[IN PHOTOS] SONA fashion: Before Duterte vs now

MANILA, Philippines – Change has come to the SONA red carpet.

For the 2016 State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte’s first, there was less of a fashion spectacle. Guests were told to dress simply and avoid long dresses, in keeping with the President’s modest tastes.

This was in contrast to SONAs of years past, when lawmakers, government officials, and other personalities would come in designer Filipiniana gowns and barong tagalog – turning the annual SONA into the “Oscars of the Philippines.” (IN PHOTOS: SONA 2015 fashion)

This year’s attendees indeed chose the simpler route, ditching lavish gowns for understated outfits.

Heart Evangelista

Before

Last year, Heart, Senator Francis Escudero’s wife, wore a flowing white terno.

 

Now

Heart wore a sleek white pantsuit from Massimo Dutti at the Batasang Pambansa this year.

 

Always proud to be your date baby @stylebylovemarie_e @iamkatrinacruz @massimodutti #lovemarieXwhites

A photo posted by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on Jul 25, 2016 at 4:54am PDT

 

Senator Chiz Escudero and wife Heart Evangelista, former pres Erap Estrada arrive at Batasan pic.twitter.com/Ered112T3T

— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) July 25, 2016

 

Earlier, at the opening of the 17th Congress, Heart wore a shorter white terno by Ivar Aseron.

 

Today I wear @ivaraseron and my very own design #lovemarieclutchbags #lovemarieXwhites #lovemariepaintedbags for the opening of the senate ❤️ makeup by @abtkurniawan hair by @jerrybuanjavier style by the amazing @iamkatrinacruz

A photo posted by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on Jul 24, 2016 at 4:51pm PDT

  

Senator Grace Poe

Before

For last year’s SONA, Senator Grace Poe wore a Paul Cabral terno.

Now

This year, the senator wore a shorter dress in her signature white with a gold design.

Loren Legarda

Before

A champion of locally made products, Senator Loren Legarda kept it simple last year wearing black, but accessorizing it with textile from her collection, plus accessories from Bontoc, Ilongot earrings, and shoes by Tish Sevilla made from Marikina.

Now

At this year’s SONA, Legarda came wearing pants and a purple embroidered top.

Senator Nancy Binay

Before

Last year, Senator Nancy Binay wore a long, dark blue terno by Randy Ortiz.

Now

This year, Binay wore a terno at the opening of the 17th Congress at the Senate, but changed into a black ensemble for the SONA proper.

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Before

Last year, Hontiveros lit up the event in a bright yellow terno.

Now

This year, Hontiveros kept her outfit simple and paired it with shoes from Marikina.

Pia Cayetano

Before

The former senator and now Taguig representative wore this terno accentuated with beads at the back.

.@piacayetano says she wants PNoy to focus on transpo and utilities @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/d06gxdNiF8

— Ayee Macaraig (@ayeemacaraig) July 27, 2015

 

Now

Cayetano selected black business attire for this year’s SONA.

 

Tootsy Angara

Before

Toosty Angara wore an elaborate silver terno alongside her husband, Senator Sonny Angara.

Sen @sonnyangara and wife Tootsie. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/QtzQkeJSBK

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 27, 2015

 

Now

Tootsy was still in a terno this year, but it was simpler compared to last year’s.

 

Yasmine Espiritu-Vargas

Before

Yasmine, wife of Quezon City representative and actor Alfred Vargas wore a Stephanie Tan red terno.

 

Ready for #SONA2015 Quezon City Congressman Alfred Vargas wears a piña barong by Randy Ortiz. Gorgeous Yasmine wears a red terno by Stephanie Tan  #SONA #SONAfashion #custom #terno #filipiniana #lace #redgown #stephanietan #couture

A photo posted by Stephanie Tan Couture (@stephtancouture) on Jul 27, 2015 at 1:15am PDT

 

Now

Yasmine still wore a powder blue terno designed by Stephanie Tan. 

– Rappler.com