A union of fashion, power & modernity
A walk through the main gallery of the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, now showcasing the college’s Center for Campus Art’s “Fashion, Power, Modernity: The Ternos of Benilde Collection,” is a celebration of ingenuity and the richness of Filipino heritage
The exhibit, skillfully curated by architect Gerry Torres, is both a walk back in time and a leap to the future as it features the ternos made by iconic names in Philippine fashion: National Artist Ramon Valera, Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno and Aureo Alonzo. All the gowns of these designers will be on exhibit until Dec. 15. The exhibit is part of the celebration of the 35th year of the College of Saint Benilde.
“This extraordinary show has been made possible through the generosity of our donors — Vicky Rodriguez, Bambi Harper, Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo, and Mila Magsaysay Valenzuela, who graciously contributed her mother’s Valera gowns, once worn by former First Lady Luz Magsaysay.
“Most notably, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Farrales family, whose donation in 2021 forms the core of the Benilde fashion collection. To our donors, your gifts will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in advancing the study of Philippine fashion design and history,” said Gerry at the launch.
Over the years, Gerry said, the terno has evolved into more than just a garment. “It has transformed into a distinguished national costume, a source of pride for the nation, and at times a symbol of power This iconic attire has become the preferred choice for accomplished women during formal occasions such as weddings, galas, and significant political events. Its international presence is notable in beauty pageants, fashion shows, and state visits, reflecting its global recognition.
Gerry, director of Benilde’s Center for Campus Art, added that “guest” ternos at the exhibit include “a remarkable Aureo Alonzo wedding gown worn by Mrs. Carmelita Pineda, generously loaned to us by her son, Eric Pineda, our former faculty member (at Benilde). We hope Eric will consider us as the eventual custodians of this remarkable artifact. Also on loan are a pair of ternos by Benilde alumna, Yssa Inumerable, a recipient of the Pacita Longos Award (Gold) at the 2023 Ternocon, a competition spearheaded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Bench.”
DLS-CSB president Br. Dodo Fernandez said, “The safekeeping of these precious artifacts is integral to education, not only for future fashion designers but also for our broader community of students in art and design. In this era of interdisciplinary scholarship, these garments may serve as wellsprings of inspiration.”
Because the College of St. Benilde is a trailblazer in arts and arts-related education, among other disciplines (it’s the first-ever school in the Philippines to offer a degree in Animation, according to the research of my niece Alex Tenorio, who studies multimedia arts in Benilde), the college is “establishing an institution dedicated to fashion design and its history,” said Br. Dodo.
The Benilde fashion collection, including pre-war gowns, comprises more than 250 haute couture pieces, a fraction of which—31 quintessential ternos and four traje de mestizas to be exact—is displayed at the “Fashion, Power, Modernity” exhibit.
“The envisioned Benilde Fashion and Costume Institute will serve as a repository for their works and those of other revered designers. We welcome additional gifts from donors to augment our collection, with the assurance that these artifacts will be meticulously preserved and extensively used for the education of future generations of fashion designers,” added Br. Dodo.
According to Gerry, “The institute is envisioned as a repository for the creations of our esteemed fashion designers, and a center for research, study, and conservation of 20th- and 21st-century haute couture. The Miguel Febres Cordero building, also known as the former Instituto Cervantes on Leon Guinto and Estrada Streets, has been earmarked to house this center. We are excited and eagerly anticipate the realization of this long-overdue vision, which will undoubtedly enrich the study of Philippine fashion design and history, and we are hoping for your support in this endeavor.”
In the terno are a thousand and one stitches of the country’s history. That it provides vast and unlimited inspiration for today’s generation of designers proves that fashion is an art that breathes life.
Culture is life. And it is made more evident at the “Fashion, Power, Modernity: The Ternos of Benilde Collection.” *
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