SONA Fashion: Making a statement with style

As president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivered her 9th State of the Nation Address, lady politicians dressed not only to impress, but to make political statements in style. Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza dared to grace the red carpet in a hand-painted Maria Clara dress made from flour sack. "I am wearing the real state of the nation," she said. Painted by visual artist and activist Boy Dominguez, Maza's gown depicted Arroyo as a floating maiden who drags a roll of paper (that appears to be the constitution) with the tag 'Con-ass' on it. Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. Riza Hontiveros appeared in a white pearl-scale gown by local fashion designer Joel Acebuche. The lawmaker embellished it with a red floral accent and a yellow ribbon for Cory. "Hindi na sana ako magbibihis kasi alam mo, SONA na naman ni GMA. Kaya lang since last SONA na niya ito, kailangang i-celebrate," Hontiveros said. Sen. Pia Cayetano wore a black and white terno by her designer of choice Mia Urquico. Made of pleated swirled chiffon cloth, the gown served as an accessory for what Cayetano considered the main attraction in her wardrobe: the pearl necklace gifted to her mother by her late father Rene Cayetano. Cayetano said her gown represented her statement: "Be black or be white. No in between." Eco-friendly even with her fashion choices, Sen. Loren Legarda simply made a stand for the environment as she "recycled" a pink dress adorned by beads made in Mindanao. Other lady politicians and first ladies chose to be fashion-proof by sticking to Filipiniana-themed gowns. Cong. Jocelyn Limkaichong Sy of the first district of Negros Oriental wore a turquoise Maria Clara gown adorned with intricate bead details and detachable butterfly sleeves. She said the gown took three weeks to make and was a gift from noted bead work artist and couturier Amir Salik Aluk. Janice Salimbangon, wife of Cebu Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, also wore a Maria Clara gown in canary yellow. She highlighted her simple dress with a diamond-studded emerald necklace from Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the traditional barong continued to be a dominant sight among the men, a nod to the local product. Pina was a crowd favorite, as Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson and Manny Pacquiao all wore the trusty barong. Senator Edgardo Angara wore a silk variation of the country's national costume. Several officials wore a yellow ribbon -- among those spotted were Senator Biazon, Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon, and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney -- in show of support for ailing former President Cory Aquino. In a similar fashion, Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tanada III demonstrated his sympathies with a yellow band wrapped around his left arm. - with a report from Jam Sisante