MANILA, Philippines ? The fashion spectacle at the State of the Nation Address (Sona) Monday wasn't so much who looked best as who dressed who. From our perch, it was a fashion designers' derby.

Days before the event, Rajo Laurel, favored by celebrities, high society and politicians, was interviewed on an early-evening newscast. He said he was making 15 gowns for the Sona. Who knows how many of these were actually worn -- some clients are known to order several gowns from different designers they can choose from -- but nonetheless, 15 for one occasion is nothing short of impressive.

Another designer whose clothes make a formidable presence on the Batasan red carpet is Paul Cabral, chosen by the likes of Senator Bong Revilla's wife Lani Mercado and the President's daughter-in-law, Angela Arroyo.

In a phone chat with us Wednesday, Cabral turned coy when told he must have been the most represented designer at the Sona. He also declined to say how many clothes he had made. "It's hard to say," he said, "because some recycle. Some of those you saw may have been old dresses."

It was clear, though, whose dress got the most press exposure: Inno Sotto's magenta terno on the President. That's, of course, regardless of how much snickering it got from Facebookers-the color matched the dresses of the members of the Sona choir and dinosaur Barney. "With apologies to Barney," one wrote.