Liz Uy: Duterte is approachable, relatable

How was it being stylist to the outgoing president?

It is an honor to style the president because not everybody has the chance to do so. It is also interesting because it’s so different from dressing celebrity clients. It is essential for a political figure, especially the president, to have a respectable image but still look approachable. Who is the most stylish political figure? Prince Charles. He adopts the traditional concept of suiting but has a way of wearing clothes with panache. Did you vote for Rodrigo Duterte? Yes. What do you think made him appealing to the voters? His stern image commands respect. You’ve met him; how was your meeting with him?

I actually met him twice. The first was in Davao, at a store opening. He was very pleasant and we joked around when I asked for a picture with him. The next instance was at Senator Cayetano’s house.

There was a small gathering and he was there. During that time, there were already rumors about him running as president. The moment I heard him talk about his views, I knew he was the kind of presidential candidate I would vote for. Does his couldn’t-care-less attitude about clothing add to his appeal to the masses?

Most definitely. He has this down-to-earth approach to dressing up, which is very relatable to Filipinos. There is a way to dress casually without foregoing your duties and I think he does just that. What was on your mind when you did this suggested wardrobe for President Rody?

I made this style itinerary with different scenarios in mind. I still wanted for the clothing to reflect his personal style with some subtle tweaks from what he’s actually already wearing. I had the words versatility and comfort in mind when putting together these looks — so whether he’s out in action or traveling to different provinces, there are pieces here that he could wear from work to weekend.