BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Today, the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City will be transformed into a fashion runway of sorts as legislators, government officials and invited guests dress up for the yearly State of the Nation Address (Sona) of the President.
In years past, they strutted their designer clothes down the red carpet leading to the Session Hall.
Rep. Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas Jr. of Iloilo’s 5th District told Panay News he and wife, Atty. Yvonne Angeli Lee-Tupas are ready for President Benigno Aquino III’s fifth Sona.
His wife, Tupas Jr. said, will wear a simple Edgar San Diego stylized magenta and off-white barong gown.
San Diego had designed costumes for musical productions like “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Wizard of Oz” and “Little Mermaid.”
The Ilonggo solon said he will wear a plain piña barong by Manila-based designer Sammy Amante Jr.
For his part, Rep. Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City said only his youngest son, Jose Juan Paolo will join him in this year’s Sona.
His wife, Rosalie accompanied him in the Sona three times in the past and has decided to watch it on television this year, shared Treñas.
It will be Paolo’s first time to attend a very important event, he told this writer.
The lone district congressman said he will wear a jusi barong “with a yellow ribbon.”
The ribbon, he added, indicates his support for Aquino.
Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo’s 3rd District said the barong he will wear to the Sona is “the same old ordinary barong.”
He won’t sport a yellow ribbon on his barong, added Defensor.
The congressman said he will be with his father, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. during the Sona.
Former congresswoman and now Health Undersecretary Janet Garin said she won’t attend today’s event.
“In the province ako (I am in the province),” she said in a text message.
Rep. Albee Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District will wear a piña barong to the Sona.
He will bring his whole family to listen to the President’s annual report, said Benitez.
Panay News tried to reach congressmen Arcadio Gorriceta (2nd District, Iloilo) and Richard Garin (1st District, Iloilo) regarding their preparations but to no avail.
In 2013, Iloilo City’s Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago criticized members of Congress for treating the Sona like Hollywood’s annual Academy Awards.
“Don’t get me wrong. I am very proud of our local fabrics and our local designers, some of whom are world-class. But the Sona is not the proper venue for their talents,” said Santiago.
A “uniform” should be prescribed to those attending the Sona, according to her.
For women, it should be a short pencil skirt and a simple short-sleeved barong blouse, she suggested.
Men should wear a plain long-sleeved barong, stressed Santiago.
“Both men and women could wear a ceremonial ribbon with the Congress logo. For the gallery, it should be office attire,” Santiago said./PN
