butterflies need to fly no matter the era. Wearing it is something to be proud of. And it’s important to understand that just as the Hijos de Davao is an enduring tradition, so too is a beautifully designed terno—it transcends time and trends. (Photos courtesy of Hijos de Davao)
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