MANILA — Ternocon 2025, the prestigious fashion event that celebrates and reinterprets the traditional Filipino terno, is set to introduce exciting new elements in its latest edition. 

During a press conference held Wednesday, October 16, the director of Ternocon 2025, Ricardo Eric Cruz, revealed the key differences that set this year apart from previous editions.

“For Ternocon 2025, what’s different is the inclusion of a third garment: the kimona. A kimona is a slip-over blouse traditionally worn by women, typically paired with an alampay and a patadyong. We still have the terno with the pañuelo, the balintawak with the tapis and alampay, but the addition of the kimona is new this year,” Cruz explained. 

This move aims to further highlight the rich and diverse sartorial heritage of the Philippines by expanding the range of garments featured in the competition.

When asked about next year’s theme, Cruz shared that Ternocon 2025 will focus on Filipino modern art from the 20th century, offering a fresh and creative approach for the participants. 

“Aside from the addition of the kimona, we required all participants to draw inspiration from 20th-century Filipino modern art. Artists like Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Ben Cabrera, among others, have left a significant impact on Filipino contemporary visual arts. Participants must use these artists as inspiration but interpret their work in their own way for their terno designs,” Cruz said.

Highlighting the talent and creativity of the designers involved, Cruz also announced the featured artists for Ternocon 2025. 

“This year, we are proud to showcase the works of esteemed artists Lulu Tan-Gan and Ezra Santos from Dubai, as well as Yssa Inumerable, who won the prestigious Pacita Longos Award in the third edition of Ternocon,” he said.

With these exciting changes, Ternocon 2025 promises to be a remarkable celebration of Filipino culture, art, and fashion. The event will not only honor the timeless elegance of the terno but also push the boundaries of tradition by incorporating modern art influences and expanding the repertoire of traditional Filipino garments.