THE third edition of Ternocon culminated with the judging of 12 finalists and awarding of three winners on Jan. 28, 2023. Because the Cultural Center of the Philippines' main theater is under renovation for the next three years, the event was held at the CCP's new Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez black box theater at the corner of Jalandoni and Sotto streets. Though it is much smaller and less grand than the CCP without the historically significant brutalist architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin, the interior space of the "TIG" matched the theme of the Ternocon 3 being a homage to the less formal terno, the balintawak. The stage and fashion runway cut through the box architecture in half, flanked by bleacher-style seats on both sides.
I have been hosting the Ternocon "pasinaya," or previews, since the project started five years ago. It is a bi-annual heritage fashion design program that focuses on mentorship and education for 12 chosen finalists from all over the Philippines. It's been wonderful seeing the program grow to what it is today with the support of Ben Chan and Suyen Corp. The terno project is personal and nostalgic for the Chan family as the Philippine cornstarch, or gawgaw, was sold by their ancestors Chan Lib and See Ying in smaller packs under the brand Liwayway. The stiffened sleeves and panuelo of the terno would not have been possible without the handy Liwayway gawgaw. The retail and manufacturing arm of the modern-day Bench brand has made it possible for anyone to buy a casual but technically correct terno top and men's casual barongs in their mall stores. We now see the terno interpreted in various iterations in different fabrics from denim to ethnic weaves. Ternos are no longer relegated to being a costume, they are now worn by guests to weddings, business events and social gatherings.
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