MANILA, Philippines - Departing from tradition and common practice, President Rodrigo Duterte's second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24, dramatizes a simple and populist character. It shuns the usual pomp and pageantry. Wearing tuxedos, evening gowns, or elaborate outfits, though not prohibited, is discouraged.
The dress code, just like the previous year, is still business attire or Barong for men, and business attire or Filipiniana dress at knee length for women.
Hours before the SONA, guests trooped to the Senate Hall for the opening of the 17th Congress.
Just like in the previous years, Senator Nancy Binay's #OOTD becomes a hot topic online. This time, she wore a modern-style barong paired with black palazzo tuxedo pants.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe looked chic and classy in a white terno with black and white intricate details on the outlines of her top.
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| Photo Credit: Instagram/sengracepoe |
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| The lady senators (from left): Risa Hontiveros, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Loren Legarda and Binay. Photo Credit: Twitter/Gace Poe |
Actress Heart Evangelista flaunts her white modern Filipiniana.
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| The gorgeous Heart Evangelista all set for 17th Congress session and SONA 2017. Instagram/iamhearte |
Here are the other photos few hours before SONA 2017:
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| Senator Sonny Angara with his wife Tootsy, who wears Filipiniana Pitoy Moreno dress. Photo Credit: Instagram/tootsyangara |
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| Senator Manny Pacquiao with his wife Jinkee. Photo Credit: Instagram/jinkeepacquiao |
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| Senator Migz Zubiri and his wife Audrey. Photo Credit: Instagram/audreytanzubiri |
Last year, President Duterte defined his personal style by simply donning a Barong Tagalog with rolled-up sleeves and paired with dark-colored pants. This year, he will wear his signature-style Barong Tagalog.
Aside from lawmakers and their spouses, foreign diplomats, government officials, and other dignitaries will grace the annual event to hear the president's speech.
