by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
The elegance of the first ladies of yesteryears
Today’s generation might call me a nerd. But I can’t accept the ternos worn by today’s generation. The terno is supposed to be worn on formal occasions, especially during presidential inaugurations followed by the Rigodon de Honor for the ladies of the cabinet members. It is supposed to be worn with elegance and grace.
A friend of mine, Chona Escano Bernad, gifted me a book: Ramon Valera, published by the Glice Rustia Tantoco Foundation. Who is Glecy Tantoco? She is the foundress of Rustan’s Corporation. Ramon Valera is an artist whose brush is his worn out pair of scissors; his paint are the colors of the cloth, beads, and pearls that are intricately embroidered to the gowns and ternos he has created. He died in the 60’s. In his time he created the inaugural gowns of the ladies except Eva Macapagal. After his death, the Manila society and the Kahirup Balls of the ladies in Negros took Pinoy Moreno. If my memory serves me right, ternos worn by Gemma Cruz, Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran were creations of Pitoy Moreno.
So, ladies of today please look at these first ladies. This is ELEGANCE in superlative degree. Di ba?
