Ram Silva

3/4 I chose to fight. The design process was full of discoveries, each step more challenging than the last. I dyed my own fabrics, carefully selected my colors, and collaborated with the talented weavers from Aklan and Iloilo. It was exhausting—working day and night, countless consultations, and sleepless nights. I had to cancel events, skip parties, and miss family gatherings. The cost of this dream was more than I had anticipated, but I kept pushing forward. By December, I had presented and delivered my collection on time, despite the overwhelming pressure of balancing too much work. January came, and with it, the finals. I prayed—prayed for victory, yes, but also for peace and acceptance, for the proper timing. When I saw the medals from afar, something shifted inside me. I whispered, “Whatever you want for me, Lord, I fully accept it. Your will be done.” In that moment, I realized something profound. I had given it my all. For the first time, I had truly pushed myself to the limit. I could feel the growth, the change. This journey was more than just about winning; it was about becoming someone I had never known I could bie.

4/4 I won. I won the Ramon Valera Bronze Medal. For the first time in my life, I received a medal. For the first time in my life, I won. I just... won. As I stood there during the finals night, I was overwhelmed with emotion. My mind flashed to three incredibly important women in my life—Lola, Mommy, and Mama. These were the women who had always believed in me, who supported me in my career as a designer. I looked over at the empty chairs, and I imagined them sitting there, cheering me on, proud of everything I had accomplished. My journey as a designer was never easy. I’ve had my fair share of highs, but even more lows. Yet, despite it all, I’ve never stopped loving this career. I’ve never stopped fighting for it. And in that moment, all the struggles and sacrifices felt worth it. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped me along this Ternocon journey. To my team—Angel, mika and agi, my incredible assistants, Mananahi no, girlie,janet, John, weavers, Driver Mark, Beaders Ellen and Lex, and the helping hands of crystel, Dn, King and Phoebe—thank you for staying with me through it all. Your hard work, your patience, and your dedication ensured the success of this collection. We did this together. To my fellow participants—Geom, Bryan, Koko, Windel, Xioti, and Nina—thank you. You were more than just competitors; you were my teammates. You helped me sew, fix, and perfect my collection. You made sure I presented it the best way possible, always offering a hand when I needed it. Your support and camaraderie meant everything to me, and I’ll forever be grateful for how we came together to help each other succeed. To my family in Manila, my family in Iloilo, and my friends—my constant support system, my prayer warriors, my cheerleaders, my believers—thank you. You are the ones who pushed me to become the best version of myself. You helped me chase my dreams, even when it felt impossible. I could never have done this without you. And to Ternocon, Bench, and CCP—thank you for believing in me, for giving me this platform, and for shaping me into a better designer. But more than that, thank you for making me a better Filipino.

1/4 Ternocon has been a life-changing experience for me. In February 2024, when I heard that Ternocon was open for applications, I felt an overwhelming sense of urgency—I hadto apply. I carefully gathered all my materials and submitted my application to Bench, ready to chase my dream. But then, everything seemed to fall apart. Bench misplaced my files. All the work, the hope, suddenly felt like it was slipping through my fingers. I called, followed up, and waited anxiously as I was told they’d get in touch once they found them. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I felt like I was on the edge of losing everything. But deep down, something inside me refused to give up. I kept telling myself, This is my dream. I won’t let it slip away. And just when I thought all was lost, a week later, Bench called. They had found my files. Out of 82 designers from across the Philippines, only 12 were selected as finalists. And against all odds, I’m one of them. The Ternocon journey began with a lock-in in Baguio, and that’s when everything really hit me. I met my fellow participants, and instantly, doubt crept in. I felt out of place—worried, insecure, and questioning my abilities, especially because I didn’t feel confident with my sewing skills. The pressure was overwhelming, but I couldn’t back down now. The days were packed with intense mentoring, lectures, and endless hours of sewing. I pushed myself to the edge. I remember staying up until 4 AM, desperately trying to finish a skirt, then dragging myself out of bed at 6 AM to meet the day’s call time. My body ached, and my mind screamed for rest, but something inside me refused to quit. I told myself, This is my dream. I won’t let it break me. And instead of crumbling under the weight of exhaustion, it only made me stronger. Each challenge fueled me to keep going, to finish every task, and to deliver on time. I wasn’t just fighting for a spot—I was fighting for myself.

Here’s our MET Gala “what could’ve been,” a fitting vision that would’ve been perfect for this year’s theme. 🎨👀 We revisit our April 2025 fashion editorial “Metamorphoses,” which reimagines the moment museum-bound masterpieces break free from their frames. Designers from @ternocon2025 —@peachgarde , @ramsilva , @bryanperalta , @windellmandis , and @yssainnumerable —translate the works of 20th-century Filipino masters into living terno silhouettes, where heritage becomes movement and history turns wearable. Photography by @selagonzales assisted by Jorsette Valespin, creative direction by @paolotorio , model @sabinagonzalez , hair and makeup @drcats Shot on location at @natmuseumph . Special thanks to @ternocon2025 Originally published in our April 2025 issue. Click the link in bio to read the full story.

Something meaningful is on its way. Holding a lot of gratitude for how far this has come already. #RamSilva

Serving suit & celebration

February said “no breaks” Last slide = my favorite moment

Seeing this season’s wonderful designs brings back so much nostalgia… I can’t help but think about that unforgettable moment when I had the honor of representing the Philippines on a global stage 🇵🇭 From dream to runway, from home to the world , forever grateful to have carried my country in my heart while standing among the best in fashion.

Evolving with more intention, more meaning, and a clearer purpose. This next chapter is bigger than before. #everydayfilipiniana #rtw #katutubo

One year after standing on that podium with a bronze medal at TERNOCON 2025, I’ve realized the medal wasn’t the real win. The real victory was how it changed me, my confidence, my discipline, and my belief that I belong in rooms I once only dreamed of. Growth didn’t stop that day; it started there. @ternocon2025 @benchtm

This year stretched me, surprised me, and humbled me in the best ways. From earning a bronze at TernoCon, being trusted all year by Katutubo and Bench, recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Ilonggos, walking New York Fashion Week, and helping pioneer the comeback of Philippine Fashion Week, every opportunity felt like a reminder of why I started. And somewhere in the middle of chasing purpose, I found love, steady, kind, and grounding. Thank you 2025!

The journey from the first idea to the final print has been a marathon, filled with the beauty of perseverance and the joy of seeing dreams manifest. A dream once manifested, now beautifully realized. Proud to be part of the Ternocon 2025 book and to have worked alongside Filipino creatives who inspire and uplift our heritage. TernoCon @ternocon2025