This year’s TernoCon contestants honor the Balintawak dress through a modern lens.
Twelve finalists were invited to debut their designs at the third edition of TernoCon, held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez Black Box Theatre last Saturday.
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Among the finalists is this year’s winner, Yssa Inumerable, who received the Pacita Longos award for her designs. Runner-up Gabbie Sarenas took home the Pura Escurdia award and Glady Rose Pantua received the Ramon Valera award for third place.
According to the competition’s website, the Balintawak’s key components include a camisa (blouse) with butterfly sleeves, a saya (skirt), an alampay (kerchief), and a tapis (a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist).
The dress was worn by Filipino women in the 1920s and 1930s to town fiestas, picnics, and pilgrimages to Antipolo.
“I chose the Balintawak in particular because I thought that since we’re emerging from the Pandemic, it’s the most appropriate attire,” says TernoCon artistic director Gino Gonzales.
“It’s a less formal version of the terno and it also connects people to the countryside, which is what people are pining for these days. In a way, it’s also less ostentatious… It’s the right time for it.”
The competition welcomed designers from all over the country for the first time since the pandemic.
Designers from NCR include Yssa Inumerable from Parañaque, Geom Hernandez from Batangas, and Dee Javier from Manila. Representing Luzon, we have Amor Albano from Ilocos Norte, Glyn Alley Magtibay from Oriental Mindoro, Bon Hansen Reyes from Rizal, and Gabbie Sarenas from Rizal.
All the way from Visayas, we have designers Bree Esplanada from Cebu, Karl Nadales from Iloilo, Al Rey Rosano from Negros Oriental, and Marc Carcillar from Iloilo. And lastly, from Mindanao, Glady Rose Pantua from Zamboanga made it to TernoCon’s finale.
Each contestant was mentored by one of the competition’s veteran designers, including Inno Sotto, Denis Lustico, Chito Vijandre, Ricky Toledo, and Joey Samson.
Glady Rose Pantua, the bronze awardee, featured local textiles from her city in her collection, as seen in the pants’ weaving and the delicate beading on the sheer fabric.
Runner-up Gabbie Sarenas leaned more towards the colors of a traditional Filipiniana, but with a more relaxed look, with a mix of modern patterns and floral drapings.
Lastly, this year’s winner Yssa Inumerable mixed local and Western styles in her collection. Using the traditional patterns and structure of the Balintawak, Inumerable incorporated elements of the classic 1800s Gibson Girl look.
The designs are completed with vivid fabrics and floral embroidery on the dress’ signature butterfly sleeves, creating a balance between the two contrasting cultures.
Banner image courtesy of TernoCon.
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