The First Ladies -- and their dresses
MANILA, Philippines - From Hilaria Aguinaldo to Luisa Ejercito, the country's First Ladies played a huge role in the evolution of the Filipino dress.
Primarily composed of a baro (blouse), saya (long skirt) and panuelo (a cloth placed over the shoulders and back, just like a shawl) of the same pattern, the terno (Spanish term for "matching") has now become the attire for formal events and state occasions.
Back then, it was only considered as daily wear.
"The terno has certainly evolved through the years. Before, the terno was just everyday attire. With these First Ladies, we get to see representations of the Filipino dress," said curator Yael Buencamino.
The country's First Ladies turned to the best designers of their day to come up with ternos that both impress guests and inspire the masses. Among these designers are National Artists Ramon Valera and Pitoy Moreno.
Some of these artful creations are currently displayed at the "Many Splendored Ladies" exhibit at Almacenes Reales in Fort Santiago.
The exhibit, to be held until May 14, is part of the annual Filipino Heritage Festival (FHF).
"We wanted to obtain their gowns to represent these hostesses of the administration, and to provide a greater understanding of these women. But I must say, it was quite difficult to obtain these clothes," shared Ana Maria Harper, director of the FHF.
Below are some of the gowns that these women used back when their husbands were at the seat of power:
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| Hilaria del Rosario-Aguinaldo (First Lady 1898-1901), Paciencia Hidalgo Laurel (First Lady 1943-1945) and Victoria Syquia Quirino (First Lady 1948-1953). Photos courtesy of the organizers of the Filipino Heritage Festival. |
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| Aurora Aragon-Quezon (First Lady 1935-1944). (Left) A photo of the Quezon couple. (Right) Green 3-piece terno with white applique. |
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| Esperanza Limjap Osmena (First Lady 1944-1946) (Left) A photo of Osmena. (Right) Blue terno with beading on bodice sleeves by Weneching. |
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| Trinidad de Leon-Roxas (First Lady 1946-1948) (Left) A photo of Roxas. (Right) Off-white terno with aqua and yellow beading by Ramon Valera. |
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| Luz Banzon-Magsaysay (First Lady 1953-1957) (Left) A photo of Magsaysay. (Right) Creme terno in chiffon with burgundy-printed front panel by Ramon Valera. |
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| Leonila Dimataga-Garcia (First Lady 1957-1961). (Left) A photo of Garcia. (Right) Beige brocade terno with large ribbon and applique by Rose Vale. |
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| Evangelina Macaraeg-Macapagal (First Lady 1961-1965). (Left) A photo of Macapagal. (Right) Creme terno with purple lace applique on bodice by Aureo Alonzo. |
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| Imelda Romualdez-Marcos (First Lady 1965-1986). (Left) A photo of Marcos. (Right) Blue peacock terno. |
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| Amelita Martinez-Ramos (First Lady 1992-1998). (Left) A photo of Ramos. (Right) One of Ramos' gowns as first lady. |
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| Luisa Pimentel-Ejercito Estrada (First Lady 1998-2001). (Left) A photo of Estrada. (Right) Black terno with fuschia underskirt by Joe Salazar. |
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For comments and suggestions, e-mail the author at karen_flores@abs-cbn.com.
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LAST CALL FOR MAY 10TH ELECTION
For whatever it’s worth, consider this a final appeal before you go to the polls on Monday: Do not or never ever in your mind vote for Manuel Villaroyo or Erap Estrada.
Do not vote for Manny Villaroyo and Erapoyo because they are corrupt and incompetent. They have done nothing, but misery and bad, to deserve your vote; they will most likely do corruption and will steal more —which most certainly cannot be good—if he becomes president.
Do not vote for Manny Villaroyo and Erap Estrada because they are nothing but an opportunist and leeches in the society. They are heavily indebted to their relatives,cronies, political advisers like Gloria Arroyo and the gang, command-vote buying and financial backers, all of whom will most likely call the parasites and leeches of politics.
Make the important decisions of who we want to rule our beloved country - VOTE for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas tandem) you will be seeing the change if these two will become the leader of our country.
Do not vote for Manny Villaroyo because of the continuing injustice; C5 scandal and the land grabbing from the poor citizen. As a Senator, Manny Villaroyo together with his cronies President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the “Hello Garci” scandal because they needed Mrs. Arroyo’s help to get the Villaroyo's family off the hook in the C5 scandal and land grabbing crimes he and his empire have committed.
When it became clear that the family could not wiggle out of the injustice and the oppressed poor farmers? This poor farmers would be forced instead to give up the lands as their only way of living, It's time to take Manny Villaroyo to court and may he serve and long awaiting jail time for the crime he committed.
Voting for Manny Villaroyo or Erap Estrada as president will continue the farce of Land grabbing, stealing, bribery and corruption for another 4 years in office,
Do not vote for Manny Villaroyo or Erap Estrada because they are liars, opportunist and corrupt politicians in history.
Do not vote for Manny Villaroyo or Erapoyo trapo because they also lied about the security stock exchange scandal . To this day, Manny Villaroyo has not explained and was mute about the issues that he is implicated to and would not want to answer any questions regarding their involvement.
Do not vote for Villaroyo because he is a liar two-faced and traditional politician who is a great pretender as poor and he will say anything to a particular group and buy their votes to get elected as president. He keeps the progressive pro-choice advocates believing that he is for contraception (as he was in the House) and claims to be as his way of getting the votes when he is talking to the Church groups and media. BE CAREFUL OF THIS MAN.
Manny Villaroyo is also willing to dump his long-suffering partner Loren Legarda for Binayorro another pathetic infidels who has nothing but to air out dirty laundry in public just to get the sympathy of voters. But alas, Mar will win anyway
DO NOT LISTEN TO JAIHO because he was paid with huge amount of money from the Villaroyo and like Willie Revillame he is pushing for the opportunist and liar Manny Villaroyo. Let’s make sure that Manny Villaroyo and Erapoyo trapo will not win, if only because you really want to know if they can lead our country to install them in Malacañang, just like their Master Gloria Arroyo the pandak. For one thing, Erapoyo is been proven criminal and was impeach for doing so. Manny Villaroyo will follow suit when new administration kick in. Manny will be kaput and we all hope that the new administration will not pardon this criminal.
And don’t vote for Manny Villaroyo simply because you have fond memories of the scholarship award, and his throwing of money like water to people for them to believe that he is really for the poor? Not because you hate the current president, Manny Villaroyo and Erapoyo are no difference than Gloria Arroyo. They are all the same corrupt and opportunist.
Don’t vote for Manny Villaroyo and Erapoyo because they said, they will not steal again and would make our country a better place to live. Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas vow to curve corruption and will not steal because both are already rich and they are tired and sick of these anomaly and trademark of the corrupt politician in office today.
Everyone knows it is wrong to steal (but not for Manny Villaroyo and Erap Estrada because this is their hobby and way of living)—why would Noynoy be voted into office simply for promising to do what everyone should be doing? "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL" and NOYNOY AND MAR will not steal. THEIR GOAL IS TO CLEAN UP THE BAD IMAGE OF POLITICS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND I HOPE WE ARE ALL FOR IT. I KNOW I AM.....ARE YOU?
AND LASTlY, Please DON’T LISTEN to those corrupt politicians LOYALISTS who are running. THEY HAVE ONE INTENTION, to get your trust and Votes so they can continue their lifestyle of corruption and injustice.
TIME FOR A CHANGE AND LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN AND DO IT ALL TOGETHER.
LP STRAIGHT!
VOTE FOR NOYNOY AQUINO AND MAR ROXAS TANDEM FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT…
GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES…..