Ternocon Brings Terno Magic to Laguna
The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Bench bring the Ternocon’s "Fashioning the Terno" workshop and exhibition to Biñan City, Laguna, gathering 24 local designers to passionately preserve and elevate the traditional Philippine dress under the expert guidance of renowned fashion masters.
Words Rebelyn Beyong
Photos courtesy of Bench and Cultural Center of the Philippines
June 03, 2026
The iconic butterfly sleeves of the traditional Philippine dress are fluttering their way to Biñan City, Laguna, in a magnificent celebration of local fashion, culture, and heritage.
Driven by a clear and dedicated mission to preserve and promote the Philippine dress, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has proudly partnered with Bench/Suyen Corporation and the local government of Biñan City in Laguna.
Together, they hosted an immersive, in-depth terno-making workshop last May 19 to 24, alongside a breathtaking exhibition that runs from May 22 to June 28 at the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan. This dynamic initiative ensures that the country's sartorial legacy remains a vibrant, evolving art form rather than a static relic of the past.
Fashioning the terno across the archipelago
Billed as “Fashioning the Terno,” this expansive educational and masterclass series is currently embarking on its highly anticipated Luzon leg.
The nationwide cultural initiative originally kicked off its regional tour in October 2025, bringing its comprehensive curriculum to the Mindanao leg in Iligan City.
This successful launch was subsequently followed by the Visayas leg, hosted in the historic Iloilo City last April.
Now, this current iteration warmly welcomes a carefully curated group of 24 local designers representing the National Capital Region and a diverse array of Luzon provinces.
These passionate participants proudly hail from Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Batangas, Mindoro, and the host province of Laguna, all gathering to deeply refine their craft and structural techniques.
An exhibition of masterful craftsmanship
Simultaneous to the rigorous educational workshops, an exquisite fashion exhibition is set to captivate art and design enthusiasts from all walks of life.
The public showcase will prominently feature stunning ‘ternos’ meticulously crafted by the recent Ternocon 2025 winners and finalists, including the talented Peach Garde, Bryan Peralta, Ram Silva, and Windell Madis.
Elevating the visual feast, these outstanding contemporary pieces will be proudly displayed alongside breathtaking masterworks by legendary fashion mentors Ezra Santos, Rhett Eala, and Lulu Tan Gan.
The exhibit serves as a vivid, tangible testament to the continuous evolution and artistic possibilities of the national garment.
Intensive mentorship for Future Innovators
To ensure the absolute highest quality of heritage preservation, the 24 Luzon participants will undergo intensive hands-on training on terno making, perfectly complemented by highly relevant lectures from masters of the craft.
This specialized training is led by a true powerhouse roster of industry experts, including Ternocon founding artistic director Gino Gonzales, former mentor Lulu Tan Gan, current artistic director Ricardo Eric Cruz, and 2020 chief mentor awardee Abdul Gaffar.
Joining this esteemed and knowledgeable panel are Carolina de Leon, Ternocon 2020 Bronze Medalist Dinnes Obusan, 2025 Silver Medalist Bryan Peralta, and 2025 Mentors’ Choice Awardee Windell Madis.
By equipping these brilliant creative minds with unparalleled technical skills, the initiative is actively setting the grand stage for the ultimate showcase of Philippine fashion.
As a culmination to these regional masterclasses, all dedicated workshop participants from the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao legs are officially qualified to submit their creative proposals for the upcoming main competition, which is slated for February 2027. The timeless beauty of the terno is undoubtedly in highly capable hands.
