SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) consultant and resource person PJ Arañador called on Antiqueños to support the ‘patadyong’ (traditional wraparound garment) industry on Friday.
Speaking at the two-day Fiesta Haraya: Patadyong Design Trends Conference that concluded Friday, he said the ‘patadyong’ of Antique is distinct from that of other places, in that it is plaid or checkered and colorful. An indigenous textile of the province, he emphasized that it is a symbol of identity of Antiqueños.
The conference on ‘patadyong’ trends was aimed to boost efforts of DTI and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to sustain the local patadyong industry.
Towards this end, the Department of Science and Trade (DOST) has put up a natural dye hub in San Remigio for the handwoven fabric. On the other hand, the DTI provides training of weavers in design and marketing.
The Bagtason Loom Weaving Center in Bugasong, meanwhile, serves as a production center of handwoven fabric, providing livelihood for the locals.
“The artisans (loom weavers) should also be able to translate their effort to earn a living and to make their lives better,” Arañador said.
He said the ‘patadyong’ dates back to the pre-Hispanic time when Antique peasant women would wear it as their everyday clothing.
“Patadyong from a peasants’ fabric used to have a subdued color. Now it evolved to have a tropical festive color worn during special occasions,” he said.
He said that through time the ‘patadyong’ that came from the Hiligaynon term “tadlong” or straight as a tubular wrap-around now has contemporary designs for streetwear and bags.
He said that in India and other countries, people use their locally made textiles to support the artisans and sustain their indigenous craft. (PNA)