Not once, but twice. For the senators, congressmen and their spouses, the dress code for last Monday’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) was business attire or Filipiniana, with the skirt a modest two inches below the knee. They wore two outfits, once to the Senate chambers to elect the Senate President, or for the representatives, to Batasang Pambansa to elect the Speaker, and later to listen to President Duterte’s first Sona.

Heart Evangelista-Escudero wore a white knee-length terno by Ivarluski Aseron, paired with a clutch she herself designed. For the Sona, she changed into chic pants and blazer set from Massimo Dutti and used an Hermès clutch.

But it was ex-beauty queen Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez who topped my best-dressed list. She wore two flawlessly feminine looks by Cary Santiago—for the Filipiniana, a terno dress with cabbage rose detail, and later, a skirt and pussycat-bow blouse in cream and sorbet pink.

Gretchen Barretto was in a Dior New Look-inspired jacket in embroidered jusi and lace by Inno Sotto. Vilma Santos wore two Danilo Franco numbers—a jusi skirt suit and a blouse with black blazer.

With our brand-new President Duterte calling for sincere and swift changes, how wonderful to see our elected officials united in wearing understated Pinoy elegance in the Sona.

Hey, even Imelda Marcos did not dress Imeldific.