Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 9) – Instead of the towering 33-foot-tall Christmas tree, it was the models and stars dressed in various renditions of the Philippine dress and barong that captured mallgoers’ attention on Saturday night at the Paskong TernoCon 2023 in Taguig.
The event held at SM Aura showed off the works of acclaimed Pinoy fashion designers Joey Samson and Lesley Mobo with the help of showbiz personalities.
Actress Janine Gutierrez opened the show, strutting down the runway in a standout plaid Filipiniana dress by Samson. Fellow actor David Licauco, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, also graced the show.
“It brings me back to ‘Maria Clara’ days somehow. Parang [It’s like] it’s Filipino heritage but then it’s also Christmas […] It makes me feel happy and parang [it’s like a] Christmas vibe,” Licauco said about the barong he donned in the show.
The holiday edition of TernoCon was the first time that the event was staged in a shopping mall. SM Supermalls, Bench / lifestyle + clothing, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) collaborated to make Paskong TernoCon 2023 happen.
“The main takeaway here is puwede pala. Puwede palang pang-araw araw ang damit na terno. Hindi lang ‘to pang-special na occasion [it’s possible to wear a terno every day, not just on special occasions],” SM Supermalls President Steven Tan said.
Samson and Mobo showed the versatility of the traditional Filipino attire. While Samson’s works focused on the elegance of “whitework,” or the use of white thread in needlework on a white garment, Mobo’s pieces were vibrant and stood out with the use of bold floral headpieces.
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“I think it’s more meaningful, ‘di ba [right]? Kasi [Because] it’s like you’re giving back to your country. And I’ve been giving a lot of services to other countries— working in different capitals abroad— and I think walang nakakapagbigay ng taba ng loob o nakakataba ng loob [nothing is more fulfilling than] when you’re actually doing it in the Philippines, and doing something that is meaningful to the Filipinos,” Mobo said about his participation in Paskong TernoCon.
The fashion designer has made a name for himself abroad, having dressed the likes of Kate Moss and Rihanna.
Stars were spotted both on and off the runway. Actor-politician Richard Gomez was in attendance, along with Miss Universe 1973 and CCP vice chairperson Margie Moran. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano also watched the show.
