MANILA, Philippines — “It is not a fashion show,” many netizens, and even designers like Inno Sotto, would say about the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Still, many people cannot help but look forward to the annual parade of outfits worn by politicians, celebrities, and other dignitaries on their way to the SONA.
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PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar and Sen. Pia Cayetano are among those who opted for Mindanao-inspired ensembles. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
House of Representatives members in traditional and modern ternos. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
For Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s third SONA, attendees went for anything, from designer gowns to traditional Filipino costumes accentuated with political statements.
Bataan representative Geraldine Roman (left) and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and wife in traditional Filipiniana. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho, AJ Bolando
Militant group officials in outfits with political statements. Philstar.com/AJ Bolando
Just in case people accuse her of being a “fashion victim” as she had been in a past SONA, Sen. Nancy Binay jokingly told reporters at this year’s SONA that her light blue Randy Ortiz terno matches the senate hall’s blue carpet.
"O, diba, match na match ako sa carpet?" she said.
@SenatorBinay is also present at the Senate opening with her husband Jose Benjamin Angeles. | Photo via Mong Pintolo pic.twitter.com/IUc9jUi9nk
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) July 23, 2018
Sen. Nancy Binay says she is wearing a Randy Ortiz. The senator earlier poked fun of the color of her gown and said she matches the carpet at the Senate. #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/923RAPesBO
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos turned heads in a scarlet Rocky Gathercole gown, while presidential children Sara and Baste Duterte reportedly came in wearing Cary Santiago.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao wore Francis Libiran, while his wife Jinkee was in a modern terno by Michael Leyva.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar was in a Tesoro Barong Tagalog and his wife wore a Mindanao-inspired Inno Sotto design.
Also wearing Inno Sotto was Tourism secretary Bernadette Puyat.
RELATED: Davao del Sur solon flaunts tribal garb in support of BBL
Davao del Sur Rep, Mercedes "Didi" Cagas wears a Bilaan, a tribe-inspired outfit for Duterte's 3rd SONA. The Bilaan tribe is known for their rich culture, arts and handcrafts such as the brass ornaments and traditional beadwork. #SONALive | via @AlixandraV pic.twitter.com/zJU4KnMszK
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat says she is wearing an “old dress by Inno Sotto” that she had redesigned to turn it to a Filipiniana. #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/LN8W0ofRAN
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Meanwhile, ACT Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio wore a Barong Tagalog hand-painted with a statement opposing the TRAIN Law.
ACT Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio on his stance vs TRAIN law #SONALive | via @ricci_catalina https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/GxtZCotYoV
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Similarly, Sen. Chiz Escudero's wife, actress Heart Evangelista, wore a simple white Mark Bumgarner terno. Sen. Sonny Angara's wife Tootsie also wore a simple white Rajo Laurel dress. Both women wore an anti-discrimination pin supporting the bill.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel wearing the colors of the Anti-Discrimination Bill on her sleeves. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Other celebrities seen on the red carpet were Ciara Sotto, Philip Salvador, and Monsour del Rosario. — Reports from Kristine Joy Patag
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has arrived with his family. He says he expects President Duterte to talk about Universal Health Care in his 3rd SONA. #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/rJdEiceaaW
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has arrived with Rep. Michaelina Antonio (AGBIAG party-list)*. #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/CNZQCbMpKH
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo has also arrived. Asked who made his suit, he said: “‘Yung sastre ko!” #SONALive | via @kristinepatag https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/2qXO184asX
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is also here #SONALive. | via @kristinepatag pic.twitter.com/oGwr4poCvK
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
Sen. Grace Poe arrives in Congress #SONA2018 @News5AKSYON pic.twitter.com/xBJJqQ1XAK
— Maricel Halili-Gahol (@halili_maricel) July 23, 2018
Sen. Chiz Escudero with wife Heart Evangelista #SONA2018 @News5AKSYON pic.twitter.com/8khcUY5f0R
— Maricel Halili-Gahol (@halili_maricel) July 23, 2018
Senate President Tito Sotto and wife Helen Gamboa arrives wearing Paul Cabral. Tito Sen says that he expects Pres. Duterte to go all out on health care situation in the country on laters SONA @News5AKSYON #SONAFashion #Sona2018 pic.twitter.com/GiEeQbRJyi
— Mj Marfori (@mjmarfori) July 23, 2018
Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Batasang Pambansa for #SONA2018. pic.twitter.com/R2FnLZCBL8
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) July 23, 2018
LOOK. Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Batasang Pambansa for @RRD_Davao 's 3rd SONA #SONALive | via @jaebolando https://t.co/WwxCfrXCn5 pic.twitter.com/mEpjZ02nc2
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2018
*Erratum: The spot tweet from the coverage of the SONA incorrectly identified the Rep. Michaelina Antonio (AGBIAG party-list), who was on the red carpet with Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio as his wife. We regret the error