Sherwin Gatchalian, Bianca Manalo grace SONA 2024 red carpet

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and his girlfriend Bianca Manalo have arrived at President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Bianca graced the red carpet in an Ylang-Ylang-inspired Chartreuse silk terno designed by Jo Rubio, while the senator donned a Piña Callado barong from the same designer. The barong's embroidery is a homage to Filipino National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.

President Marcos is set to deliver his third SONA, scheduled at 4 p.m. Politicians and their guests from across the Philippines are set to attend the event.

Some of the current pressing issues include the rising conflict in the West Philippine Sea against global superpower China, which has prompted Manila to lodge diplomatic protests against Beijing, and officials from both countries to hold a bilateral meeting to manage the ongoing disputes in the region.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian arrives at #SONA2024 with Bianca Manalo who is wearing a green Filipiniana by Jo Rubio | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Dob7PsoVrZ

— Hermes Joy Tunac (@hermes_tunac) July 22, 2024

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News