THE triumph of the terno continues. And, along with it, the kimona and the balintawak.
These distinctly Filipino dresses were the focus at the TernoCon 2025 Final Competition Night and Cultural Show held on January 26 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“This is the fourth edition of Ternocon, our advocacy to preserve and promote the Philippine terno through education, convention and competition. This year, we received a total of 82 entries from Ilocos Norte to South Cotabato,” said Suyen Corp./Bench head honcho Ben Chan.
The 12 finalists were given the brief to create three garments that celebrate our culture: The kimona with alampay draped on the shoulder and its wraparound skirt called patadyong. Second, the balintawak worn with the alampay and tapis, and third was the terno but with the addition of the panuelo.
“TernoCon plays a crucial role in CCP’s dedication to providing an avenue for the exploration of budding fashion designers. While promoting the excellent craftsmanship behind the reinterpretations of the national dress, the Filipiniana x Obra exhibit sustains the dialogue TernoCon started and integrates it with the profound portrayal of Philippine culture through visual arts,” said CCP president Kaye C. Tinga.
PEACH GARDE - Pacita Longos Award (Gold Medalist), awarded by Suyen Corp./Bench head honcho Ben Chan and CCP president Kaye C. Tinga.
L-R: WINDELL MADIS - (Joe Salazar Award/Chief Mentor's Award) | BRYAN PERALTA - Pura Escurdia Award (Silver Medalist) | RAM SILVA - Ramon Valera Award (Bronze Medalist) w/ Ben Chan & Kaye C. Tinga
This remarkable undertaking is a collaboration between Bench and the Cultural Center of the Philippines led by its president Kaye Tinga, Ricardo “Eric” Cruz, artistic director of Ternocon 2025, and Gino Gonzales, founding artistic director of Ternocon and artistic consultant of Ternocon 2025.
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WINDELL MADIS
(Joe Salazar Award/Chief Mentor's Award)
Madis’ fashion career started in 2015 when he became a finalist on Project Runway Philippines Season 3. He was a finalist in Ternocon Season 2 in 2020. His avant-garde and innovative streak attracted seasoned designer Jojie Lloren, where Madis worked as an assistant designer and project manager for five years.
Mentored by Rhett Eala, the rising talent from Batac City, Ilocos Norte, shares his thoughts on his winning collection, where he used piña silk, piña callado, dupioni silk, and Thai silk:
THE FUTURE OF FILIPINIANA
“While innovation is essential, I believe it’s equally important to return to our roots. No matter how far we progress, we must preserve and respect where we came from. By doing so, we ensure that future generations can also experience and appreciate the rich heritage that defines us.
“The three-piece collection--Terno, Balintawak, Kimona--is a visual and sartorial ode to the works of Hernando Ruiz Ocampo, the National Artist for Visual Arts celebrated for his bold abstract paintings. The collection translates Ocampo’s biomorphic drawings, radiant color palettes and evocative landscapes into wearable art. Each garment pays homage to a specific masterpiece, intertwining Filipino heritage with contemporary abstraction.
“I love researching! I draw inspiration from the most unexpected of things. My design process is grounded with humor and curiosity. I am committed to evolving while staying true to my style. I love the creative freedom designing gives me
“I am a designer who thinks outside of the box. I don’t conform to what is new.i always think the my design aesthetics are always classic, clean, yet effortlessly feminine. My design principle is the garments that i’m producing are somehow walking works of art.”
“Winning the Joe Salazar’ Award for me is such a blessing. I’ve manifested this award. Thank goodness i received it. As a Filipino designer intimate with my heritage and proud of my roots. I love to help men and women express their individuality through fashion.
BRYAN PERALTA
Pura Escurdia Award (Silver Medalist)
A product of The Fashion Institute of the Philippines, Peralta was recognized for his Third Best Collection & Garment Construction Awards. He interned with the now US-based renowned designer Veejay Floresca before launching his own design studio in Makati, the Bryan Peralta Designs, he’s known for creating timeless, minimalist, and modern pieces for evening and bridal wear.
Mentored by Lulu Tan Gan, Peralta shares his passion for the craft of design:
“We are standing on the shoulders of giants; the likes of Pacita Longos, Pura Escurdia, Ramon Valera, Joe Salazar most notably, but also of designers of more recent times, everyone who have created the most imaginative and exciting renditions of Terno, Balintawak, Kimona and Patadyong, from the beautifully traditional to the excitingly modern. As a winner, but also as Finalists of Ternocon, our duty is to carry the torch and build on what these imagineers have started. There are codes and components, but the language can be ours. Once we learn and respect those codes, then we can take ownership of it and get really creative!
“I’m often drawn to abstract expressionism and minimalist design so when I was doing my research and visiting museums I immediately gravitated towards the works of Jose Joya, our National Artist for Visual Arts who pioneered Abstract Expressionism in the Philippines in the early 60’s. Specifically, I was hypnotized by the seemingly random doodles of his New York Series found at the National Museum of Fine Arts.
“There is a certain quiet and austerity in them, just random zigzags forming shapes and creating shading and lighting, floating against its yellowing canvas. As an artist, Jose Joya is known for his gestural paintings and sweeping impastos, but I personally connected more towards his lesser known but equally impactful line drawings which he proliferated during his travels abroad.
RAM SILVA
Ramon Valera Award (Bronze Medalist)
Silva, an entrepreneur and designer, was in the top 15 of the 2012 Mega Young Designers Competition. In 2016, he founded RamCouture, a made-to-order store that celebrates the rich textiles of his native Iloilo City. He is also the owner and head coordinator of Sponsa Coordination, an events company. He recently launched his ready-to-wear lines for Katutubo and Bench, named “Lily” after his beloved mother.
Mentored by Lulu Tan Gan, Silva shares his thoughts on his inspiration and design process:
“For my capsule collection, I immersed myself in the evocative paintings of Fernando Amorsolo. Growing up in the province, I was shaped by the quiet yet profound beauty of a life often overlooked by the world. Amorsolo’s works—rich in nostalgia, romance, and simplicity—mirror the very essence of my humble beginnings, where every day felt like a timeless painting, brimming with emotion and meaning.
“Amorsolo’s works often celebrate Filipino culture, traditions, and identity. Pay attention to the details that emphasize the Filipino spirit, such as traditional attire, customs, and cultural motifs that populate his paintings.
“By observing and analyzing these key characteristics in Amorsolo’s artworks, you can develop a keen eye for recognizing his distinctive artistic style and gain deeper insights into the beauty and richness of his visual language.
“I was also deeply inspired by the women in his paintings, whose simplicity, beauty, and soulfulness reminded me of my grandmothers, whose influence on my own sense of fashion has been immeasurable. These women were not just figures of grace—they embodied a quiet strength, a beauty that transcended the ordinary, much like the legacy of fashion they instilled in me
“I wanted to create something that honor and preserves the Filipino identity. It’s not about extravagance, but about creating something simple but yet profound—something that respect and maintains the essence of the terno. As a designer, I believe it is my role to protect this heritage, to honor its legacy, and to celebrate the beauty of our identity through every stitch and silhouette.
“I wanted to honor the identity of my region, so I chose to work with materials that embody its rich heritage. I incorporated 95% handwoven fabrics, including pinya from Kalibo, hablon from Miagao, Iloilo, and natural fibers like raffia. Through this collection, I aim to not only showcase the intricate craftsmanship of these materials but also highlight the incredible skill and artistry of the weavers and Ilonggo artisans who bring them to life.
“Winning Ternocon is a triumph that speaks to the countless hours, the sacrifices, and the relentless pursuit of my dreams. It’s more than just a title—it’s a reflection of my soul, my devotion to Filipino fashion, and the artistry that fuels my every creation. This is the culmination of a journey that has tested me, shaped me, and ultimately led me to this defining moment.
“My design process for Ternocon began with a deep desire to honor Filipino identity. I wanted to create something that not only celebrates our culture but also preserves the timeless silhouette that defines it. From there, I chose to integrate 100% handwoven materials into my designs, aiming to highlight the beauty and craftsmanship of Philippine textiles. It was important to me to showcase the richness of our heritage in every thread, making sure the tradition of Filipino weaving is seen and appreciated.
“After winning Ternocon, I realized I need time to rest and recharge so I can come back with a clearer mind and renewed focus on my goals. Rest isn’t just important—it’s necessary for growth. Once I’m recharged, I plan to continue learning, working alongside my mentors, and collaborating with those who inspire me. My commitment to advocating for Philippine textiles will remain at the heart of my work, and I also hope to return to fashion school to deepen my knowledge and push my craft even further.”
PEACH GARDE
Pacita Longos Award (Gold Medalist)
The visionary designer behind the brand Peach.Garde started out with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. His pivot to fashion began with a stint at SM City Iloilo. He emerged champion at his university’s version of Project Runway and also winning in a research competition. In 2018, he placed first runner-up in The Iloilo New Breed Fashion Challenge, and in the same year, graduated with a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising.
“In the book Joya Drawings, I found a lot of his early abstract drawings based on coins, amulets, and artifacts he saw during his museum visits in New York. There were a lot of discs, circles and squares, and talisman shaped drawings filled with various details, irregular shapes that looked primitive. In lieu of shadows, he used zigzag lines to created depth and form. He wasn’t afraid of colors either. And just as his paintings did, the drawings often exploded out of nowhere on the paper and then swiftly disappeared. All of these dictated the overall feel and look of my collection.
“I wanted to interpret the Terno in a way that has been around for a while but, in the myriad of ways that the Terno has been created in the past, I felt like this could offer a fresh new visual to this singularly iconic Filipino garment, and that is by 3D Printing! The idea was to interpret Jose Joya’s line drawings using different techniques and one of them is embroideries. I had to teach myself how to use an embroidery machine and copy the zigzagging lines he drew to create darker shades and lighter areas in the drawings. I also used waxed cords to add dimension and texture to the fabrics.
“However, I didn’t stop there, I had to think of another technique that could recreate the lines and and push the narrative to another level and that’s when I thought of using a 3D pen! Several iterations later, the idea totally evolved from just embroidering the line drawings on fabric, to reimagining the Terno sleeves and rendering it in full 3D Printing. What I ended up with are three distinct looks that immerse themselves in all of Joya’s drawings using traditional and modern techniques.
“The task is two-fold. Firs, I knew from the very beginning that what I want to end up with are pieces that combined tradition and innovation, to offer a new proposal. Second, I wanted the clothes to really capture Joya’s drawings, to look like art. We were asked to draw inspiration from Filipino artists and their art so I would be remiss if I did not even attempt to make the clothes evoke the same feeling I felt looking at Joya’s art. These are what guided me through the whole process.
“The evolution of rendering the line drawings from flat embroideries, to raised and textured cord, to 3D printing, it was all inspired by the idea of progression, much like Joya’s quest of finding his own style from being classically trained to discovering his Abstract Expressionist side. All the components like the enaguas, the panuelo, small details like scallop finishings; we made sure to include them in the treatments but done in the language of Joya’s art. Curved scallops turned into zig-zags, foliage motifs found on Filipiniana fabrics were simplified into asterisks. It was all thoughtful and considered. The clothes all had to feel easy often shapeless, and aged like those canvasses. I wanted them to look familiar, but the sleeves would take center stage. (or maybe flanking the center because they’re technically on the sides! Haha!
“I want to start a small line of Filipiniana of thoughtfully designed Terno, Balintawak, and Kimona. There is a renewed love of everything Filipino especially with the youth and I want to be a part of that. Also, I invite every designer to try joining Ternocon next season. As Filipino creatives, there is nothing more distinguishing than pulling from your own heritage. Fortunately, we have a beautiful one! Mabuhay ang Kasuotang Pilipino!”
Peach finished a British Bespoke Tailoring course at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School in 2023. He is a part-time instructor at Iloilo Science and Technology University, Peach mentored a student who won the prestigious Champion title at the ‘Stitch-Off: National Streetwear Competition’ in 2023.
The Tapaz, Capiz creative is also one of three winners at the recent Bench Design Awards 2025. Mentored by Rhett Eala at TernoCon, Peach shares his winning work ethic:
“The Pacita Longos Award is not just for my growth as a young designer, but I also dedicate it to my mother in heaven, my family, my mentors who kept on pushing me to join the competition, and to the young ones, especially my students from the province.
“Earlier in 2024, we had a fashion show in iloilo (Iloilo New Breed Fashion Show) with Brutalism as the theme. So still have residues of ideas from that show. Then Is looked for brutalist artist in the 20th Century. I chose Lenadro Locsin because of his sharp and precise lines, which I believed I can translate to clothing and wearable art. My style is known for being minimal, clean and tailored.
“The fabrics I used were sourced locally. They are mostly polyester suiting and shirting fabrics. I also have silk and natural piña in my kimona look.
“I believe that I have a strong idea about producing a brutalist collection. But there were soooooo many suggestions and alterations from the mentors. I knew already which of my fabrics can really work with my tailoring skills, but the collection was really enhanced and improved through the help of the mentors.
“Before Ternocon, we had just started our RTW line. Now, we will push through with joining pop-ups.
“The award is not just a title now but a responsibility. As a fashion instructor also, I will do what I can to promote the Terno starting with the young ones. And hopefully in the near future I can represent the country in an international stage.”