“P’wede pala,” SM Supermall president Steven Tan quipped when asked what his takeaway was after seeing the collections of fashion designers Joey Samson and Lesley Mobo for the “Paskong TernoCon” held at SM Aura last December 9. “P’wede palang pang-araw-araw ang damit na terno. Hindi lang ito pang-special na occasion.”

The rest of those who witnessed this remarkable fashion event unfold can surely agree with Tan, as the traditional terno was presented and styled in different classic and creative interpretations. It was such a delight to feast our eyes on masterpieces that look young and modern yet still true to their traditional essence.

TernoCon, a biennial gathering that unites top Filipino designers and showcases the beauty of traditional attire, is the brainchild of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Bench / lifestyle + clothing. Since its inception in 2018, its goal has always been to preserve and promote the terno and present it in unique and modern ways to maintain its relevance for the new and next generations.

Tan was a regular guest at the past TernoCon events in CCP, and on one of those occasions, he talked to CCP vice chairperson Margie Moran and Bench founder Ben Chan and brought up the idea of putting a twist to the TernoCon. He told them, “Maybe it’s about time that we share it also with the Filipino people, to more people, to shoppers… They both agreed. They thought it was a great idea.”

Lesley Mobo, Steven Tan, and Joey Samson

Lesley Mobo, Ben Chan, Margie Moran, Steven Tan, and Joey Samson

Culture and couture

Fast forward to today, this version of the TernoCon一the first collaboration between SM Supermalls, Bench, and the CCP一finally came to fruition, and what a success it truly was! The holiday timing couldn’t have been more perfect to bring together Filipino traditions, fashion, and family, as there’s nothing quite like a Pinoy Christmas celebration.

Against the stunning backdrop of SM Aura’s 33-foot Filipino-themed Christmas tree adorned with handmade ornaments using locally sourced materials, the runway set the tone for echoing the initiative’s overarching messages: Pinoy pride and the celebration of heritage, culture, and couture.

From the get-go, the concept came with a lot of heart and passion for Pinoy pride. Visionaries Samson and Mobo, with their innovative perspectives that have left an indelible mark on the industry, are the ideal designers to anchor the movement to celebrate Filipino heritage and artistry. “They’re very professional. Both Lesley and Joey are good friends of mine,” Tan said. “They really put their heart into their crafts. You can really tell. It shows in the outfits that they created.”

Joey Samson and Lesley Mobo

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan

Paskong TernoCon, under the artistic direction of Gino Gonzales, was well-attended with celebrities and key personalities like Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano, First Lady Liza Marcos, Richard Gomez, Cris Villonco, Mikaela Martinez, Patty Laurel, Kelly Misa, Nicole Hernandez, Vanna Garcia, and Georgia Schulze-del Rosario. But bringing the terno closer to Filipinos was a goal that was likewise achieved. Mallgoers took a break from holiday shopping to watch and appreciate the fashion spectacle.

Tan emphasized the importance of making traditional Filipino clothing relatable. “Look at my shirt,” he said, pointing to his Barong Tagalog. “I can wear this with jeans. Even Bench themselves, they were selling ternos made of denim fabric.”

Vanna Garcia, Nicole Hernandez, Mikaela Martinez, George Schulze-del Rosario, Kelly Misa, and Patty Laurel

Joey Samson: Minimalist Maestro

Samson shares Tan’s sentiments on the advocacy of making the terno more appealing to Filipinos. But first and foremost, he pointed out that terno is a Philippine national dress and not a costume, which is a term that could give the impression that it’s only meant to be worn for certain events, say, a Linggo ng Wika celebration. Though it may not be used as everyday wear by some, it could still be a ubiquitous piece in people’s wardrobe. “They should see that it’s not a costume… [it’s] something that we can use an option to formal wear, and we should all take pride in wearing it,” Samson told Metro.Style.

To him, a terno is instrumental in communicating pride and love for the Philippines. With the collection he presented at the Paskong TernoCon, Samson showed an array of classic design options for the terno, even presenting how men can also wear the Barong Filipino today. There was a lot of play on proportions and layering and an experimental, contemporary take on detailing and fabrication, all the more proving the versatility and flexibility of the terno silhouette and the traditional Filipino attire in general.

To appeal to a younger audience, Joey said the terno “has to be something that’s really very modern in terms of fabrication and in terms of treatment.” He added that he treats terno the way he treats any other clothes he creates, noting that “the craftsmanship should be retained all the time.”

Joey Samson

Janine Gutierrez opening the show for Joey Samson

Sabina Gonzalez

His show started with actress Janine Gutierrez wearing a plaid-patterned terno with accordion-like pleats on the bottom part. The collection segued into white, beige, and black pieces in sleek and volumized silhouettes. Sabina Gonzalez, daughter of supermodel Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, broke the series of neutral palettes on the runway, as she modeled a form-fitting printed midi terno dress with a choker that extends into a textured cape-like train. Top model and photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol made a splash on the runway in a white pantsuit-like terno, accentuated with a printed and tulle mullet train that forms a peplum silhouette on the waist. Actor David Licauco rocked a white long top and pants combo, topped off with a sparkly off-white jacket and worn with a pair of white sneakers.

Also notable in Samson’s collection was how he presented terno as an option for bridalwear, especially with Filipiniana becoming more and more popular as a wedding theme. Janine returned to the runway and ended Samson’s show in a white asymmetrical dress with a terno sleeve on one side and a voluminous cascading ruffle on the other.

Completing his ensembles are accessories like parasol umbrellas, hats, abanicos, gloves, woven bags, alpombras, among other locally made jewels. Overall, his collection featured pieces that are characterized by clean lines, romantic undertones, and timeless elegance.

Jo Ann Bitagcol

David Licauco

Lesley Mobo: Maximalist Extraordinaire

“When I think of terno, it should be fun because I want it to appeal to younger Filipinos,” Lesley Mobo said in an exclusive interview with us. “Terno, for me, should live with the young generation, and I’m trying to make it youthful and appealing to them.” This is why he made sure to make the most of a venue like the TernoCon to showcase the diversity of the terno and the endless possibility to reimagine it.

In true Lesley Mobo avant-garde fashion, fun, festive, and fabulous are the perfect words that encapsulate his Paskong TernoCon collection一the very words that also define the holiday season. But also, his fit-and-flare pieces, serving as a continuation to his tropical terno collection, call to mind summer with the splash of bold colors and the generous serving of florals and polka-dot prints.

Lesley Mobo

Jasmine Maierhofer opened the show for Lesley Mobo

Yaofa Dela Cruz

Opening his segment of the sartorial event was top model Jasmine Maierhofer in a floral terno with a thigh-high slit. Pushing the envelope further, this bold piece was accessorized with a floral headpiece, dangling earrings, gloves, a printed pamaypay, a bow, and an embellished pair of slippers. These accessories were seen in various iterations throughout the show. Fashion model Yaofa Dela Cruz emerged in a striking violet terno with a lilac tulle accent, accessorized with an equally vibrant bag.

Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida gracefully walked the runway in a midnight blue terno with brown polka dot prints, an ensemble that also featured pops of pink through her accessories and a bow detailing on the dress. Wrapping up the collection was this black and white polka-dot terno with a flowy drape element, punctuated by red accessories and a white floral headpiece; the exquisite creation was fiercely and elegantly modeled by Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez-Dee.

With the vibrant pieces Mobo showed the audiences at Paskong TernoCon, it’s easy to picture a millennial or even a Gen Z-er attending formal events in such creations. Igniting visual mood boards, it’s likely a Filipino debutant could also be inspired to put a spin on the traditional debut party with a terno gown like Mobo’s designs. “If they [the young ones] can see what we’re doing, they can be proud that ‘oh my god, this is Filipino.’ When you start wearing something, you’re trying to say you love the Philippines… When you’re proud to be Filipino, you wear Filipino and that’s a good move. It’s a good start,” he remarked.

“Terno should really communicate talaga that you’re a Filipino. ‘I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud of our history,’” Mobo said, adding that he’s always so deeply inspired by the diversity of our culture and the influences that helped shape our nation’s identity. “A terno can be universal in a way but it’s unmistakably Filipino.”

Ariella Arida

Michelle Marquez-Dee

Watch the event highlights here:

To know more about Paskong TernoCon 2023 and SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

Photos and video by Pat Buenaobra