Just as this decades-old tradition is passed from one generation to the next, wouldn’t it be fitting to hand down the ternos and barongs as well?
The debut of a terno will always be special. Fresh out of a cocoon, the butterfly takes flight, fluttering, flaunting wings that are so unique. Now imagine a ballroom of elegantly-clad women and maidens. In Davao City, that’s an annual phenomenon.
Every June 29th for 61 years now, the ballrooms of Davao’s hotels have witnessed the regalia of the Hijos de Davao. Every year new butterflies emerge. Lately, the formal affair has seen a resurgence of ternos of the past, designer clothes worn by moms and grandmas in the previous galas. What was current then is vintage today, and vintage pieces exude a look and appeal of an era that cannot be replicated.
Perhaps the most numerous vintage ternos spotted was at the 50th Anniversary in 2015, a glittery affair where Pitoy Morenos, Casimiro Abads, Salvacion Lim-Higgins and Alfonso Guino-os were rubbing sleeves with creations of sought-after contemporary designers.
This year is no different. In the 61st Hijos de Davao gala, the mother-daughter tandem of Tina Tionko and Lea Imperial donned vintage Rudy Dandans. Tina’s in its original state (blessed are those who can still fit into their ternos from decades ago) and on Lea, an upcycled piece salvaging the original appliques onto a new terno by Aries Buenvenida. Malouchi Gahol’s Alfonso Guino-o piece with floral details once again bloomed in another Hijos de Davao affair.
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| Bebot Estanislao in Erwin Tan, Lea Imperial in Aries Buenvenida with upcycled Rudy Dadan appliques, Tonette Tionko in Louis Claparols |
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| Tasha Fortich in John Belandres, Malouchi Gahol in vintage Alfonso Guino-o and Gemma Velez in Bobby Castillo |
There were fresh sightings of ternos, with most curtsying at the Rigodon de Honor. Tonette Tionko was a modern-day Maria Clara in Louis Claparols while sister Tetel, whose turn came as a “Costado” dancer, inherited Tonette’s Oj Hofer pink lace drama. Gemma Velez shone like a gem in a pastel floral piece by Bobby Castillo, who also dressed young Sonia Sitjar in a deep jewel tone. Honorable Consul to Mexico Malu Monteverde was striking in pink with beaded bodice by Kenny Ledaga and Bebot Estanislao radiant in Erwin Tan’s terno with swirling pleated straps detailing. Jewelry designer Joan Pamintuan exhibited her admirable creativity on her terno top in hand-crocheted copper wire.
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| Malu Monteverde in Kenny Ledaga, Sophie Sitjar in Bobby Castillo & Tetel Tionko in Oj Hofer |
The pearl-toned numbers were divine. Dawn Lagdameo opted to don a classic column in champagne by Inno Sotto. JC Buendia kept it young for Christiana Ong with a pearly white terno with slim bow belt in black, while John Belandres detailed Tasha Fortich’s ivory terno with ebony blooms. Denise Taojo-Kaur was striking in a contemporary frilled white number by Dennis Lustico.
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| Christiana Ong in JC Buendia, Dennise Taojo-Kaur in Denis Lustico & Dawn Lagdameo in Inno Sotto |
If you ask me, I would love to see more vintage and even bequeathed Filipiniana finery in every Hijos de Davao affair. Beautiful butterflies need to fly no matter the era. Wearing it is something to be proud of. And it’s important to understand that just as the Hijos de Davao is an enduring affair, so is a beautifully designed terno, it transcends time and trends.
(Some photos courtesy of Hijos de Davao)