SONA 2024 red carpet: Politicians’, celebrities’ outfits

MANILA, Philippines — For the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2024 in Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City today, the country’s leaders and their partners are wearing outfits that reflect different aspects of Filipino culture.

For his third SONA, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will wear a Barong Tagalog designed by artisans from Lucban, Taal, and Aklan.

Here are what other attendees are wearing at the SONA today:

• Presidential son and Ilocos Norte’s 1st congressional district Rep. Sandro Marcos wears a Barong Tagalog from Salvo

The Tulfos: Senator Raffy, Congresswoman Jocelyn, and Congressman Ralph – Raffy in an anahaw-inspired Barong by Rajo Laurel; Jocelyn Tulfo (ACT-CIS) in a Terno made of champagne gold silk lamé

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Sen. Robin Padilla in a Barong Tagalog made in Camarines Norte, with an undershirt bearing the word ‘kalayaan’

Philstar.com/Kristofer Purnell

• Sen. Grace Poe dons a white Paul Cabral Terno

Sen. Nancy Binay wears an all-Piña Terno handloom-woven by master artisans in Aklan, designed by Randy Ortiz. “The bodice has delicate calado patterns, vintage beadwork, and intricate dove-gray rose cutwork… skirt is adorned with motifs of palay rendered in grain-shaped pearl beads and finished with a flourish of calado floral embroidery at the hemline,” the senator’s office explained in a statement, adding that the outfit is as “support for local growers and weavers.”

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• Kathryn Yu-Pimentel, Sen. Auilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s wife, in Michael Leyva (Jhobes Estrella during Senate session)
• Chavit Singson in Francis Libiran
• Stella Quimbo (Marikina) in Michael Leyva

Sen. Bong Revilla in a customized Barong by Paul Cabral; Lani Mercado’s gown designed by Rajo Laurel. 

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Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, wife of Sen. Mark Villar, wore a 2017 design of a blue Terno by Mark Bumgarner she “requested to be resurrected.”

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• Sen. Win Gatchalian and girlfriend Bianca Manalo – Gatchalian in a Piña Callado Barong by Jo Rubio, with an embroidery to honor National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin and Manalo in a Chartreuse silk Terno by Jo Rubio, inspired by ylang-ylang

Sen. Pia Cayetano in an all-black, pleated dress by Mia Urquico, pearl earrings, necklace and a white clutch

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Some opposition lawmakers still pushed through with “protest” fashion despite an earlier directive from the House of Representatives banning such attire.

France Castro (ACT Teachers) and Arlene Brosas (Gabriela) both wore Filipiniana outfits by Francis Yu featuring artwork by Michael Joselo Villanueva.

France’s Filipiniana depicted a struggling family at a dinner table, while Arlene’s black Filipiniana gown had artwork depicting the fight over Philippine seas.

Another opposition member, Rep. Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Party List, wore a Barong by University of the Philippines Fine Arts student Albert Raqueño with a hand-painted protest artwork against the United States and China.
 

Barong Tagalog design by University of the Philippines Fine Arts student Albert Raqueño

Albert Raqueño via Instagram, screenshots

Rep. Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Party List

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— Videos by Philstar.com/Kristofer Purnell, EC Toledo; video editing by Anjilica Andaya

RELATED: SONA 2024: Francis Libiran reveals design for Kusug Tausug partylist representative