Eva Macapagal

Dr. Evangelina Macaraeg-Macapagal (born Evangelina de la Cruz Macaraeg, November 1, 1915 - May 16, 1999) was the second wife of Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, the ninth First Lady of the Philippines, and the mother of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

She is notable for combining simplicity with graceful elegance during her term as the First Lady. She founded many of the health and education centers for the poor throughout the country, such as the Elsie Gaches Village, a center for the underprivileged south of Manila and financially supported the Medical Research Foundation of the Philippines. She campaigned for quality films and TV shows. She promoted the use of the patadyong kimona and the terno among women. She transformed Malacañang social events into impeccable opportunities for displaying simplicity, elegance, punctuality and cordiality.

Mrs. Eva Macapagal was known for wearing the national dress whenever she had a chance to do so. She had a number of elegant ternos as well as maria clara for very formal occasions or state functions, but preferred to wear the patadyong kimona for its simplicity and for ease of movement. Eva favored a handful of Filipino couturiers, including Pitoy Moreno, who adhered to her style of simple but elegant lines.

Among Eva’s projects as First Lady was the promotion of a locally-made, affordable and durable textile called the “Pag-asa cloth,” with prices within the reach of the daily wage earners. Eva...
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