SoNA 2025: No red carpet policy, a hypocrisy?

Last Monday, we witnessed a tweak, a little deviation from the usual President’s State of the Nation Address: “No fashion coverage,” “no red carpet,” the House said in a memo sent days before the SoNA — sending those who already had their million-peso worth gowns cramming for something simpler.

The intention was good: Show “solidarity” with victims from recent typhoons and flood.

But as we’ve seen, the memo was useless — not only because government could not really control the media from covering fashion and whatever they found newsworthy at the SoNA, but also since the politicians and their spouses themselves could not help but flaunt their stuff.

But, while there were those with delicadeza (decency) to follow the memo with their low-key outfits and non-posting of their OoTDs (outfits of the day), there were those filled with irony: take for example Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero who seconded the Lower House’s “no fashion coverage” memo, but, as in past SoNAs, was among those who led in marching down the uncarpeted Batasan walkway in style — with his wife Heart Evangelista in tow, as usual. For many SoNAs now, the couple had been the event’s king and queen.

Yes, there was no red carpet last Monday, but still, the pageantry was there, with politicians and luminaries still asked to walk one after the other in a pace designed for them and their clothes to still be showcased and hog the spotlight.

And speaking of pageantry, it turned out to be a literal one with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach making a surprise appearance. In her Instagram post, she did not give any solid explanation for why she should be there other than representing Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and LoveYourself as an ambassador. What changes or stand points from these organizations did she voice out exactly? Or was she just there for a showdown with Heart again, in a “revenge” Filipiniana in white - Heart’s favorite color, in a design by Heart’s former favorite designer Mark Bumgarner?

As a netizen aptly commented in DAILY TRIBUNE’s Facebook post: “Pa’no nakatulong sa OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) ang best OoTD n’ya? (How did her best OoTD able to help the OFW?)”

Other instances were some lawmakers and politicians’ spouses who did not only post their wardrobe; they even had high-profile studio pictorials of their clothes. And then there was another influencer Congress representative who kept on posting selfies with other politicians in the Batasan, Gen Z-style: this politician stayed truer to being an influencer than a lawmaker. See, the media did not need a memo; politicians themselves do not follow their own rules and already “cover” themselves and put it on social media — the media just merely picked it up.

Yes, Congress might have saved something by not rolling out the red carpet — say, for instance, the actual cost of the carpet or if they were to use an old one, the cleaning and manpower for it — but the House definitely failed to show “solidarity” with typhoon victims.

When fashion was not so much outlawed at past SoNAs, politicians were able to freely share the explanations behind their outfits — like brooches with symbols of their advocacies; the tribes who wove the textiles in their garments; the artisans and other unsung heroes and crafts. The SoNA, then, became the biggest platform, from an arts and culture standpoint, for mass media education and reminder of Filipino culture and heritage.

Even if those politicians spent over-padded gazillions on those outfits, at least, part of those public funds trickled down to the designers and the artisans who worked on those gowns.

Total shame to those who did not wear local at all and even used imported designer bags, shoes and accessories! Why flaunt your Guccis, Chanels etc. when we have plenty of good local bags and accessories designers and brands? You are definitely not helping revive dying industries like Marikina shoes.

So perhaps next SoNA, Congress should not issue a memo because it turns out to be a farce, anyway. Nobody really believes that they empathize with typhoon victims. If they did, then they should have used their billions of pork barrel and confidential funds properly. If they did, then there should be no typhoon victims at all.

Instead of a red carpet or none, maybe next time, let the solons cross real flood on the pathway to the President’s speech — that is the real test of “solidarity.”

Spotted at SoNA 2025:

• Gucci vintage watch (costs around P250,000 at Gucci website)

• Cartier watch with diamonds (over P1 million at the brand’s website)

• Valentino clutch bag (around P170,000 at Valentino website)

• Valentino white slingback pumps (around P65,000 online)

• Bottega Veneta Camera bag (over P137,000 at the brand’s website)

• Lady Dior bag (P385,000 at the brand’s website)

• Louis Vuitton bag (Over P270,000 online)

SoNA-worthy Filipino works spotted at Artefino:

(ongoing until 3 August in The Fifth at Rockwell, Makati):

• Jor-el Espina Filipiniana: Starting at P6,500 for a top

• Lakat x Dex Fernandez “Garapata” sustainable sneakers made of recycled pineapple leaves, made in Negros: P13,940

• Clutch bags: Starting at P2,000

• Liliw shoes: Starting at P2,000

• Filipiniana boleros: Starting at P3,000

• Aklan earrings with local freshwater pearls and upcycled piña trimmings: Starting at P650

• Aklan “Sampaguita” necklace with local freshwater pearls and upcycled piña trimmings: Starting at P2,000

• Hand-carved wooden earrings by Charming Baldemor of Paete, Laguna, using salvaged wood: Starting at P800