By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – From a delicate sheen of pineapple fibers and the intricate patterns of indigenous weavings, Filipino designers are showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage on the international stage, transforming traditional textiles into contemporary fashion pieces during the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits.
At the ASEAN Spousal Program on Sunday, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcomed the spouses of ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners at Likhang Filipino Theater in Pasay City, demonstrating how fashion can serve as a bridge for friendship, understanding and cultural exchange.
Featuring 23 collections representing countries and international organizations, the presentation showcased the creativity of 16 Filipino designers who interpreted national costumes and cultural traditions through Philippine textiles, indigenous fabrics and modern design techniques.
At the heart of the Philippine collection was a contemporary interpretation of the “baro’t saya” (blouse and skirt) by Filipino designer Francis Libiran.
His creation featured piña callado, a delicate textile made from pineapple fibers, enhanced by his signature art deco hand embroidery that highlights the elegance of Filipino craftsmanship.
Other designers likewise incorporated locally made and indigenous materials, including piña, inabel, binakol, Yakan weaving and t’nalak, into their creations.
Through these fabrics, the designers showcased the country’s centuries-old weaving traditions while demonstrating how indigenous craftsmanship can find new expression in contemporary fashion.
Other participating designers incorporated traditional Philippine materials into collections inspired by the cultural traditions of other countries — National Artist for Design Patis Tesoro for Brunei Darussalam, Wilson Limon for Cambodia, Kenny Ladaga for Indonesia, Kim Basilio for Laos, Rajo Laurel for Malaysia, Paul Cabral for Myanmar and Lulu Tan-Gan for Singapore.
Also featured were Patty Ang for Timor-Leste and China, Cary Santiago for Thailand, Michael Leyva for Vietnam and Canada, John Jade Montecalvo for Australia, Jearson Demavivas for India and Japan, Jojie Lloren for New Zealand and the United Nations, Paul Cabral for South Korea, Mark Bumgarner for Russia and the United States, Randy Ortiz for Brazil, and Kenny Ladaga for the International Monetary Fund.
Filipino designer Arnel Papa complemented the collections with accessories.
Beyond Philippine textiles, the showcase also drew inspiration from the distinct cultural identities of the countries represented, incorporating elements of Brunei’s woven and gold-thread textiles, Cambodia’s traditional sampot, Thailand’s artistic patterns, Vietnam’s ao dai, Japan’s traditional attire, and Brazil’s vibrant Carnival.
Adding a musical dimension to the cultural presentation, Filipino singer Martin Nievera opened the fashion show with a medley of local and international songs. (PNA)
