TERNOCON introduces the 14 Filipino fashion designers part of second round workshop-mentoring

Ternocon recently introduced fourteen Filipino designers who will take part in the second workshop-mentoring with some of the country's fashion experts at the Bench Tower in BGC, Taguig.

The national terno-making convention and competition for Filipino designers is in its fourth year and it continues its mission of preserving and promoting the Philippine dress as part of a collaborative initiative between the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Bench.

Ternocon 2025 draws inspiration from 20th century Philippine contemporary art, encompassing various movements, perspectives, and principles, such as works embodied by National Artist Ang Kiukok, National Artist Abdulmari Imao, Lao Lianben, and Anita Magsaysay-Ho.

Kaye Tinga, CCP President 

"The creativity of our young designers, all while remaining deeply rooted in Filipino design and craftsmanship has been nothing short of inspiring," CCP President Kaye Tinga said during the presscon. "It is this blend of innovation and tradition that makes Ternocon truly special."

Out of 82 applicants, the 12 finalists are: Windell Madis, Geomarie Hernandez, Johnoel Marin, Patrick Lazol, Jericho Gonzales, Irene Subang, Bryan Peralta, Peach Garde, Ram Silva, Lexter Badana, Jared Palmejar, Monina Gatan, while the 2 semi-finalists are: Xioti Chiu and Jema Gamer who come from Ilocos Norte, La Union, Tarlac, Batangas, Capiz, Silay, Iloilo, South Cotabato, Davao, Makati, Taguig, Quezon City, and Manila.

With some of the country’s experts in design guiding them, the participants had their first mentoring-workshop last June 17-22 at the Training Center of the Baguio Country Club. Led by Ternocon’s Chief Mentor since 2018 Inno Sotto, they received guidance and mentoring from Ezra Santos, Lulu Tan-Gan, Rhett Eala, TernoCon’s Founding Artistic Director Gino Gonzales and present Artistic Director Ricardo Eric Cruz. The workshop lectures include topics on the history of the terno, balintawak and kimona design parameters; knitting and fabric manipulation; new technology, colors & patterns; traditional techniques, understructure & embellishments.

The participants then started working on their capsule three-piece collection consisting of a formal terno with pañuelo, a formal balintawak with an alampay and tapis, and a formal kimona (a camisa or pull-over blouse) with an alampay and a patadyong (a tube-like wraparound skirt).

Ricardo Eric Cruz, Ternocon Artistic Director

“The goal is to continue what was already started: to popularize the Terno as our national garment and stick to the proper measurement, how it should be worn. These are the garments that somehow stand out and differentiate us from our Asian neighbors and our Western counterparts. We have to find ways on how to improve it, while at the same time conserving its core aesthetic elements,” says Ternocon artistic director Ricardo Eric Cruz.

The CCP and Bench continue to champion the best of Philippine arts and culture through Ternocon, highlighting the importance of preserving tradition while adapting to contemporary trends. With the rise of the terno in modern outfits today, maintain its correct form remains important no matter what variations it undergoes.

 Ben Chan, BENCH Founder

“It has always been our passion to promote Filipino culture through fashion design. With Ternocon, we preserve an integral part of our Filipino heritage through education, exhibition, and public awareness,” says Suyen Corporation Chairman and CEO Ben Chan.

Through Ternocon, the legacy of the Philippine dress is revitalized and sustained as it is seamlessly integrated into everyday lives. Ternocon2025 is implemented in partnership with the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc., Baguio Country Club, St. Louis University, and Seda Hotel BGC.

For more information on Ternocon 2025, visit the CCP website, Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram pages, as well as the Facebook pages of Ternocon, Bench, and the CCP Cultural Exchange Department. By Dexter R. Matilla