ABS-CBN Ball 2019: These Are Jo Rubio's Takes On "Modern Filipiniana"

Who could forget the white midi terno dress Heart Evangelista wore to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2017? It was an elegant and modern-chic look that left a lasting impression, so much so Christian Bautista's wife Kat Ramnani even confessed she got inspired by this creation for her outfit at their Tagaytay wedding reception.

These are just two of the beautiful Filipiniana outfits that have made their way out from fashion designer Jo Rubio's workshop to the consciousness and filed pegs of many modern Filipinas. Jo is skilled in bridalwear, formal wear, and menswear, but his romantic, sophisticated, and modern-chic take on Filipiniana is also not to be missed.

For Jo, a beautiful terno must have the following elements: "perfect execution, symmetry, artistic flair and degree of difficulty." These are always present in his Filipiniana creations, which is why he is also the go-to designer of The Philippine Madrigal Singers for their various performances that require outfits that stunningly showcase the beauty of the traditional Filipino clothing.  

With the dress code of the ABS-CBN Ball 2019 identified as "Modern Filipiniana," it was not surprising that Jo was one of the designers who was tapped to create outfits for some of the brightest celebrities in the country. The dress code chosen is aligned with the theme of the Ball, which is the celebration of ABS-CBN's 65th year of being in service to the Filipino people. The event was organized to raise funds for the Bantay Edukasyon program of Bantay Bata. 

In this exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Jo shared his thoughts about Modern Filipiniana and why it's relevant to promote its beauty now more than ever. 

Photographs by Magic Liwanag, additional photos courtesy of Jo Rubio