While the State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an official ceremony meant to serve as an update on the country’s current situationcebuwin, the red carpet has become something of a showcase for Filipino fashion.
This year’s SONA has been dubbed the “biggest in Philippine history” based on confirmed attendees, with not just lawmakers and governing figures, but also their wives and a few celebrities.
However, the year’s SONA came with stricter guidelines. House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco emphasized that outfits with derogatory or political messages were banned. “This is a formal event. We will be very strict in the expression of protest in a SONA outfit,” citing the example that a jeep illustration for example would be permissible but a flat-out slogan such as “No to jeepney modernization” would not be allowed.
Photo from RTVM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. set the tone of the affairs, wearing a neutral, no-designer Barong Tagalog crafted by artisans from Lucban, Taal, and Aklan.
While the outfits are many, several ensembles captured the attention and showcased the talent of Filipino designers.
READ MORE: 9 takeaways from SONA 2024
1. Michael Leyva for Heart Evangelista
Photo from Michael Leyva Instagram
As the wife of Senate President Chiz Escudero and head of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Heart Evangelista’s SONA outfits always draw attention.
This year, she continued to opt for all-white ensembles, now by Michael Leyva. The designs take a more tailored and understated approach compared to previous years.
Fashion designer Leyva was also busy this SONA 2024, designing ternos for several attendees, including Laguna Congresswoman Marlyn Alonte, Marikina Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, Special Envoy to the UAE Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, and Office of the President staff Dina Arroyo Tantoco.
READ MORE: SONA look back: A decade of Heart Evangelista’s iconic white outfits
2. Joel Acebuche for Senator Risa Hontiveros
Photo from Risa Hontiveros Instagram
Senator Hontiveros, a long-time supporter of Joel Acebuche’s designs, wore a more traditional outfit featuring a hand-embroidered piña bodice. She accessorized with a knit rainbow pin supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, complemented with shoes from the century-old Marikina shoemaker Zapateria.
On her Instagram post, Senator Hontiveros writes, “Tara, magtrabaho na tayo!”
3. Puey Quiñones for Marga Nograles
Photo from Marga Nograles Instagram
Marga Nograles, COO of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board, wore a Puey Quiñones gown adorned with sheer circular details. She paired it with a necklace with a tambourine from her mother, reinvented with seed pearls by Filipino jewelry designer Oskar Atendido.
4. Mark Bumgarner for Undersecretary Em Villar
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Emmeline Aglipay-Villar turned heads in a Mark Bumgarner creation featuring a dramatic silhouette in indigo blue with a satiny material. The ensemble was complemented by Riqueza Jewellery and a bag from Valdes Designs.
READ MORE: Emmeline Aglipay-Villar on finding and giving second chances
5. Jo Rubio for Mayor Honey Lacuna
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Manila’s first female mayor, Honey Lacuna, wore a black terno by Jo Rubio. The dress featured dramatic black and gold hand-beaded embellishments inspired by the gold jewelry of Ongpin, paying homage to early Filipino-Chinese merchants.
6. Randolf for Congressman Toff De Venecia
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Pangasinan Congressman Toff De Venecia, known for his support of creative and artistic industries, wore a daring bangus-inspired barong jacket by Randolf Clothing for the opening of Congress.
7. Antique artisans and Puey Quiñones for Sen. Loren Legarda
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Senator Loren Legarda, a consistent advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights and culture, wore an ensemble featuring an Aklan piña barong top and patadyong wrap-around skirt from Antique, created in collaboration with designer Puey Quiñones.
She wrote on her Instagram, “I decided to wear my beloved patadyong as part of my #OOTD to stress the importance of supporting local fabrics in the country.”
8. Randy Ortiz for Nancy Binay
Photo from Inquirer Files
Senator Nancy Binay’s terno by Randy Ortiz showcased a bodice with calado patterns and vintage beadwork, with fabric handloom-woven by Aklan artisans. Prior to the 2024 SONA, she posted throwbacks of previous fashion looks and sneak peeks of the designs, building excitement for the dress.
9. Anonymous designers for Imee Marcos
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Known for her more daring style choices, Senator Imee Marcos wore a gown inspired by Fernando Amorsolo’s “Planting Rice” painting for the opening of Congress. She did not credit the designer in her IG posts.
Photo from Inquirer Files
She later donned a Moro warrior-inspired outfit for the SONA red carpet, accompanied by her son Borgy Manotoc.
10. Avel Bacudio for Amenah Pangandaman
Photo by Margaux Salcedo/Philippine Daily Inquirer
In every SONA, there is the occasional design that shows Mindanao representation in reworking the classic Filipiniana. Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman paid tribute to her Mindanao heritage with a royal purple and gold dress that reimagines traditional weaves, designed by Avel Bacudio.
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