A merry mix of classic and contemporary takes on the Filipiniana outfit marked the inaugural Paskong TernoCon held last 9 December at the SM Aura Premier in Taguig City. This was evident not only in featured designers Joey Samson's and Lesley Mobo's creations that their models wore while sashaying down the runway set up around the mall's 33-foot Christmas tree adorned with native ornaments, but also in many of the fashion show's attendees.
For starters, guests of honor First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, SM Investments vice chairperson Tessie Sy-Coson, Cultural Center of the Philippines vice chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano turned up in different versions of the terno dress. They were joined by Bench founder Ben Chan and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, who both wore a Barong Tagalog.
Other guests likewise followed the event's dress code, depending on how they interpreted it. After all, this is in line with the Ternocon initiative that the CCP and Bench retail brand started in 2018 to revive the Filipino interest in the terno and other traditional clothes. A terno-making convention and competition was also held earlier in the year.
The designers themselves donned their personal interpretation of the traditional menswear: Samson in sky blue paired with jeans and sneakers, and Mobo in an all-white ensemble. They spoke to DAILY TRIBUNE in separate interviews at the event on cultural heritage and how to showcase it by wearing a terno.
Masterful minimalism
Samson, whose Paskong TernoCon collection showcased masterful minimalism and tailored, architectural forms, expressed optimism with the growing interest in the terno. Browsing social media, for instance, there are many posts of people not only wearing but also selling such fashion pieces.
"I think one of the core intentions talaga of this Ternocon thing with Bench and Cultural Center of the Philippines is the awareness and to make people, educate people and not make them feel afraid to wear it, and to make it actually part of not really their daily wear but for special occasions," he said.
"Maraming (There are many) efforts to make it more wearable and relatable, in terms of a more simplified silhouette or a fabrication that they can relate to. On the other side of the spectrum, there are some people who want something different, very experimental. Parang they like that it lessens the idea of it becoming a costume of feeling pang-matanda (old fashioned)."
Indeed, a lot terno and other Filipiniana outfits these days are no longer exclusive to formal gatherings, official events or theme parties. They can even be styled as street fashion when carried with carefree confidence.
"It's nice that a bigger part of the audience appreciates it," he added. "But it's a continuous effort. We should not stop to make other people understand that it's not really something like a costume."
Unabated maximalism
Mobo's collection showcased a celebration of draping, unabated maximalism, color and folk aesthetics that made wearing a terno a fun experience. "When you wear a terno it means you're celebrating who you are as a Filipino. They always say, there's no better way to express how proud you are of your culture, heritage, tradition by basically wearing a terno or a barong. It's a good start," he pointed out.
The London-based designer who has collaborated with international brands like Diesel and Uniqlo went on to explain his passion for making terno. "All I want to achieve is for it to be appreciated and appeal to the young generation. They are really the future. If they start wearing it, they're proud of it, then hopefully you're helping a create a generation that is proud of your own culture."
He added, "Any kind of take on the terno or Filipiniana is good. You could go wild… But don't take the sleeves off because that's the only left about the terno. You have the mestiza, of course. I mean the culture is so diverse. I think it's good that people have a different take on it because that's the only way to spice it up, make it more interesting."
As for the fun and colorful set of terno dresses he showed at the event, he said it's really meant as a celebration. "Celebrating who we are, being Pinoy. Everything we have — the colors, the influences from the religion. It's about inclusivity, including everyone, but try to make it fun."
He said he's looking forward to "dive more into our culture" in his next fashion show. "Because, you know, it's nice to do fashion that is based, inspired by our own culture, traditions, rather than trends. Because trends because just fizzle out, they don't last. But our own culture will always be there, and people will always love it."