The Manila Times SONA fashion ‘rizz list’ – and then some

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NANCY BINAY Nancy’s got it again! Congratulations are in order anew for the ever receptive and fabulously unflappable Senator Nancy Binay whose modern white Michael Leyva Filipiniana gown with sheer organza details displaces once and for all that once unforgettable hot air balloon mishap. Binay has never had a fashion faux pax since, and in the last several SONAs, has clinched the stylishly dignified look that befits a woman of her stature. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/MICHAELLEYVA

TOOTSY ANGARA Tootsy Angara, wife of Senator Sonny Angara, regains The Manila Times Lifestyle’s resounding praise for her 2023 SONA outfit. Following last year’s one-off disappointment (remember the frilly debutante frock that was just too sweet for attending the President’s official report?), she definitely rocks dainty this year in her Lesley Mobo modern tapis terno. The delicate yellow of the tiny sunny flowers sweetly liven up the palest blue fabric making up most of the gown with flashes of that sunny inner skirt effectively brings her message across. the first time – something happy and sunny ( hopefully) like our country’s future. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/TOOTSYANGARA

EMMELINE AGLIPAY-VILLAR Who doesn’t love a touch of red here and there, even on an official state occasion? The Manila Times Lifestyle is definitely loving former Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar’s clever use of the Manton de Manila on her terno, executed by the talented London-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo. Refreshing and ultra-feminine, the wife of Senator Mark Villar is no doubt the rose among the emerging floral Filipinana this year. What’s more, her delicatepearl jewelry picks from Riqueza and blood red purse by by Valdes Designs, respectively, up the elegance and bring that oomph to this winning SONA ensemble. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/EMAGLIPAYVILLAR

PBBM AND ALFRED VARGAS Best in barong. Besides the man of the hour, of course, President Bongbong Marcos, who wears the nation’s esteemed Barong Tagalog like a leader should – tailor-fit with sans a crease and with dignity and pride – The Manila Times Lifestyle nominates Quezon City 5th District Councilor Alfred Vargas as a close second for (remove this Best in Barong) in his pristine Francis Libiran, classic-cut trousers and Marikina- made footwear by Bucroe Shoes.PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO, INSTAGRAM PHOTO/ALFREDVARGAS

HEART EVANGELISTA Fresh from wearing that show-stopping Maison Schiaparelli haute couture marvel at Saturday night’s GMA Gala, multi-hyphenated artist and global fashion maven Heart Evangelista chooses a more low-key look as she steps back as Senator Francis Chiz Escudero’s “plus one” to the SONA today. For the morning session, the senator’s wife was a head turner, all the same, in a unique “banig” gown crafted by the talented designer Ivarluski Aseron, bringing on a bit of fun to the ensemble with a L’alingi London feather pouch. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

AUDREY TAN-ZUBIRI Consistently in the SONA best-dressed club, Audrey Tan-Zubiri, wife of Senate President Miguel Zubiri, joins this year’s floral Filipiniana trend in an off-the-shoulder gown by Rajo Laurel. The celebrated Filipino couturier names his charming creation “Panuelo and Tapis,” elaborating on Instagram that it is “a mix of patterns and embroidery for a contemporary take on the Filipiniana.” Tan-Zubiri completes the look with minimal accessories – slim and elegant dangling earrings, a lady’s dress watch, and an oval clutch bag from Beatriz. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/AUDREYTANZUBIRI

MARGA NOGRALES Giving The Manila Times a sneak peek of her ever-on-point SONA attire, Passionate Filipino fashion advocate and Tourism Promotions Board (TBP) Chief Operating Officer Marga Nograles Nograles said of her beauty-blooming look, “[On[ the second SONA of our president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., I proudly wear Puey Quinones’ take on the modern Filipinana and jewelry from Erica Concepcion Reyes’ archive collection. “After I took oath as the CEO of the Tourism Promotions Board, I stepped down from Kaayo and now made it my purpose to promote more and more of our indigenous communities and talented Filipino designers – not just from Mindanao – but from all over the Philippines. “As PBBM stated in his first SONA and my favorite quote, he said, ‘to foster the Filipino Brand is to spark our sense of pride and re-affirm our strong sense of identity. The talent and creativity of the Filipino is truly world-class!’ “Today, always and everyday, I will #carryyourculture and #LoveLocal as we work to bring more travels into our islands.” INSTAGRAM PHOTO/MARGANOGRALES

IMEE MARCOS Forever fashion-audacious Sen. Imee Marcos — the President’s sister — never tires of challenging style critics with her picks at every official occasion. At the Senate session opening, she certainly stood out in a muted pink and purple two-piece mini suit made from local fabrics. From dressing like a “Barbie doll,” though, she went all out for the SONA, layering rich and colorful fabrics from the Cordillera Administrative Region, complete with a headpiece. The look was a bit too heavy and busy to be “rizz.” PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

PERSIDA ACOSTA AND ROBIN PADILLA The Manila Times Lifestyle is putting the SONA outfits of Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta and Sen. Robin Padilla side by side this year, only because it seems like they’re rushing to a period movie set right after the President’s speech. Acosta, the well-followed columnist of The Manila Times, definitely makes a statement, be it in writing or dressing as the case may be. But in this Fidel Marquez creation, the latter, is more open to interpretation than the former. As for Sen. Padilla’s proudly “costs less than P7K barong,” – a piece from Onesimus’ handy ready-to-wear line of traditional men’s wear in silk cocoon – no complaints on your pick, “Ginoong Binoe.” Do heed this friendly reminder, though: You are an honorable senator of the Republic of the Philippines now. There’s no need for the thick theatrical ‘stache nor the printed Bonifacio t-shirt to make a statement. We all praised “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” already, but we continue to watch your performance on the Senate floor. PHOTOS FROM PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN AND SEN. PADILLA’S OFFICE

VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s startling Maguindanaon dress. Ever supportive of the overflowing talent of the South in fashion design, maybe the country’s lady boss and her chosen diligent Cotabato City-based designer Israel Ellah Ungkakay’s yellow gold longsleeved top and trouser number with similarly colored flowing inaul or malong, all deserve the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps because of the Vice President-slash-Secratary’s undoubtedly hectic work schedule, she and Ungkakay hardly had time to sit down and carefully flesh out what could have a been a promising concept, really. The effort is clearly there to go for gold, but – let’s neither forget to consider the canary yellow turban (a touch of India?) for an honest and comprehensive review–they went way too far – like North Pole far – with the precious idea. SCREENSHOT FROM RTVM LIVESTREAM