CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, PAMPANGA - The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Bench/Suyen Corporation have officially launched the 5th edition of TernoCon with its first lock-in workshop-mentoring held from August 4 to 8, 2026, at the Clark Events and Conference Center . This year’s theme, “An Ode to Nature,” marks the program’s 10-year milestone, celebrating a decade of preserving and promoting the Philippine terno while nurturing a new generation of designers committed to craftsmanship and innovation . Fifteen emerging designers from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were selected from 52 applications to participate in this prestigious program.
The Mentors and the 10th Anniversary Celebration
The first lock-in workshop, presented in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation, the City Government of Mabalacat, and the Department of Tourism Region III, gathered the 15 aspirants for a week of intensive mentoring and concept development . Leading the mentorship team is fashion designer Inno Sotto, who has served as chief mentor since 2018 . He is joined by renowned designers Josie Natori, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, alongside TernoCon’s founding artistic director Gino Gonzales and incumbent artistic director Ricardo Eric Cruz . CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera noted that the workshop is an opportunity to connect young creatives with mentors and institutions that can nurture their growth . The edition also continues TernoCon’s legacy of reviving the Philippine dress, challenging designers to revisit a garment that holds a distinctive place in Filipino culture while finding new ways to make it relevant to contemporary audiences.
What’s Next for TernoCon 2027
Following the first workshop, the selected designers will continue refining their collections ahead of the second lock-in workshop, scheduled for January 27 to 31, 2027 . The program will culminate in the final competition and cultural show on March 14, 2027 . Organized by the CCP Cultural Exchange Department and CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division, in collaboration with the TernoCon organizing team and the Bench Ad and Promo team, the competition will showcase the designers’ final collections . For updates, the public may follow the official social media accounts of CCP and TernoCon.
