Nationalism in Sona '10 fashion

MANILA -- In the highly anticipated first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of the President on Monday, ladies, clad in Maria Clara and terno gowns, swarmed the House of Representatives.

Invited guests and wives of lawmakers wore subtle designer gowns, adorned with less fine jewelry with matching smaller clutches.

Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency

Manila-based designer Jan Garcia, who dressed Regina Reyes-Mandanas, the wife of Batangas Representative Dodo Mandanas, said that most of the attendees chose more comfort and cut designs.

Garcia said the ladies were still at their best lighter-colored fabric Maria Clara.

"First time I attended this event was two years ago. Last year, I can say that all the gowns are big, colorful, and grand. Last year was all about trains, now they can walk nicely in their gown," he said.

Deputy Speaker Raul Daza's wife, Tessie Daza, stunned the crowd with her "Cory" yellow Puey Quinones gown.

Mrs. Daza has drawn the best comments during the event. She also had her nails lacquered with the very popular peace sign and wore a personalized peace-sign necklaces paired with a peace-sign detailed waistband.

She said she really tried to incorporate the peace vibe in her clothes. Her daughter Gina Daza-Sadhwani was also clad with a Puey Quinones yellow and black terno paired with a vintage bag from her mom.

Former Department of Trade and Industry undersecretary Carissa Cruz and fifth district of Iloilo first lady Angeli Tupas also wore their yellow terno.

Paul Cabral made Cruz's gown, while Tupas's was a creation of Sammy Amante Jr.

Anna Dy, wife of Isabela third district Representative Faustino Dy, was in her brown Rajo Laurel gown that afternoon, while Maridol Apacible was in her light green Joe Salazar creation.

The Grande Dame of Philippine Fashion Patis Tesoro was also a dominant choice on long gowns as Rosalie Treñas, Imelda Dimaporo, and Dandy Gomez chose her designs for the event.

Television actress Assunta de Rossi, wife of Bacolod Representative Jules Ledesma, was dressed in a yellow Avel Bacudio gown, while Jinkee Pacquiao shimmered in her peach beaded Pepsi Herrera creation.

Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, who was escorted by husband Richard, was definitely a lady in blue in her Randy Ortiz Gown.

Sun.Star has also snapped red carpet photos of Jing Rodriguez, wife of Abante Mindanao (Abamin) Representative Maximo Rodriguez, who was in a blue terno designed by her daughter; Tarlac second district Congresswoman Susan Yap in Lia Armvit; Stella Quimbo, wife of Congressman Miro Quimbo of Marikina second district, in a white and black Jun Escario terno; Marie Grace Evardone in a pink Francis Libiran gown; Salome Aquino in a pink Drezzee gown; Cindy Ejercito wearing Frederick Peralta's creation; and Kaye Tinga in Pepito Albert's gown.

President Benigno Aquino III's Sona was not just a mere report of the country's progress and set-backs, but also a reflection of Maria Clara and terno's evolution in the red carpet. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)