IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The ladies to watch out for at Sona 2024

Highlights: Sona 2024

Sona 2024 is upon us and while it is widely regarded as one of the biggest annual political spectacle, with the president front and center of everyone’s attention, there are certainly fashion-forward individuals who inadvertently (or not) steal the limelight with their sheer presence and eye-catching reimagining of the Filipino ternos and baro’t saya by notable Filipino designers.

On this day, all eyes are trained on the red carpet of the House of Representatives, where politicians, their significant others, and guests will display their respective garbs for all the media to take note of. Shall we see more recycled gowns and less glitter and glamor this year? Not likely, but the dress code made one requirement — outfits with derogatory or political messages are banned.

That said, here are some of the personalities that we can expect to be gracing this year’s Sona red carpet with their ensembles that reflect their individuality and creativity.

Heart Evangelista

Being the wife of Senate President Chiz Escudero, Heart Evangelista has a solid role to play as the head of the Senate Spouses Foundation, but as a fashion influencer with a following running up to millions, her every move, every attire is watched. Indeed, she is the undeniable first lady of Sona fashion, bringing glam to the red carpet, and we can expect this year to be no less.

In 2023, exuding an air of timeless elegance, Evangelista wore a pristine white modern Filipiniana designed by Ivar Aseron. The outfit was exquisite with its banig-style butterfly sleeves, inspired by the Filipino craft of weaving. For her second look, she donned a Michael Leyva diamond-cutout column dress embellished with crystals and pearls, a real visualization of sheer sophistication.

First Lady Liza Marcos

As President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s better half, First Lady Liza Marcos’ attire is one of the most anticipated. In the first Sona of the president in 2022, Mrs Marcos opted for a simple, flowing black and white Filipiniana terno by Lesley Mobo.

Mobo was again her designer of choice during Sona 2023, but what was surprising was the color of her gown — a bright yellow with embroidered flowers on the torso and butterfly sleeves. Though it may have just been a curious matter of insignificance, yellow happened to be the color identified with the Marcoses’ long-time political rival, the Aquinos.

Experts say fashion-wise, Liza is casting her shadow close to her mother-in-law, former First Lady, Imelda Marcos, as she is now believed to be the most influential women to the president. Thus, her choice of gown may reflect this position of power.

Sen. Nancy Binay 

Remember that time when Senator Nancy Binay was bashed for her outfit during the opening of the 16th Congress in July 2014? Veering from the traditional terno, Binay wore a white long-sleeved sheer blouse and a monochromatic olive-green skirt. But while the dress looked classy, social media had a field day comparing her to a certain fictional princess with green skin, and her gown to a hot air balloon.

Fast forward 10 years later, Binay’s fashion choices have become something to look forward to during Sona season. The morena senator remained true to form being comfortable in her own skin. She took the high road in dealing with the criticisms, though in recent years, even her staunchest bashers gave her positive feedback on her Sona gowns.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagba-bash, tsaka yung mga naglo-look forward sa susuotin ko every year. ‘Yun pa lang, it’s an honor,” she told reporters in 2018 post-Sona, where she wore a powder blue gown by Randy Ortiz.

Since then, the senator has opted for simple, elegant Filipiniana in support of local designers. Ahead of Sona 2024, Binay posted some throwbacks of her outfits from 2013 to the following years, hinting that her outfit this year will surely be anticipated.

Sen. Imee Marcos

Sen. Imee Marcos, arguably, is one of the most stylish legislators in this part of the world, never one to miss a beat when an occasion calls for fashion.

During the first address of her brother in 2022, the lady politician donned a royal blue custom terno top with matching pants with a print highlighting the administration’s heart for agriculture.

Last year, the senator went closer to her Ilocano roots by dressing up a tribal outfit supposedly personally gifted to her by the Igorot. She complemented the look with henna tattoos all over her body, with designs such as the sun and moon.

Onlookers are anticipating how she will deliver yet another fashion statement this year.

Lucy Torres-Gomez

Known for her sleek and simple silhouettes, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez was every inch a model in every outfit that she wears. Moreso during Sona when her beauty would stand out even in the simplest of gowns. 

Wife to fellow actor turned politician Richard Gomez, the couple made Sona 2022 a family affair as the couple and their only daughter Juliana went twinning in their Filipiniana dresses, customized by Lenora Luisa Cabili. 

Last year, the Ormoc mayor continued to turn heads with her sophisticated Filipiniana in support of local fashion.

Sen. Loren Legarda

Senator Loren Legarda is one of those who consistently advocates for upcycling indigenous materials into a fashion statement. Her choice of fabric and ethnic prints are combined with the crafty workmanship of local designers give a distinctive look.

In the 2020, the lady politician took the opportunity to glam up even during the pandemic year by sporting a smart casual top with ethnic prints, in which she refurbished a used Michael Leyva piece to convert into a bolero.

In 2022, she wore an elegant two decades-old terno designed by the renowned Patis Tesoro. The following year, Legarda wore an upcycled abaca dress from her very first term in the Senate, giving a sophisticated take to the design.

For the third address of President Marcos, the senator is expected to continue her support for the local industry.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Being a stalwart figure of the opposition, you’d think Sen. Risa Hontiveros would play the part to the hilt, but that wasn’t the case insofar as Sona fashion goes. Simple elegance has always been Hontiveros’ trademark, almost no-nonsense. Her gown material are sourced from local weavers, which she then gives a modern take to.

In 2022, the senator wore a traditional baro’t saya made from Aklan Piña fabric and hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna. 

Despite her usual traditional style, Hontiveros also knows how to put a twist and a dash of social statement into her outfit. In 2018, the lady politician donned a floral, butterfly-sleeved bolero piped with rainbow stripes, declaring her wholehearted support for the much-debated SOGIE bill.

For Sona 2024, Hontiveros’ office shared that the senator will be wearing a sleek interpretation of the baro’t saya made of piña and designed by Joel Acebuche, and will be paired with shoes from Zapateria Marikina and a hand-woven tikog purse.

Honorable mentions:

Vice President Sara Duterte

Despite already confirming that she will not be attending this year’s Sona; for two years, Vice President Sara Duterte has managed to catch attention at the Sona red carpet as she paid tribute to different ethnic groups. 

In 2022, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte wore a tribal Bagobo Tagabawa dress that she claimed to have borrowed from a tribal leader in Davao City.

At the second Sona of Pres. Marcos, Duterte donned a traditional Maguindanaon dress to pay homage to the Moro tribe, designed by Cotabato City-based designer Israel Ellah Ungkakay.