TernoCon: Palaro Reimagines Filipino Heritage Through Play and Innovation

Filipino heritage took on a renewed sense of energy and possibility as SM Supermalls, Bench, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presented TernoCon: Palaro, the latest special edition of the country’s leading platform for modern Filipiniana. Held at the FIFA-certified MOA Sky Football Pitch, the event transformed a sporting venue into a dynamic runway — signaling a deliberate shift toward freshness, movement, and creative freedom. The show was a refreshing take on a Philippine fashion staple, the terno, which has long been associated with formalwear.”  With “Palaro,” the beloved terno is reimagined and made playful for the appreciation for younger generations. 

At its core, TernoCon: Palaro explored the idea that tradition thrives when it evolves. By merging fashion with sport, performance, and communal play, the show demonstrated how Filipino heritage can be modernized through fun and innovation—remaining relevant, wearable, and exciting.

“Palaro” celebrated the joy of play, the diversity of Filipino identity, and the fluidity of creative expression. Filipiniana silhouettes were reimagined with sport-inspired details, relaxed forms, and contemporary materials, proving that heritage need not be static or solemn to be meaningful.

Six forward-thinking Filipino designers were chosen to interpret the theme, each bringing a fresh lens shaped by both tradition and the present moment. Hannah Adrias delivered a modern Filipiniana rooted in bold, 1980s-inspired silhouettes, pairing confident forms with a youthful sensibility. Glyn Alley Magtibay’s Intramurals drew from the collective energy of campus athletics, weaving native textures into designs that felt tactile, spirited, and grounded in lived experience.

With Liga, Jo Ann Bitagcol infused her work with nostalgia and ease, offering a softer, more relaxed take on heritage. Len Cabili of Filip+Inna celebrated the country’s deep-rooted basketball culture through Basketball Parabola, translating a shared national pastime into wearable expressions of movement and pride.

Renz Reyes streamlined classic Filipiniana forms, introducing sport-inflected elements that felt clean, contemporary, and accessible. Meanwhile, Carl Jan Cruz reworked archival Bench shirts and found fabrics into clever, wearable statements — an approach that underscored innovation, sustainability, and the evolving language of Filipino design.

Beyond the collections, palaro came alive through performance. A marching band, cheerleaders, and even a referee animated the runway, encouraging audience participation and reinforcing the idea of fashion as a shared cultural experience rather than a distant spectacle. The atmosphere was lively, inclusive, and unmistakably Filipino.

When woven together, these elements captured the essence of TernoCon — that Filipino fashion embodies both grace and vitality, blending heritage 

As a platform, TernoCon functions as cultural advocacy. Beyond the runway, it serves as a living cultural icon, ensuring that the terno with contemporary style while remaining proudly rooted in local identity. More importantly, the show reaffirmed TernoCon’s deeper cultural role. It continues to evolve as a modern, wearable garment rather than being confined to museums or ceremonial contexts. By encouraging innovation and spotlighting designers who approach heritage with curiosity and confidence, TernoCon actively shapes the future of Filipino fashion.