Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago's SONA 2026 protest attire calls for 'presyo ibaba, sahod itaas'

Gabriela party-list Representative Sarah Elago’s attire for the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) sheds light on the struggles of women and their families amid the increasing cost of basic necessities.

In an interview with GMA News Online upon her arrival at Batasang Pambansa on Monday, Elago described her outfit as simple. She donned an ivory Filipiniana blouse by tailors from Kamuning Market, with a hand-painted skirt by visual artist and educator Michael Joselo Villanueva.

The artwork features women from all walks of life painted in shades of pink, red, and purple.

Asked about her protest outfit, Elago shared that it carries an important message despite its simplicity.

“Kahit simple—simple lang naman talaga dapat—pero meron pa ring mensahe. At ang mensahe ng kababaihan: presyo ibaba, sahod itaas," she said.

According to Gabriela on Instagram, the artwork represents Filipino women “standing together in resistance to the worsening burden of high food prices, soaring electricity and water bills, and other basic utilities, as well as regressive taxes that continue to weigh heavily on ordinary families.”

“It also highlights the continuing campaign to defend public markets from corporate takeovers, affirming that public markets are vital sources of local foods, affordable goods, livelihoods, hubs for agriculture, and community life for millions of Filipinos,” Gabriela said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is set to give his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at 4 p.m.

Check out GMA News' live updates here, and watch GMA News' livestream of the SONA here.

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—CDC, GMA News