SONA 2024: Hand-painted Barong, Homegrown Brands, and More
The annual State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City is not exactly a fashion show. The speech itself was first mandated by the 1935 Constitution, which stated that "[t]he President shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the state of the Nation, and recommend to its consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." This was later adopted in the 1987 Constitution, which states, "The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session."
Still, some members of Congress and their guests use the SONA as an opportunity to don their formal wear and walk the red carpet, like it's the GMA Gala or the Met Gala. For SONA 2024, held on Monday afternoon, July 22, government officials and VIPs had their photos taken in front of the press, either on the red carpet in front of the Senate offices or on the red runway with features of gold accents and floral patterns on the North Wing of Batasan.
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Here are some of the formal attires that caught our attention at the SONA 2024 'Red Carpet':
As the SONA is a formal event, the dress code for men is either barong or coat and tie. Senator Robin Padilla wore a long-sleeved barong over a white shirt bearing the word "KALAYAAN" in big bold letters.
Senator Robin Padilla
In a press conference last July 10, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco reminded guests that wearing outfits with derogatory words or political messages are banned from attending the SONA. ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro, in a text sent to reporters on the same day, said that the ban violates freedom of expression and that the Makabayan bloc legislators will still wear clothes that reflect the grievances and demands of the people.
Rep. Arlene Brosas, Rep. France Castro, and Rep. Raoul Manuel at SONA 2024
And that Castro did, along with Gabriela Party List Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Party List Rep. Raoul Manuel. The three were also present at the People's SONA and political demonstration along Commonwealth Avenue earlier in the day.
Rep. Raoul Manuel wearing a barong with hand-painted art by Albert Raqueño
In an earlier Facebook post, Kabataan Partylist said that the protest wear features "a mural of an alternative future envisioned by Filipino youth painted as a toga hood in front of the barong," which "symbolizes the hope of the new generation to graduate from the social ills dragging the country to further crisis and even outright war." Additionally, the backside shows a blue fist punching the images of the U.S. (bald eagle) and China (fiery dragon). The fist symbolizes the "unity of the youth to break free and fight back against the primordial danger of war and aggression" imposed by the two countries and other ruling dynasties in the Philippines.
Rep. Arlene Brosas's gown trail with art by Michael Joselo
Rep. France Castro's hand-painted wrap skirt by Michael Joselo
Other guests saw the red carpet at SONA 2024 as a chance to showcase Filipino talent in embroidery. Take, for example, Senator Grace Poe's son Brian Poe Llamanzares, who wore a piece from ready-to-wear menswear brand Llamanzares Barongs. It celebrates the fine artistry of embroiders in his native town of Lumban, Quezon. He specifically wore the Luna Barong Tagalog, which is made of piña silk from Aklan and features a modified batok pattern. It also boasts Lumban's distinct embroidery technique called the callado.
Brian Poe Llamanzares wearing the Luna Barong Tagalog by Llamanzares Barongs
DILG Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. wearing a handwoven barong from Laguna
Other SONA 2024 guests wore custom-made barong by local designers.
Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Toff de Venecia in a bangus-inspired barong jacket by RJ Santos of Randolf Clothing. Dagupan, an independent city in Pangasinan, is known for its pond-raised bangus.
