As requested by the memo issued by House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza, attendees of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s first State of the Nation Address Monday wore the appropriate formal garb: barong Filipino for men and Filipiniana dress for women. Attires with political messages were banned but we spotted a few attendees who couldn’t help but carry a statement detail here and there. Many were clearly excited about their looks they were taking pictures and posting their OOTDs online even before they hit the senate halls.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos
The two-toned terno of the First Lady was designed by Aklan-born fashion designer Lesley Mobo and made of piña calado, Victorian lace and a heavy stretch georgette. Her shoes were by Lila Almario.
Sen. Nancy Binay
Veteran fashion designer Randy Ortiz made the all-piña terno of the senator. The sleeves feature calado embroidery while the front and back bodice were accentuated with sampaguita cutouts.
Sen Risa Hontiveros
The senator wore Joel Acebuche’s modern take on the traditional baro’t saya. It’s made from Aklan piña fabric which were hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna. She completed the look with a hand-woven Tikog bag from Samar and a pair of Marikina-made pumps.
Sen. JV Ejercito
“The Good One” flexed his black Oxfords even before hitting the Senate halls Monday. “Gibi shoes, syempre gawang Marikina! GIBI for JV!🤣” said his Facebook post.
Kath Yu Pimentel
Senator Koko Pimentel’s better half donned a modern ombré blue Filipiniana by Michael Leyva.
Sen. Imee Marcos
In Jan Garcia’s “pearl gray karakol sleeved terno.”
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles
The new Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) is ready for action in a Dobie Aranda creation, which Angeles describes as a modern take on Maria Clara with a “samurai vibe.”
Sen. Grace Poe
The senator showcased Filipino artistry thru her Kaayo Modern Mindanao ensemble. “Sa pagbubukas ng sesyon ng Senado, suot natin ang pang-itaas na gawa ng Sabangan Inabel weavers ng Ilocos na pinaganda pa ng masining na beadwork ng TBoli tribe ng Lake Sebu ng South Cotabato,” she wrote on Instagram.
Heart Evangelista
The fashionista wife of Senator Chiz Escudero rocked an all-white custom modern terno by her friend Mark Bumgarner. She accessorized her look with a white pearl choker necklace, stacks of gold, white gold, and red bracelets, and a white Hermes Kelly Mini bag.
Tootsy Angara
Senator Sonny Angara’s wife, advertising executive Tootsy, looks every inch a fashion royalty in a white Maria Clara-inspired gown by Michael Leyva.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco
The lady wore a terno by Cebuano fashion designer Jun Escario and it’s apparently loaded with meaning and significance. “Embellished with antique brooches and pearls and a sheath made of tulle and lace, the white silk terno reflects our desire to cast a wide net of collaboration to all stakeholders across the Philippines as represented in the pearls, in line with the effort to achieve the President’s vision of an inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative approach to developing the tourism industry as a major contributor to our nation’s post-pandemic recovery,” she captioned her photo on Instagram.
Jaja Chiongbian Rama
The wife of Rep. Eduardo Rama of the South District of Cebu City wore an embellished knee-length terno by Cebuano fashion designer Cary Santiago.
Rep. Eduardo Rama Jr.
The congressman, south district representative of Cebu City, posted a photo of himself in a suit on Instagram.
Audrey Tan-Zubiri
Here with husband Sen. Miguel Zubiri, before he was proclaimed Senate President. She is wearing a pink number by Cary Santiago, which she paired with earrings from @riquezajewellery.
Rep. Len Alonte-Naguiat
The Biñan, Laguna rep in a classic white Filipiniana gown by Michael Leyva.
Bianca Manalo
Beauty queen-turned-actress and now Senator Win Gatchalian’s SO, Bianca Manalo, in an apricot draped terno embellished with fresh water pearls and Austrian crystals by fashion designer Jo Rubio.
Marga Nograles
Marga Nograles, wife of Civil Service Commission chairperson Karlo Nograles and founder of Kaayo Modern Mindanao fashion line, wore a custom terno handwoven by the Maguindanao Tribe of South Cotabato and hand-beaded by the Tboli tribe of Lake Sebu. She paired it with a purse from @beatriz_accessories.
Rep. Raoul Manuel
Kabataan Party-list representative Raoul Manuel in a barong hand-painted with a blue phoenix design by artist Albert Raqueno. “Ito rin ang barong na suot ko noon sa graduation bilang summa cum laude. Now the barong has fresh meaning dahil bitbit na niya ang Youth Agenda,” said Manuel in a tweet.
Rep. France Castro
ACT Teachers representative France Castro highlighted the party list’s advocacies with a black shawl handsewn and hand-painted by Roja Castillo, a volunteer for the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. “The black shawl represents the darkness brought by the return of a Marcos in Malacañang and the proliferation of disinformation and historical distortion,” the party list’s Facebook post stated. The representative’s shawl also featured a teacher holding a hand sewn torch that symbolizes the educator’s role of bringing truth and hope.
Rep. Arlene Brosas
Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela Women’s Party attended the SONA in a Filipiniana attire hand-painted by activist-artist and high school art teacher Michael Joselo of Altermidya - People’s Alternative Media Network. Brosas’ outfit depicts women’s struggle against rising costs of basic necessities amid the “Era of Golden Prices.”
Lani Cayetano and Alan Peter Cayetano
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano both wore creations by designer Michael Leyva. The mayor donned a classic lilac Filipiniana dress while the senator sported a piña cocoon embroidered barong.
Jocelyn Tulfo
Jocelyn Tulfo, representative of ACT-CIS Party-list and wife of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, wore a blue Filipiana gown embellished with floral accents.
Mayor Honey Lacuna
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna in a magenta modern Filipiniana by Jo Rubio.
Emmeline Aglipay Villar and Mark Villar
Former Justice undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar, shown here with husband Senator Mark Villar, in a piña dress accentuated with beaded embroidery that she got from designer Lulu Tan Gan years ago.
Dr. Milen Aquino Gonzalez
Dr. Milen Aquino Gonzales, wife of Marino Partylist Rep. Sandro Gonzales, looks stunning in a Marlon Tuazon off-shoulder gown.
Rep. Geraldine Roman
Bataan’s 1st district representative Geraldine Roman in a cream-colored dress.
Gov. Miriam Mangudadatu
Maguindanao governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu in a red Inaul gown by Muslim fashion designer Mac Taug.
Mayor Abby Binay
Makati City Mayor Abby in designer Anthony Ramirez’s “modern take on a classic Patis Tesoro silhouette.”
Gianna Revilla and Bong Revilla
Senator Bong Revilla in a classic barong with embroidery and daughter Gianna Revilla-Patricio in a nude form-fitting dress.
Angelica Alita Revilla
The wife of Cavite Vice-Governor Jolo Revilla in a fringe Filipiniana adorned with floral paillettes.
Rachel Peters
The First Lady of the province of Camarines Sur, Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters, looks elegant in a cream terno by Mark Bumgarner.
Rep. Toff de Venecia
Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia representing his province in a bangus-themed barong by experimental fashion designer Kelvin Morales.
Nikki Benitez
The wife of Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod in a woven terno dress by Ivar Aseron.
