Fashion and protest meet at SONA

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino couture and protest fashion came together at yesterday’s opening session of the 15th Congress and President Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address.

Neophtye representative Lucy Torres-Gomez of Leyte wore a blue terno with flower appliqués by couturier Randy Ortiz.

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado wore a pink empire cut terno with a sheer upper bodice by Paul Cabral, while Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia, wife of former House speaker Jose de Venecia, wore a modern Maria Clara also by Cabral. 

The sisters of President Aquino – Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada and Viel Aquino-Dee – wore ensembles of kimona and saya.

Representatives of militant party-lists, on the other hand, took the opportunity to voice their advocacies through fashion.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, who has snubbed the SONA of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the last five years, wore a tuxedo-inspired barong tagalog with red embroidery across the chest, which represents his party’s call to stop unexplained killings.

“This is a first for me combining activism and high fashion to deliver an important message to the new administration,” Casiño said.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, meanwhile, wore a sombrero with the words “Genuine Agrarian Reform” written on it.

Mariano called for the distribution of Cojuangco-owned sugar estate Hacienda Luisita.