No gowns allowed at ‘downplayed’ Sona, says spox

Do not expect to see legislators and their spouses in long gowns or dresses during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address, a spokesperson said on Monday.

Lawyer Paola Alvarez, incoming Finance spokesperson, told Malacañang reporters that Duterte’s Sona on July 25 will be deliberately downplayed.

“We will downplay the event. It will not be a fashion show.  We want to center on what the President’s message is to our people, especially it’s his First State of the Nation Address,” she said during a Palace briefing.

Alvarez, who used to be spokesperson of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said guests were specifically told not to wear gowns.

In previous years, “Sona fashion” was covered by entertainment and lifestyle reporters as legislators and other guests flaunted their gowns on the red carpet inside Batasang Pambansa.

Asked what the new dress code would be, Alvarez said, “It will be business attire but you have the option of wearing Filipiniana as long as, for the ladies, it will not be more than knee length.” JE/rga