For its fourth edition, TERNOCON, a national terno-making convention and competition for Filipino designers, continues its mission of preserving and promoting the Philippine dress.
Ternocon announces the 12 finalists and 2 semi-finalists who took part in the second workshop-mentoring on October 17-21, 2024 at the Bench Tower in BGC, Taguig.
Chosen from 82 applications, 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.
The finalists had their first mentoring-workshop last June 17-22 at the Training Center of the Baguio Country Club where they 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).
Guided by some of the country’s experts in design, this year’s workshop is led by Ternocon’s Chief Mentor since 2018, Inno Sotto, along with 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.
A collaborative initiative of 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.
“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, it is essential to maintain its correct form despite the many variations it takes on.
“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.
