TernoCon 2027, a convention and competition devoted to terno-making, began with its first mentoring and consultation workshop for 15 aspirants, held from 4 to 8 August, at the Clark Events and Conference Center in Pampanga.

Organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Bench/Suyen Corporation, TernoCon promotes the preservation and continued development of the Philippine dress.

The program seeks to encourage the wider use of the terno and inspire emerging designers to create pieces that demonstrate the construction skills expected of professionals. It also fosters dialogue and scholarly discussion on issues surrounding the Philippine dress while sustaining public awareness of and interest in it.

Chosen from 52 applicants, the 15 aspirants represent Luzon-Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Tarlac, Makati and Taguig; the Visayas-Cebu, Mandaue, Roxas, Silay and Iloilo; and Mindanao-Zamboanga City, Maguindanao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Iligan and Koronadal.

Before the selection, all applicants took part in a weeklong regional workshop and a one-day lecture via Zoom conducted by fashion designers and art experts Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, Len Cabili and Gino Gonzales.

To help the aspirants meet the competition’s goals, some of the country’s leading design experts will mentor and guide them. The team is led by fashion designer Inno Sotto, who has served as TernoCon’s chief mentor since 2018. Joining him are fashion designers Josie Natori, Randy Ortiz, and Jojie Lloren; TernoCon founding artistic director Gonzales; and incumbent artistic director Ricardo Eric Cruz.

With the theme “An Ode to Nature,” the fifth edition of TernoCon marks the program’s 10-year milestone and celebrates its significant contribution to deepening public awareness and appreciation of the terno, particularly among young people.

The first lock-in workshop was presented in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation, City Government of Mabalacat, Department of Tourism Region III, Royce Hotel and Victory Liner.

The second lock-in workshop is scheduled for 27 to 31 January 2027, while the final competition and cultural show will take place on 14 March 2027.

The CCP Cultural Exchange Department and the CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division lead the project’s implementation in collaboration with the TernoCon organizing team and the Bench Ad and Promo team.