Only in the Philippines do we see a soiree with this much intermingling of celebrities and politicians. For PNoy’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA), we turn the congressional halls into a red carpet event. This is not to say that the fashion there is as important as the politics. But if last year’s SONA was any clear indication, there are other pressing issues to be resolved, too (we are looking at you Senator Nancy Binay!).
So we’ve had a little chat with our favorite designers and the promise of this year’s presidential speech is proven to be exciting fashion-wise, at least.
After two years of wearing Cary Santiago, Kris Aquino opts for young designer Michael Leyva. “[It’s a] modern Maria Clara [in] tiffany blue and made of piña callado,” says the designer. We also can’t wait to see how Rajo Laurel interprets a cropped top-full skirt separates for Tootsy Echauz-Angara (also Senator Grace Poe’s and Lani Mercado’s). And, oh my, Heart Evangelista-Escudero. Last year’s was a stunning cage-sleeved white terno by Joey Samson but who will she wear today? Most importantly, can Senator Nancy Binay and designer Randy Ortiz make up for last year’s unapplauded bubble skirt? They still chose to stick with each other this year so we’d have to see about that.
The dress code has always been Filipiniana. And just like the bills they pass in congress, who’ll get Preen’s stamp of approval and who’ll be just, seriously guys, look unlawful?
With the help of our friends at @inquirerlifestyle and Inquirer.net, and also you guys, we bring you the SONA 2015 Preen fashion coverage!
Click the slideshow above for the live coverage—the best, the worst, and the super confusing looks.
Note: Continue hitting the refresh button for an updated story and slideshow.
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11:40 a.m. Senator Grace Poe graces the halls with a pristine white terno by Paul Cabral.
12:23 p.m. Senator Nancy Binay ‘bores’ with a blue gown by Randy Ortiz.
12:42 p.m. Senators Cynthia Villar and Pia Cayetano join the other early birds with matching pink numbers.
Around 2:00 p.m. Kris Aquino posts a family photo, where you could see her and her kids clad in their SONA wear. That blue Michael Leyva gown is doing wonders to the Presidential sister.
2:17 p.m. Ashley Gabit, granddaughter of Rep. Manuel Aguiao of the Kalinga province, comes in a colored tapis.
2:21 p.m. Lanao del Norte Representative Imelda Dimaporo comes in an embellished peach gown.
2:29 p.m. Actress Heart Evangelista has a pair of wings on her sleeves. She wears an Inno Sotto gown.
2:33 p.m. Cindy Ejercito, wife of Senator JV Ejercito, wears a black-and-white number by Paul Cabral.
2:39 p.m. Tootsie Angara, wife of Sen. Sonny Angara, shines in a silver Rajo Laurel number.
2:48 p.m. Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo is with wife Stella in Jun Escario.
2:49 p.m. Shalani Soledad walks with husband Pasig Representative Roman Romulo and sister in law Mons.
2:49 p.m. Dawn Zulueta is blooming in that white Randy Ortiz number with loud, floral sleeves.
2:50 p.m. Risa Hontiveros brings sunshine to the court in Joel Azebuche.
2:59 p.m. Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares enters the hall, not knowing who she’s wearing.
3:06 p.m. PAGCOR Chairman Cristino Naguiat and wife Tet arrived in the hall, with the latter clad in a trypophobia-inducing gown.
Around 4:10 p.m. Volleyball star turned Taguig congressman Lino Cayteano’s wife Fille Cainglet dons what seems to be a white number. Now if we can only see the lower half of what she’s wearing, we could’ve said more.
4:10 p.m. PNoy starts his SONA.
4:29 p.m. Richard Gomez and Representative Lucy Torres are running fashionably late.
4:40 p.m. Jinkee Pacquiao may be late, but she’s the first to proudly flaunt the fern—err, green detail on that Frances Libiran gown.
4:49 p.m. Finally, the Gomez family arrives.
Regine Velazquez is in the house—wait, why is she there again?
6: 16 p.m. PNoy ends his SONA.
That’s a wrap. Now, what did you think of the fashion and, more importantly, our president’s last trending address?