The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata / Philippines News Agency
It was that time of the year again when legislators, their wives and other government officials walked the red carpet to listen to President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (Sona)—his last—last Monday. Who do you think was the most fashionable?
PNA approached some of the head-turners on the carpet. One of them was Sen. Grace Poe, who arrived with her husband Neil Llamanzares and children Brian and Hannah. Wearing a Filipiniana gown by friend and fashion designer Rajo Laurel that she first wore last year, Poe said she liked its palay-inspired design.
“Everyone of us eats rice, and agriculture is an important sector,” the senator told PNA.
Another senator, Pia Cayetano, donned a modern-looking black gown with pin tucks and Swarovski crystals; while Yasmine Espiritu, the wife of actor-turned-legislator Alfredo Vargas III of the Fifth District of Quezon City, looked stunning in her red Filipiniana gown, made by Stephanie Tan.
Former ABS-CBN reporter Sol Aragones, now the representative of the third district of Laguna province, looked stylish in her gown—a gift from local designer Chico Estiva—that features three colors—red (her lucky color), pink and black—and Victorian lace forming an Aztec pattern.
”I personally chose Estiva because he’s from San Pablo City, where I grew up. It’s also to promote San Pablo City designers, who are really great in their craft,” she told PNA.
Aragones said Estiva recently won as best designer in the Mutya ng Pilipinas competition, adding that San Pablo City designers also make gowns used in international contests.
Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda, known for wearing Filipino-made clothes in important functions, wanted to promote Philippine art and culture while proving it doesn’t need to be expensive.
She did this by wearing what she described as a “recycled” outfit: A vintage piña top once owned by her mother; a sando, or undershirt; and jogging pants. She also wore shoes made in Marikina City, the country’s shoe capital, and her mother’s jewelry from Kalinga province.
”It doesn’t have to be new. I just want a local (and) simple recycled outfit,” Legarda said.
Health Secretary Janette Garin, also wore a recycled outfit. The former representative of the first district of Iloilo province just chose one from her existing collection of old Filipiniana gowns, and added a tapis and shawl to make it more fabulous.
Men in barong
Of course, let’s not forget the men. One of them, Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV wore an old barong Tagalog, telling PNA that it was made by Mang Aki, his sastre (tailor), who has been serving him for a long time.
Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada of Manila said his barong is from Manila. The 78-year-old former president seems to be loyal to the city he serves.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., who’s always busy, was simplicity personified in his Paul Cabral barong.
Actor Dingdong Dantes, also the commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission, wore a barong by Randy Ortiz. He left the Batasan Pambansa looking as fresh as when he arrived.
And last, but not the least, President Aquino looked neat in his barong, also made by Cabral. The President thanked the fashion designer for always ensuring he would wear neat and nice clothes. He even joked that Cabral is the reason some people thought he has a fashion sense.
All things considered, the Sona attendees proved that elegance doesn’t require them to wear something expensive or new. These super busy people proved they know how to recycle—and to mix and match—their clothes.