When we think of Filipiniana, what immediately comes to mind are baro’t saya, terno, and the Barong Tagalog.
For women, the most popular is a dress that resembles Maria Clara, a more coy version of the baro’t saya with long bell sleeves and a bubble-shaped and floor-length skirt.
These clothes have their origins way back during the Spanish era.
These days, the Filipiniana is undergoing modernisation in terms of its design, cut, and the material used.
I was able to see this traditional garb’s fresh new look in the recent installation of the new officers and trustees of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) 2023 held at Park Inn By Radisson Davao on June 5, 2023.
First, let me make myself clear, I’m not a fashion critique rather an admirer of personalities with high fashion sense.
Modern Filipiniana was the DATA’s chosen outfit inspiration this year. The officers, Board of Trustees, and guests displayed friendlier, classier, elegant and more relevant to the needs and lifestyle of the modern Filipino.
Indeed, it was a glamorous evening. An affair where modern meets traditional. Everyone looked gorgeous in their Filipiniana-inspired pieces. However, there were really personalities who stood out and brought the modern Filipiniana look to the next level.
Honorary Consul of Bangladesh and DATA’s past president Joji Ilagan Bian is a fashion icon, who always looks stunning even in traditional or modernized “terno.”
During the affair, she showed how to wear a “terno” like a boss: a yellow top with flared sleeves from Kaayo paired with yakan handloom “tapis” and a green satin long skirt underneath.
She completed the elegant three-piece ensemble with a green feathered clutch bag and open-toe crystal heels.
It’s no wonder that she has had an insurmountable level of influence in fashion on her daughter, Nicole Bian-Ledesma, DATA 2023 president, who shone in her all-white one-piece Filipiniana with butterfly sleeves.
Mother-daughter goal, they were the two best-dressed attendees that evening for me.
Honorary Consul of Hungary and DATA’s past president Mary Ann Montemayor wowed in her modernized version of “kimono and tapis”.
She really looked good in her piña kimono, which was made for her by the late Davao fashion czar Alfonso “Boy” Guino-o.
“The piña kimona that Tito Boy Guinoo created for me is paired with a gown. I only used the top to represent the “Filipiniana” element of the attire ensemble and paired it instead with a Pis Tapis skirt to modernize the look (and to inject a Mindanao twist),” Montemayor said.
She paired it with a “tapis” or skirt called “yakan saputangan” or “alang-alang” in Yakan dialect specially woven by a Yakan tribe.
It’s a collector’s item that Montemayor truly value since it was woven by one of her favorite weavers and renowned artisan from Zamboanga, Angelita Ilul.
The Yakan people are among the major indigenous Filipino ethnolinguistic groups in the Sulu Archipelago.
Ruth Gabutero-Velasco, a travel agency owner and DATA’s Board of Trustee for travel, tours and transportation, wore an awe-worthy terno look. A white butterfly sleeve blouse paired with a long black skirt.
Her pearl jewelries, which are popular in Davao City, completed her look.
Velasco said it is just a recycled Filipiniana attire she wore in one of the events in the city. It was designed by her favorite Davao designer, Edgar Buyan.
“The design is so comfortable, modern and very minimalist. The material is very common. It’s made of Gazar fabric which is available in the market,” she said.
Meggy Macion-Santos, communications manager for business affairs and communications of San Miguel Brewery, Inc.-Mindanao and DATA’s Board of Trustee for allied services sector, arrived in the event in a hand painted modern organza Filipiniana top and long satin floor length black skirt.
A fresh look from a woman who you will usually see in trousers and shirt.
“I wore something that was comfortable for me to wear and move around. I chose the pair because I wanted something comfortable, and something modern but has a bit of the classic/old Filipiniana look as well,” she said.
By the way, DATA has been around for 49 years.
Over the years, the organization has proven to be the strongest and biggest private-led tourism association in this side of the country and remained steadfast to its mission of promoting tourism trade and business in Davao City and amongst the different stakeholders.
“As we prepare for DATA’s 50th year next year, let us carry with us the lessons learned, the spirit of innovation, and the attitude of excellence,” Ledesma said.
A big congratulations to the other newly installed DATA officers and Board of Trustees: Lynn Barlis Navarro – vice president; Edna Villegas Cheng – secretary; Capt. Ronald Go – treasurer; Pia Partoza Montano- auditor; Cherry Al-ag – immediate past president (IPP); Flordeliza Gamo – hotel and accommodation; Magdalena Benedicto – food and beverage; Anne Margaret Pelingon – academe/education; Marilou Ampuan – emerging sector; Lizable Holganza – farm tourism; Dr. Luz Acosta – health wellness and medical tourism; Marissa Tionko – membership; and Rudolph Alama – media relations.
