Josip Tumapa Receives Two Awards at the TerN.O Designers Competition

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On December 18, 2025

At the Buglasan Festival 2025 in Negros Oriental, Josip Tumapa received two major awards at the TerN.O Designers Competition.
Both recognitions came from two different works presented on the same runway evening.

One design was awarded the Best Terno Award for High-Fashion.
The second received the Best Designer Award — Silver Overall Winner.

I was present during the runway presentations and followed both looks closely as they were shown one after another.

The first design appeared in darker tones and carried a clearly defined terno silhouette. The butterfly sleeves were firm and prominent, holding their shape as the model walked. The skirt was wide and layered, structured rather than flowing, with metallic elements integrated into the surface. The garment relied on construction and proportion rather than decoration, maintaining its form consistently under stage lighting.

→ [Best Terno Award for High-Fashion — view in portfolio]

Runway terno awarded Best Terno for High-Fashion at the TerN.O Designers Competition, Buglasan Festival 2025 — Award-winning terno presented on the runway at the TerN.O Designers Competition during the Buglasan Festival 2025

The second design took a different direction.
This terno was constructed from individually assembled shell elements, with each piece made and placed by hand. The lighter tone made the material and structure immediately visible. Instead of softness, the surface was defined by repetition and precision, allowing the construction itself to become the focal point of the design.

→ [Best Designer Award — Silver Overall Winner — view in portfolio]

Runway Filipiniana design awarded Silver Overall Winner at the TerN.O Designers Competition during Buglasan Festival 2025 — Filipiniana runway piece recognized with the Best Designer Award — Silver Overall Winner at the TerN.O Designers Competition, Buglasan Festival 2025.

Both works were developed specifically for the TerN.O Designers Competition and presented as part of the Buglasan Festival’s program highlighting contemporary interpretations of Filipiniana.

Among those present at the runway was Filipino couturier Cary Santiago, who viewed the works alongside other designers and attendees during the competition.

Receiving two major awards in one competition marked an important moment in Josip Tumapa’s work this year. The recognition reflected two distinct design approaches shown side by side — one focused on silhouette and structural clarity, the other on material choice and manual construction.

More of Josip Tumapa’s recent work can be explored through her official portfolio.

Runway presentation at Buglasan Festival 2025
Photos by Zasth Meryll Jo

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