The final competition and cultural show of the third edition of TernoCon at the CCP Black Box Theater was a night filled with pride for Filipino culture and heritage.

March 15, 2023

After months of preparation and workshop mentoring, the third edition of TernoCon culminated last January 28 at the brand new Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez Black Box Theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Twelve finalists took on the mission of reimagining the terno for the modern-day Filipino, namely: Amor Albano (Ilocos Norte), Glyn Alley Magtibay (Oriental Mindoro), Bon Hansen Reyes (Rizal), Gabbie Sarenas (Rizal), and Geom Hernandez (Batangas) from Luzon; Bree Esplanada (Cebu), Karl Nadales (Iloilo), Al Rey Rosano (Negros Oriental), and Marc Carcillar (Iloilo) from Visayas; Gladys Rose Pantua (Zamboanga) from Mindanao; Yssa Inumerable (Parañaque) and Dee Javier (Manila) from the National Capital Region (NCR).

Three designers emerged victorious. Yssa Inumerable was crowned the grand winner of this iteration of TernoCon, receiving the newly titled Pacita Longos award for her unique interpretation of the Balintawak, followed by Gabbie Sarenas, who took home the Pura Escurdia award. Gladys Rose Pantua placed third, receiving the Ramon Valera award.

TernoCon 3 focuses on the Balintawak, the country version of the terno. Aside from a camisa (blouse) with butterfly sleeves and a saya (skirt), the Balintawak has two key components: a matching alampay (a soft kerchief) and tapis (a strip of cloth wrapped around the waist).

The sartorial geniuses of chief mentor Inno Sotto and mentors Dennis Lustico, Chito Vijandre, Ricky Toledo, and Joey Samson, guided the finalists, together with TernoCon artistic director Gino Gonzales.

During the occasion, the finalists presented their Balintawak creations in a runway show. TernoCon 2 grand winner Hannah Adrias returned to showcase her designs. Top designers Dennis Lustico, Joey Samson, Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo presented their collections as well. Vijandre and Toledo’s first model flounced onstage to punch in her favorite song on a jukebox, leading to a karaoke session with the rest of their models.

In line with his advocacy to embrace and celebrate Filipino heritage, Ben Chan, chairman and CEO of Suyen Corporation, aims to raise awareness about the cultural significance of the terno among the next generation through TernoCon.

“The national dress is important to us not just because we are in the business of fashion, but because we are, foremost, Filipinos. It links us to our past in both personal and national ways,” said Mr. Chan in his speech during the event.

TernoCon is a collaboration project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, led by its president Margarita Moran-Floirendo, and Bench.