Philippine visual arts and fashion scenes intertwine in Filipiniana x Obra, an exhibit featuring capsule collections designed by winners, mentors, and finalists of the recent TernoCon 2025.
TernoCon, established in 2018, is a biennial terno-making workshop and competition that aims to immortalize the Philippine national dress or terno.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) organized it in partnership with BENCH/Suyen Corporation, this visual treat is open to the public until May 4 at the Sandiganbayan reception hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
“TernoCon plays a crucial role in CCP’s dedication to providing an avenue for the exploration of budding fashion designers. While promoting the excellent craftsmanship behind the reinterpretations of the national dress, the Filipiniana x Obra exhibit sustains the dialogue TernoCon started and integrates it with the profound portrayal of Philippine culture through visual arts,” said CCP president Kaye C. Tinga.
Following TernoCon 2025’s successful runway showcase last January 26, the Filipiniana x Obra exhibit displays iconic terno collections inspired by the visual masterpieces of Filipino artists—a lot of whom are National Artists—who have shaped the nation’s cultural and artistic landscape.
Visitors may view the winning collection by Peach Garde of Tapaz, Capiz who won the Pacita Longos Medal (old award) of TernoCon 2025. Garde’s pieces reinterpret the works of National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, like the Philippine International Convention Center and the CCP main building.
Bryan Peralta, winner of the Pura Escurdia Award (silver prize), captures the simplicity of the works of National Artist for Visual Arts Jose Joya.
Meanwhile, Ram Silva, the Ramon Valera Award (bronze) recipient, draws inspiration from National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s appreciation of the countryside.
Winner of the Joe Salazar Medal (chief mentor’s award), Windell Madis, presents the terno through the lens of National Artist Hernando Ocampo’s vibrant geometric style.
TernoCon 2025 finalists Koko Gonzales, Jared Servano, Lexter Badana, Geom Hernandez, Patrick Lazol, Nina Gatan, Irene Subang, and Jema Gamer also share their prized garments in Filipiniana x Obra. Semi-finalist Noel Marin, who leaned into the traditional materials used in enagua (petticoat), presents the national dress in pastel colors.
Filipiniana x Obra also offers the works of TernoCon mentors Ezra Santos, Lulu Tan-Gan, and Rhett Eala.
Now with her own brand, TernoCon 2023 grand prize winner Yssa Inumerable also participates in the exhibit as she advocates for upcycling and slow fashion.
Besides the terno, Filipiniana x Obra presents a collection of artworks that are imprinted on the Philippine cultural tapestry. It includes Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s Three Women with Baskets, Lao Lianben’s Rain, and Ocampo’s Abstract. Joya’s New York City No. 2, and National Artist Ang Kiukok’s Still Life: Table, are also displayed alongside Ramon Orlina’s glass sculpture Elegance in Simplicity.
