FIRST OF TWO PARTS

For fans and proponents of what many deem as the Philippine national dress, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is holding an exhibit at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila to satisfy their fashionably patriotic heart. In Filipiniana X Obra, terno collections inspired by the masterpieces of Filipino master visual artists, many of whom were declared National Artists, are on display at the Sandiganbayan Reception Hall from 25 February to 11 May.

The exhibit features capsule collections designed by the winners, mentors, and finalists of the recently concluded TernoCon 2025, CCP’s groundbreaking workshop, competition and showcase on the terno.

“This is the fourth edition of TernoCon, our advocacy to preserve and promote the Philippine terno through education, convention and competition. This year, we received a total of 82 entries from Ilocos Norte to South Cotabato,” said Ben Chan, head honcho of the fashion brand Bench and the company, Suyen Corporation, which is a co-organizer of TernoCon.

With Ricardo “Eric” Cruz serving as artistic director, and Gino Gonzales, the founding artistic director of TernoCon, as consultant, TernoCon 2025 had 12 finalists, who were given the instructions to create three garments that celebrate our culture: The kimona with alampay, a piece of cloth draped on the shoulder, and the Visayan wraparound skirt called patadyong;, the balintawak, worn with the alampay and tapis, a wraparound skirt; and the terno but with the addition of the panuelo or fichu.

“TernoCon plays a crucial role in CCP’s dedication to providing an avenue for the exploration of budding fashion designers. While promoting the excellent craftsmanship behind the reinterpretations of the national dress, the Filipiniana x Obra exhibit sustains the dialogue TernoCon started and integrates it with the profound portrayal of Philippine culture through visual arts,” CCP president Kaye C. Tinga said.

Featured are the winning collections of Peach Garde from Tapaz, Capiz, winner of the Gawad Pacita Longos (gold medal) of TernoCon 2025, reinterpreting the works of National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin; Bryan Peralta from Makati City, winner of the Gawad Pura Escurdia (silver medal), who took inspiration from the works of National Artist for Visual Arts José Joya; Ram Silva from Iloilo, the Gawad Ramon Valera (bronze medal) winner, who drew inspiration from the works of National Artist for Visual Arts Fernando Amorsolo; and Windell Madis from Ilocos Norte, winner of Gawad Joe Salazar Medal (Chief Mentor’s Medal), inspired by the works of National Artist for Visual Arts Hernando R. Ocampo.