The Terno: A Glimpse of the Philippine Women's National Costume

I am always fascinated with all the Asian countries' national costumes. I find detailed designs, traditional cuts very artistic and so elaborate that each sown thread or fabric has a story to tell. From the Korean Hanbok, Thailand's Chut Thai to the Japanese Kimono, what the Philippines have is the Terno.

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The Terno, derived from Spanish meaning "match" or "matching", the parts, specifically the bodice and the skirt were sewn from the same fabric.

The Filipino designer who paved the way for the terno's popularity and revolutionized its design was Ramon Valera. According to the website of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), "The contribution of Ramon Valera, whose family hails from Abra, lies in the tradition of excellence of his works, and his commitment to his profession, performing his magical seminal innovations on the Philippine terno. Valera is said to have given the country its visual icon to the world via the terno. In the early 40s, Valera produced a single piece of clothing from a four-piece ensemble consisting of a blouse, skirt, overskirt, and long scarf. He unified the components of the baro’t saya into a single dress with exaggerated bell sleeves, cinched at the waist, grazing the ankle, and zipped up at the back. Using zipper in place of hooks was already a radical change for the country’s elite then. Dropping the panuelo–the long folded scarf hanging down the chest, thus serving as the Filipina’s gesture of modesty–from the entire ensemble became a bigger shock for the women then. Valera constructed the terno’s butterfly sleeves, giving them a solid, built-in but hidden support. To the world, the butterfly sleeves became the terno’s defining feature."

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It is made famous for being worn by the former Philippine First Lady and now congresswoman Imelda Marcos. She dons it at every event either local or international. She wears it with epitome and grace as what a Filipino lady should be.

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There are rules on which how the terno should be worn. Traditionally, it should be worn in a regal way, which is why its form conservatively outlines the body and it should not look revealing. It's dress length must reach the floor.

Now modern designers have different interpretations of the modern terno. Some with the use of non-traditional fabrics and accessories.

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But no matter the design, it will always have the Filipina, her body and essence in mind: slim, graceful, upright, and resilient.

Wearing a terno makes me feel connected to my country. I am glad I am able to wear it during official events and formal activities. I love how it hugs to my body and it's silhouette. Every country has it's own traditional fashion and it's an honor to be able to wear it proudly.

This is me wearing a terno in black satin and beaded crystals.

sources:
http://ncca.gov.ph/a* itembout-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-philippines/ramon-valera/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Clara_gown
http://thegirlontv.com/the-evolution-of-the-terno/