TERNOCON 2027 has officially begun. The terno-making convention and contest launched its first mentoring consultation for 15 aspirants.
The event runs from August 4 to 8, 2026. It took place at the Clark Events and Conference Center in Pampanga.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Bench/Suyen Corporation organized the event. TERNOCON seeks to preserve and promote the traditional Philippine dress.
The convention has several main goals. It encourages people to use the terno as a popular fashion choice. It inspires emerging designers to build skills that match professional standards.
The program also sparks scholarly discussions about the national dress. Finally, it sustains growing public interest in Filipino fashion.
Organizers selected the 15 aspirants from 52 total applications. The finalists represent various regions across the country.
Luzon delegates came from Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Tarlac, Makati, and Taguig. Visayas participants represent Cebu, Mandaue, Roxas, Silay, and Iloilo. Mindanao designers hail from Zamboanga City, Maguindanao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Iligan, and Koronadal.
All applicants completed rigorous preparation before the selection process. They finished a week-long regional workshop and a one-day Zoom lecture. Experts and fashion designers Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, Len Cabili, and Gino Gonzales led these sessions.
Top industry experts will now guide the 15 finalists. Inno Sotto leads the mentorship team. He has served as Ternocon’s chief mentor since 2018.
Other notable mentors include fashion designers Josie Natori, Randy Ortiz, and Jojie Lloren. Gino Gonzales, the founding artistic director, and Ricardo Eric Cruz, the incumbent artistic director, complete the panel.
This fifth edition of Ternocon carries the theme “An Ode to Nature.” The event also marks the 10-year milestone of the program.
The convention celebrates a decade of impact. It highlights the growing public awareness and appreciation of the terno, especially among the youth.
Several groups partnered to present the first lock-in workshop. These include the Clark Development Corporation, the City Government of Mabalacat, and the Department of Tourism Region III. Royce Hotel and Victory Liner also support the event.
The CCP Cultural Exchange Department and the CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division lead project implementation. The Ternocon organizing team and the Bench Ad & Promo team assist them.
Organizers scheduled the second lock-in workshop from January 27 to 31, 2027. The final competition and cultural show will happen on March 14, 2027.
People can visit the CCP website for more information. Followers can also check the official social media accounts of CCP, the CCP Cultural Exchange Department, Ternocon, and Bench for the latest news and updates.
