Fashion
The Best Dressed Attendees at the SONA 2025
This year, attendees were urged to keep their formalwear simple and understated.
Published on Jul 28, 2025
Ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, the House of Representatives released a memo on Friday, July 25, calling for a more restrained tone to mark the occasion. While the dress code remained formal, the advisory encouraged House members and guests to forgo extravagant fashion choices. “Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices,” read the memorandum signed by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
Traditionally, the North Wing of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City transforms into a red carpet staging area, where press and photographers gather to document the yearly sartorial parade of statesmen and dignitaries.
This year, however, the red carpet served strictly as a route for official ingress and ceremonial proceedings. In line with the new directive, the usual runway-like setup was scrapped; physical red carpets were removed from both the north and south wing lobbies. Only the main lobby’s permanent carpet remained, allowing for a brief stop for guests to entertain media interviews.
The shift in tone comes after the onslaught of three consecutive typhoons that affected different parts of the country. “These adjustments reflect our solidarity with affected communities and our commitment to uphold the dignity of this national gathering,” the memo stated.
Nonetheless, while the red carpet this year was more pared-back, attendees once again put the country’s sartorial heritage front and center. Clad in contemporary iterations of traditional formalwear by Filipino designers, guests continued to uphold the state affair's formal dress code. The event saw an array of modern terno ensembles, dominated by streamlined silhouettes, crisp white hues, and delicate draping.
Ahead, we’ve shortlisted some of the best looks spotted during the 2025 State of the Nation Address.
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The Best Dressed Guests at the 2025 State of the Nation Address
1. Atty. Margarita Gutierrez in Mark Bumgarner, styled by Vhee Co
Mark Bumgarner once again demonstrates his mastery of construction with this butter yellow terno gown for DOJ Undersecretary, Atty. Margarita Gutierrez. Structured up top with a corseted bodice and sharply sculpted butterfly sleeves, the look finds balance in the cascading drapes that sweep across the bust and flowing down the mermaid-cut skirt.
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PHOTO: MJ FELICIANO VIA INSTAGRAM/MARKBUMGARNER.
2. Tootsy Angara in Rajo Laurel
Rajo Laurel captures the spirit of modern Filipiniana elegance through a sculptural creation for Tootsy Angara. Crafted from Abaca silk woven by artisans in Abra, the piece features a finely pleated bodice that transitions seamlessly into a draped floor-length skirt.
The fabric’s natural sheen adds a subtle luminosity to the ensemble. “[The Abaca silk] has this quality that lends itself into making these wonderful sculptural shapes,” Rajo shared in an Instagram post.
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PHOTO: ALVIN CHUA VIA INSTAGRAM/CARELLGARCIA_.
3. Em Villar in Ivar Aseron, styled by Cath Sobrevega and Mika Alejo
Em Villar, spouse of Senator Mark Villar, arrived in a custom piece by Ivar Aseron. The design highlights a structured square neckline and classic butterfly sleeves, contrasted by a tiered skirt. A sheer underlayer peeks from beneath a textured opaque overlay, finished with an asymmetrical drape. Gold-plated chain necklaces from Riqueza Jewelry, layered across her chest, punctuated the regal ensemble.
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF CATH SOBREVEGA.
4. Pia Jauncey in Mark Bumgarner, styled by Perry Tabora
Pia Jauncey was among this year's attendees.
The HIV awareness advocate and style maven took on a power dressing look in a Filipiniana-inspired set by Mark Bumgarner. Embellished with sequined floral motifs, the blazer-style top is fashioned as a terno, designed with a peplum waist and elongated lapels. Evidently, the silhouette seems to reference Christian Dior’s iconic “New Look” silhouette from 1947.
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/KVENTURILLO.
5. Heart Evangelista in Michael Leyva, styled by Iza Sim
“Perfection in simplicity,” as described by designer Michael Leyva, aptly captures Heart Evangelista’s 2025 SONA ensemble. With a streak of refined Filipiniana looks in past years, the Senate first lady chose a minimal yet refined silhouette with gentle ruching across the bodice and down the side. Styling was kept pared-back with a sleek ponytail and soft, barely-there makeup.
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MICHAELLEYVA_.
6. Dr. Aivee Teo in Paul Cabral
Dr. Aivee Teo stood out in a timeless black-and-white terno by Paul Cabral. The design played with contrast and texture, combining French lace panels with polka-dot printed fabric, yielding a look that was both classic and refreshingly contemporary.
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/DRAIVEE.
7. Yassi Pressman in Anthony Ramirez, styled by Sef Loseo
Yassi Pressman was a sophisticated sight in a powder blue terno by Anthony Ramirez, distinguished by its sculpted silhouette and meticulous draping.
The bodice wraps diagonally across the torso, creating a flattering, cinched effect, while the butterfly sleeves are softly ruched and anchored by a delicate knot at the shoulder. She pairs the look with a pearlescent, shell-shaped clutch—its curved, organic form adding a tactile dimension to the ensemble.
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SEFLOSEA.
8. Cong. Kathy Gorriceta in Ram Silva, styled by Cath Sobrevega and Mika Alejo
Congresswoman Kathy Gorriceta pays homage to the Baje community of Iloilo—a group of women weavers from the highlands of Leon who have preserved the tradition of banig weaving for generations.
To bring this vision to life, designer Ram Silva incorporated the community’s intricate weaving technique into the terno’s butterfly sleeves and wraparound skirt.
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF CATH SOBREVEGA.
9. Risa Hontiveros in Michael Leyva, styled by Melville Sy and Maita Baello of Studio 24c
Senator Risa Hontiveros channeled romantic suiting in a lace Filipiniana blazer by Michael Leyva, layered over a streamlined, floor-grazing white dress. A quiet standout, the look married romantic elements with the authority of structured suiting—fitting for the progressive senator’s presence at the national address.
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PHOTO: KYLE VENTURILLO VIA INSTAGRAM/STUDIO.24C.
10. Gladys Cruz-Villanueva in Michael Leyva
Michael Leyva’s reinterpretation of the terno took a modern turn with this jumpsuit worn by Gladys Cruz-Villanueva, wife of Senator Joel Villanueva. The black ensemble features floral appliqués arranged along the right shoulder and neckline, offering a touch of drama within a sleek silhouette.
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MICHAELLEYVA_.
Pau is Preview’s go-to fashion girl. On most days, you’ll find her with headphones on, coffee in hand, and likely dressed in an oversized blazer and floor-grazing jeans.