The Philippine Terno Gala made its much-anticipated return to Cebu on Saturday night, attracting leaders in fashion, culture and business to the Pacific Grand Ballroom at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
Now in its third iteration, the gala was led by acclaimed couturier Cary Santiago, who spearheaded the evening with bold, contemporary interpretations of the traditional Philippine terno.
Santiago was joined by five notable designers: Cebu-based talents Edwin Ao, Jun Escario and Protacio Empaces, as well as Manila-based Jojie Lloren and Joey Samson.
The event, co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and supported by the Cebu City Tourism Commission under City Councilor Joy Pesquera, was directed by Junjet Primor.
It aimed to both celebrate Filipino identity and promote the country’s emerging fashion economy.
Highlights included Empaces’s intricate heritage embroideries, Escario’s finely cut silk-and-piña gowns and cape-sleeved pantsuits, Ao’s architectural layering in red and white, Samson’s tuxedo-style terno fusions, and Lloren’s emotionally driven designs paying tribute to personal and cultural narratives.
The evening also featured a pre-show reception spotlighting Cebuano cuisine, underscoring the gala’s broader cultural and economic impact on the region. It concluded with Santiago’s nature-inspired couture finale, featuring feathers and lavish tailoring.
Business figures such as Bea Zobel de Ayala Jr., Alice Eduardo and Yedda Romualdez were among those who served as muses and sponsors, affirming the gala’s growing prominence as both a cultural and commercial platform.
Business News Asia