Imee Marcos attends SONA 2023 in Cordillera tribal wear and henna tattoos

Senator Imee Marcos wore what she described was "tunay na Filipiniana" for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

At the red carpet, she showed off the tribal outfit personally gifted to her by the Igorot during a previous visit.

"Bilang isang Lagunawa o 'Anak ng Kalinga,' pinili kong suotin ang kasuotan ng mga taga-Cordillera ngayong #SONA2023 bilang pagpupugay sa makulay na kultura ng ating mga ka-tribu," Imee said in a statement

"Parte ng aking suot ngayong araw ay personal na binigay pa sa akin ng mga Igorot matapos ko silang dalawin at suportahan ang Gulay Revolution," she added.

Imee also had henna tattoos done on her body, with designs such as the sun and moon.

"Maging ang mga tatu sa aking katawan ay may kahulugan katulad ng napili kong araw at buwan na sumisimbolo sa aking walang sawang pagserbisyo at dedikasyon sa pagtulong sa mga tao, at ang tuko sa aking braso ay sumisimbolo ng patuloy na pagbabago ng bawat isa at pagkakaroon ng imortal na paninindigan at kahalagahan sa lipunan," she said.

Earlier, Imee wore a purple dress for the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress in the Senate. She said that she was inspired by her mother Imelda Marcos's previous outfits.

Marcos delivered his second SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday.

Classical opera singer Lara Maigue led the singing of the national anthem. —JCB, GMA Integrated News