It seems SONA fashion is making a comeback. On Monday, July 25, 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City as the country’s 17th chief executive.
Aside from looking forward to the president’s speech, many Filipinos were also curious about how the politicians, celebrities, and VIP guests were dressed at the event.
Here’s a round-up of the most stylish OOTDs on the red carpet of SONA 2022:
HEART EVANGELISTA
Heart Evangelista, the wife of Senator Chiz Escudero, was a shoo-in on anyone’s best-dressed list for #SONA2022.
The 37-year-old Kapuso actress flaunted her curves in a detailed, form-fitting Filipiniana dress by Mark Bumgarner.
Heart also made heads turn in her all-white Mark Bumgarner terno when she accompanied her husband to the first session of the Senate’s 19th Congress.
LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ AND JULIANA GOMEZ
Ormoc City mayor Lucy Torres and her daughter Juliana Gomez went twinning in their Filipiniana dresses for #SONA2022.
The mother-and-daughter tandem wore custom dresses by Filipino fashion designer Lenora Luisa Cabili, the founder of local brand Filip + Inna, which is known for using indigenous weaves and local fabrics.
Their dresses perfectly matched the Barong worn by Lucy’s husband, Leyte Representative Richard Gomez.
RACHEL PETERS
Former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder Rachel Peters was effortlessly stunning in her choice of Filipiniana dress for #SONA2022.
Rachel wore a Mark Bumgarner creation, which matched the Tiño Suits barong of her husband Camarines Sur Representative Miguel Luis Villafuerte.
CONGRESSWOMAN LEN ALONTE
Biñan City Congresswoman Len Alonte stood out regally in her white classic Filipiniana in white lace and with a drape detail designed by Michael Leyva.
BIANCA MANALO
Former beauty queen-turned-actress Bianca Manalo, the long-time girlfriend of Senator Win Gatchalian, arrived at the venue wearing an apricot-colored draped Terno by Jo Rubio.
According to the designer, Bianca’s dress was embellished with authentic freshwater pearls and Austrian crystals.
SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
The senator wore a traditional Baro’t Saya designed by Joel Asebuche at the first regular Senate session of the 19th Congress.
Her dress was made from piña fabric, which was woven from Aklan. It also featured hand embroidery by artisans in Lumban, Laguna.
She matched her ensemble with a hand-woven Tikog bag from Samar and a pair of Marikina-made pumps.
SENATOR NANCY BINAY
Sen. Nancy brought to the Senate’s first session and SONA her A-game in the style department.
During the opening of the 19th Congress, she wore an ivory-colored terno made from piña fabric. She picked Randy Ortiz as her designer.
She changed into a white Filipiniana dress designed by Michael Leyva for the SONA.
TOOTSY ANGARA
Tootsy Angara, wife of Senator Sonny Angara, chose a modern Maria Clara-inspired dress designed by Michael Leyva.
ANGELICA ALITA
Binibining Pilipinas 2016 1st runner-up Angelica Alita-Revilla, wife of Cavite Representative Jolo Revilla, was resplendent in her Filipiniana dress with fringe details and floral paillettes designed by Rob Ortega.
DR. MILEN AQUINO GONZALEZ
Milen Aquino-Gonzalez, wife of Marino party list representative Sandro Gonzalez, looked divine in her all-white Filipiniana by Marlon Tuazon.
Dr. Milen was styled by Cath Sobrevega for the event.
CHRISTINA GARCIA FRASCO
Tourism Secretary Christian Garcia Frasco wore a white Filipiniana dress made with tulle and lace by Jun Escario.
Her dress was also embellished with antique brooches and pearls, which, according to the DOT secretary, “reflects our desire to cast a wide net of collaboration to all stakeholders across the Philippines.”
KATHRYNA YU-PIMENTEL
Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, wife of Senator Koko Pimentel, opted for an ombré blue gown Filipiniana gown for #SONA2022.
Designed by Michael Leyva, it had a drape detail that cascaded from the bustier down to the skirt.
MARGA NOGRALES
Marga Nograles, wife of Chairman of the Civil Service Commission Karlo Nograles, wore a custom Terno that she herself designed under her brand Kaayo Mindanao.
Her terno was made from Inaul fabric handwoven by the Maguindanao Tribe of South Cotabato. It also featured hand-beaded details by the T’boli Tribe of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
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