John Randolph Manucom

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SONA 2026 Metro Style Watch

<p>For the fifth<strong> State of the Nation Address </strong>o<strong>f President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</strong>, the country&#x27;s political figures once again turned to Filipino dress as they gathered at the Batasang Pambansa on July 27.</p><p>The fashion landscape looked noticeably more restrained this year. Ahead of <strong>SONA 2026</strong>, lawmakers were asked to come in simple Filipiniana, in keeping with an event that the government described as “simple” and “dignified.” There would be no traditional red carpet and, notably, attendees were encouraged to exercise restraint.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851392270813 (2).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Still, simplicity left plenty of room for personal style. Across the first arrivals, the codes of Filipiniana remained immediately recognizable. Butterfly sleeves appeared in different proportions, from sharply structured shoulders to softer, more romantic iterations. The terno was streamlined into column dresses and fitted midis, while other guests approached Filipino dress through tailored separates and contemporary silhouettes.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>A Softer Palette Takes Over SONA</strong></div><p>White, ivory and powder blue emerged as some of the day&#x27;s strongest colors, giving the traditional silhouettes a lighter quality.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851273915294.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Rather than relying on heavy embroidery or elaborate volume, several looks allowed construction to take center stage. Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, in Pablo Cabahug, wore a white ruched midi that draws the eye directly toward its sculptural butterfly sleeves, while Chandreena Tulfo, in Michael Leyva, opted for ivory and bold silhouette.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851273459096.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Blue provided another recurring thread. Pale shades appeared on both dresses and tailoring, including Senator Risa Hontiveros&#x27; blue Filipiniana-inspired ensemble by Jo Rubio, whose structured sleeves bring a distinctly Filipino character to an otherwise modern silhouette. Hontiveros&#x27; look was styled by Studio 24C, with makeup by Jim Ryan Ros and hair by JM Quebic. Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez&#x27;s second look, this time by Mark Bumgarner, takes an especially sophisticated approach also the same hue.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851273561312.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Jocelyn Tulfo, meanwhile, arrived in Rajo Laurel, choosing a cream Filipiniana that continued the softer palette seen throughout the day. Its sculpted sleeves and gently gathered silhouette offered another interpretation of the traditional form while keeping with the restrained mood of this year&#x27;s SONA.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851273651693.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Butterfly Sleeve Remains the Hero</strong></div><p>If there is one element connecting many of the looks at SONA 2026, it is the unmistakable butterfly sleeve.</p><p>The familiar shape appears across gowns, dresses, tops and tailored pieces, showing how easily one of Philippine fashion&#x27;s most recognizable design signatures can move between traditional and contemporary wardrobes.</p><p>Some women kept the sleeve crisp and architectural. Others chose softer pleating, rounded volume or abbreviated proportions. Paired with increasingly pared-back silhouettes, the sleeve becomes the defining detail rather than one element among layers of ornamentation.</p><p>See more of our favorite standout looks here! </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178513765204911.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851376855114.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851377122715.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851377245736.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851377426122.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851377606729.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851385682598.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17851395926372 (2).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785139632473Screenshot 2026-07-27 at 4.06.53 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785140429212Screenshot 2026-07-27 at 4.20.10 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>

<p><b>From sculpted butterfly sleeves to restrained takes on the terno, the women of Philippine politics arrived at the Batasang Pambansa in looks that reflected this year's call for simplicity</b></p>

From sculpted butterfly sleeves to restrained takes on the terno, the women of Philippine politics arrived at the Batasang Pambansa in looks that reflected this year's call for simplicity

The Standout Filipiniana Looks at SONA 2026

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The Standout Filipiniana Looks at SONA 2026

Metro.Style Team

Published July 27, 2026 12:33 PM PHT

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Updated July 27, 2026 04:20 PM PHT

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SONA 2026

State of the Nation Address 2026

SONA 2026 fashion

SONA 2026 Filipiniana

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Filipiniana fashion

modern Filipiniana

contemporary Filipiniana

Filipino fashion

Philippine fashion

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