IN PHOTOS: SONA 2016 fashion

MANILA, Philippines – It’s that time of the year again for lawmakers, government officials, and personalities to gather at the Batasang Pambansa for the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The 2016 SONA on Monday, July 25, is the first of President Rodrigo Duterte, and as heralded in his campaign, change has come to the SONA, too.

Unlike in previous years where barongs and ternos were extravagant and intricate, this year, guests were asked to come in business attire or Filipiniana dresses not longer than knee-length. (READ: SONA guests asked not to wear long dresses)

“We will downplay the event. It will not be a fashion show,” said Finance spokesperson Paola Alvarez, who is also part of the SONA committee.

Here’s a look at what the SONA attendees wore this year:

 

Senator Chiz Escudero and wife Heart Evangelista

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

— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) July 25, 2016

 

 

Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas and wife Yasmine Espiritu-Vargas

 

Senator Loren Legarda

Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr

Ifugao Rep Teddy Baguilat graces #SONA2016 in a traditional wear to @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/RdPyQlPKeK

— Patty Pasion (@pattypasion) July 25, 2016

 

Senator Joel Villanueva and wife Gladys

Sen Joel Villanueva with wife at the HoR @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/iptPhDDRLd

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 25, 2016

 

Senator Richard Gordon 

 

Taguig representative and former senator Pia Cayetano

Taguig Rep Pia Cayetano arrives here at the HoR @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/hq2P5zkbqM

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 25, 2016

 

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo arrives. #DuterteSONA #PartnerForChange pic.twitter.com/xMwz4iMeH0

— Presidential Comm (@PresidentialCom) July 25, 2016

 

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez 

Senator Grace Poe and husband Neil Llamanzares 

Sen Poe and husband Neil @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/9efr61Tpgi

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 25, 2016

 

Manila mayor and former president Joseph Estrada

 

Former president Fidel Ramos

Former President FVR arrives at the House of Rep for President Duterte’s #SONA2016 @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/LqNviw14su

— Patty Pasion (@pattypasion) July 25, 2016

 

 

Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto

Rep Vilma Santos here at Batasang Pambansa. Husband Ralph and son Ryan arrived earlier @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/1PtRwCYjL7

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 25, 2016

  

Senator Leila de Lima

Senator Leila De Lima arrives at Batasang Pambansa. #DuterteSONA #PartnerForChange pic.twitter.com/3dZe4S6liZ

— Presidential Comm (@PresidentialCom) July 25, 2016

 

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and wife Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano arrives with wife and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano. #DuterteSONA #PartnerForChange pic.twitter.com/tEGEibAy3x

— Presidential Comm (@PresidentialCom) July 25, 2016

 

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista

QC mayor Herbert Bautista arrives in office uniform for #SONA2016 @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/oqFIZ3CDIV

— Martin San Diego (@MartinSanDiego) July 25, 2016

 

Dina Bonnevie 

Gretchen Barretto

Philip Salvador

 

Vice President Leni Robredo took a photo with her daughters prior to the SONA.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and wife Alelee Aguilar-Andanar

Gerphil Flores

 

Singer Bayang Barrios wore a Joel Acebuche creation when she sang the Philippine national anthem.

According to Jeff Crisostomo, communications and legislative officer for Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao, Bayang’s outfit paid homage to her Manobo roots, with its colors – black, red, and yellow – and its intricate bead work.

It’s the day before #SONA2016 yet more beads to do..  #BayangBarrios #ManoboColors #RedBlackYellow #EthnicPatterns

A photo posted by ACEBUCHE (@_acebuche_) on Jul 23, 2016 at 8:26pm PDT

 

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia

PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II

Education Secretary Leonor Briones

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

Willy Villarama (candidate for Bulacan vice governor, 2016)

Oriental Mindoro Representative Rey Umali

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate

Kabayan Representative Harry Roque

 

 

Leyte Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez

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Earlier in the day, the lawmakers were seen wearing their outfits during the opening of the 17th Congress:

House of Representatives

Representative Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands wore a Joel Acebuche number during the opening of the 17th Congress at the House of Representatives.

 

At the opening of the 17th congress, Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands in Acebuche dress.. Photo by @jeff_crisostomo

A photo posted by ACEBUCHE (@_acebuche_) on Jul 24, 2016 at 8:30pm PDT

 

Former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived at the House of Representatives, days after being released from hospital arrest.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives at House of Representatives. @maracepeda @rapplerdotcom #SONA2016 pic.twitter.com/dlIXIxp9yi

— Adrian J. Portugal (@adrianportugal_) July 25, 2016

 

Newly elected House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez made a promise to keep his barong simple in accordance with President Duterte’s call for simple outfits this year.

 

Davao del Norte D1 Rep Bebot Alvarez is expected to win speakership today. How is he feeling? “Normal lang!” pic.twitter.com/iQzOHBNhTz

— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) July 25, 2016

 

Senate

Jinkee Pacquiao wore an Inno Sotto terno at the Senate with husband, Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The 17th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines opens its first regular session today.  Thank you @innosotto for my terno and @francislibiran8 for Manny’s barong. To God be all the glory!  #senate#opening#blessedday

A photo posted by jinkeepacquiao (@jinkeepacquiao) on Jul 24, 2016 at 11:38pm PDT

 

Actress Heart Evangelista accompanied husband Senator Francis Escudero. According to Heart, her Filipiniana outfit is by Ivar Aseron, with one of her own hand-painted clutch bags.

At the senate with my hubby and his pile of work waiting to be signed good luck my darling 🙂

A photo posted by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on Jul 24, 2016 at 6:30pm PDT

 

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

 

Jinkee and Heart posed for a photo:

With the very pretty @iamhearte #openingofthesenate#blessedday

A photo posted by jinkeepacquiao (@jinkeepacquiao) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:10am PDT

 

 

Tootsy Angara, wife of Senator Sonny Angara, wore a green terno while accompanying her husband at the Senate.

All out support for @sonnyangara and the 17th congress. Congratulations to our new senate president, Sen Koko Pimentel  #sona2016

A photo posted by tootsyangara (@tootsyangara) on Jul 24, 2016 at 8:55pm PDT

 

Senator Risa Hontiveros, according to a press release, wore shoes made in Marikina on her first day of work at the Senate.

Senator Joel Villanueva and wife Gladys Cruz-Villanueva

 

Sen Joel Villanueva and wife already here @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/sSOBpO1ZHC

— Camille Elemia (@CamilleElemia) July 25, 2016

 

 

– Rappler.com