THE POLITICS OF STYLE: Best of SoNA fashion 2023 and 2024
From masterfully tailored ternos to inventive reimaginings of the baro’t saya, 2024 fashion moments offered a rich tapestry of craftsmanship and expression.
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Daily TribuneFrom masterfully tailored ternos to inventive reimaginings of the baro’t saya, 2024 fashion moments offered a rich tapestry of craftsmanship and expression.
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DEPARTMENT of Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Tootsy Angara in Mark Bumgarner.
Angel Revilla
EM Villar
Senator Risa Hontiveros
Heart Evangelista
SENATOR Loren Legarda.
Each year, the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) becomes more than just a political gathering — it transforms into an unofficial red carpet that celebrates Filipino identity, artistry and conviction. The 2024 edition proved no different, with power dressing on full display as lawmakers, spouses and public officials walked the halls of Congress in ensembles that married heritage and modernity, elegance and advocacy.
From masterfully tailored ternos to inventive reimaginings of the baro’t saya, 2024 fashion moments offered a rich tapestry of craftsmanship and expression. Designers pulled out all the stops, embracing native fabrics, bold silhouettes, and sustainability, while some attendees made poignant political or cultural statements through their wardrobe choices.
Below, we break down the key style movements of SoNA 2024 — and revisit standout looks from 2023 that continue to inspire.
Key style trends at SONA 2024
Modern Filipiniana
The terno, baro’t saya and balintawak reigned supreme, but this year’s interpretations skewed more fluid and contemporary. Designers played with sheer fabrics, asymmetrical cuts and architectural sleeves, giving traditional garments a current edge.
Designer spotlight
SoNA once again doubled as a showcase of Filipino design prowess. From couture-level detailing to minimalist refinement, designers like Michael Leyva, Puey Quiñones, Joel Acebuche and Mark Bumgarner made their presence felt.
Fashion as advocacy
Some looks went beyond aesthetics — carrying symbols of inclusivity, national pride and social statements. Whether subtle or outspoken, these touches reflected the wearer’s values and stood as silent speeches.
Sustainable statements
With a growing emphasis on ethical fashion, several attendees embraced repurposed textiles, indigenous fabrics and environmentally conscious techniques, proving that patriotism and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Best Dressed at SONA 2024
Senator Risa Hontiveros
A longtime advocate for equality, Senator Hontiveros embodied her values through fashion. She wore a refined baro’t saya-inspired creation by Joel Acebuche, made even more meaningful with a rainbow pin — an understated yet powerful nod to LGBTQ+ rights.
Heart Evangelista
As the president of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc., Heart made a luminous entrance in a sculptural white terno gown by Michael Leyva. The look was graceful yet assertive, cementing her status as a SoNA fashion icon.
Senator Loren Legarda
Always an advocate for culture and environment, Legarda opted for a Puey Quiñones piece that married contemporary cuts with native fabrics, reinforcing her commitment to heritage sustainability.
Tootsy Angara
Marking her return to the SoNA fashion spotlight, Tootsy Angara — wife of Education Secretary Sonny Angara — stunned in a sleek, modern terno by Mark Bumgarner, known for his bold feminine tailoring.
Marga Nograles
The Tourism Promotions Board COO walked hand-in-hand with husband and CSC chairman Karlo Nograles in a textured Filipiniana by Puey Quiñones, blending tradition with elevated contemporary elegance.
SONA fashion flashback: Best of 2023
Heart Evangelista in Ivarluski Aseron
Evangelista broke the mold in a banig-inspired terno jumpsuit by Ivar Aseron, crafted from laser-cut organza and gazar. With embroidered organza lining and an innovative silhouette, the look balanced tradition with high fashion drama.
Rep. Stella Quimbo in JC Buendia
The congresswoman exuded minimalist grace in a white terno dress by JC Buendia, featuring a demure cowl neckline and refined mid-calf cut — an ode to quiet power dressing.
Tootsy Angara in Lesley Mobo
Her look reimagined the balintawak in printed floral crêpe, elevated by pleated detailing and a sheer yellow tapis. The ensemble, designed by Lesley Mobo, was an inspired blend of nostalgia and reinvention.
Fashion beyond aesthetics
In an event where every gesture is scrutinized, fashion at SoNA has evolved into a form of soft diplomacy. The designers and muses who ruled 2023 SoNA didn’t just look good — they communicated pride, purpose and politics through thread and design. As the lines between statecraft and stagecraft continue to blur, SoNA fashion remains a powerful form of cultural commentary — and a celebration of Filipino artistry at its finest.
