By: Chloe Arabella Cristobal   |   Copyedited by: Mekylla Marie Villapaña   |   Publication: Elyzza Esteban

Fashion is a word that holds a lot of meaning for many different people. It’s also one of those words that can be characterized in many unique ways. Some may describe it as a collection of the latest clothing trends you see on social media, or a personal wardrobe that you think fits your style the most. Although, at its very core, fashion is defined as a way of dressing or behaving in a particular time and place. From bold colors and loud prints to muted shades and intricate designs, one’s choice of clothing has never failed to let us catch a glimpse of the personality wearing the garments. 

Clothing serves to cover bareness, but in doing this, a person’s heritage, culture, and history may be laid bare for us to witness. The utter volume at which fashion speaks through its design is the reason why it does not only provide the runway statement pieces, it can also provide the public with important political statements that are relevant to our time.

Regardless of this notion, on July 10, 2024, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco announced that guests wearing outfits with political statements or derogatory words will be banned from attending President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22. As I heard the news, I thought back to the countless activists and politicians that wore these issues on their sleeves, literally. Over the years, multiple personalities have sported outfits related to often unaddressed political problems to the government-sanctioned event to shed light on these rudimentary issues.

In the 2022 SONA, the Kabataan Partylist stunned the attendees with a special Barong Filipino worn by Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel. The initial sketch was made by student-artist Albert Raqueño, who turned the Barong Filipino into a canvas for a mural painting that showed the need for unity and social progress. On the back, there is a phoenix that symbolizes the struggles that each generation goes through to achieve this change, yet the continuous flow of the painting emphasizes the everlasting hope and optimism of the youth. 

Similarly, in last year’s SONA, Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas graced the red carpet with a top designed with stunning rose gold embroidery and a bottom half painted with imagery portraying opposition towards the Maharlika Investment Fund. This Filipiniana was designed by art teacher and activist, Michael Joselo. On the same carpet, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro wore statement attire that pleaded for salary increases for teachers, nurses, and government workers. The skirt was painted with images of underpaid workers’ struggle as they try to navigate through their journeys despite this setback. It was also decorated with red and blue arrows pointing upwards signifying the need for salary increases. This was also designed by fellow educator, Joselo.

The last stop in our trip down memory lane is the political SONA wear of Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate. In particular, his Barong Filipino designed by Atty. Ma. Sol Taule that was painted with depictions of Filipino Fishermen declaring sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea over China. In 2019, when tension was at an all-time high because of China’s belligerent presence in Philippine waters, his attire sent a needed reminder that we needed to fight for what is ours.

These are only some of the many instances that have shown how fashion can function as a reflection of our time and a prompt of our past. Moreover, it can also serve as a hallmark that shows the progress we have made since these issues have risen. In modern times, fashion is not simply just what is popular, fashion is a reminder of what holds most relevance.