CLARK FREEPORT – Fifteen aspiring designers from across the country have gathered in Clark for the first major phase of TERNOCON 2027, the Cultural Center of the Philippines‘ flagship program dedicated to preserving and reimagining the Philippine terno through a new generation of designers.

From August 4 to 9, the participants are taking part in the 5th TernoCon (TERNOCON) First Lock-in Workshop-Mentoring at the Clark Events and Conference Center, where they will spend a week refining concepts, receiving critiques, and learning from some of the country’s most respected names in fashion before advancing to the national competition scheduled for February 2027.

This year’s workshop carries the theme “An Ode to Nature” and is led by fashion luminaries Inno Sotto, Josie Natori, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, Gino Gonzales, and Eric Cruz.

Joining the sessions is Peach Garde, TERNOCON 2025 Gold Medalist from Tapaz, Capiz, who is also drawing insights from the mentors as he prepares the collection he will showcase at the TERNOCON 2027 finals.

For CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, the workshop is an opportunity to connect young creatives with mentors, institutions, and communities that can help nurture their growth.

“We are just as excited as you are,” she told participants and organizers during the opening activities.

“I hope we continue building partnerships like this and share what we are doing with more communities. There are many people in our communities who have the passion and talent. What we need is to continue developing them and creating opportunities for them to grow,” she said.

The CDC chief noted that Pampanga has produced creatives whose work has reached national and international audiences, citing fashion designer Mak Tumang, known for the iconic “lava gown” worn by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and Pampanga-based designer Mich Viray, who designed the gumamela-inspired national costume of Miss Supranational Philippines 2026 Katrina Llegado.

Organizers highlighted past winners who shaped the terno’s revival. Marlon Tuazon of Angeles City, the first Ternocon double gold medalist in 2018, set the bar with his designs. Peach Garde of Capiz, Pacita Longos Gold Medalist in 2025, now joins the Clark workshop to gain insights from mentors as he prepares his collection for the Ternocon 2027 finals.

“This is something we should really develop,” she said. “Pampanga has always been known for creativity and artistry. We hope to have more partnerships of this kind because they help connect talent with opportunity.”

The workshop comes at a time when the creative economy continues to gain importance in the country’s economic landscape. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, creative industries generated ₱1.94 trillion in economic output in 2024, accounting for 7.3 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and supporting 7.51 million jobs, or 15.4 percent of total employment nationwide.

Fashion, design, arts, media, cultural services, and traditional cultural expressions form part of that ecosystem. Programs such as TERNOCON contribute to the transmission of skills, knowledge, and creative practices that help sustain these industries while encouraging new voices to emerge.

The selection of Clark as the venue for the first lock-in workshop of TERNOCON’s fifth edition reflects the Freeport’s growing presence in the country’s cultural and tourism landscape. Beyond its role in investment promotion, aviation, and logistics, Clark has increasingly hosted exhibitions, heritage activities, conferences, tourism programs, and cultural events that draw participants from different parts of the Philippines. Hosting TERNOCON adds fashion and design to that mix.

Joining Atty. Devanadera in supporting the initiative are Atty. Gloria Victoria Taruc, Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs; PMGen. Lina Sarmiento (Ret.), Vice President for Security Services; Atty. Noelle Mina Meneses, Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group; Elenita Lorenzo, Manager of the Tourism Promotions Division; and Astrud Aguinaldo, Manager of the Communications Division.

TERNOCON has become one of the country’s most important programs for sustaining interest in the Philippine terno, challenging designers to revisit a garment that has long occupied a distinctive place in Filipino culture while finding new ways to make it relevant to contemporary audiences.

📸 CDC Photos