As Filipinos, we share a lot of similarities with our Asian neighbors, and every opportunity to learn from countries belonging to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) brings us closer to the integration that the region aspires for, which celebrates unity in diversity at the same time. At the recent Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN exhibit at The Block SM City North EDSA, mall goers had the rare opportunity to see traditional attires from 10 ASEAN countries, thanks in large part to the partnership between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, SM Supermalls and ASEAN. The exhibit showcased an array of weaving techniques and embroideries that symbolize each country’s unique identity, tradition and heritage.
NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng and DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs director Aian Caringal graced the opening, with Indonesian Embassy Social and Cultural Section First Secretary Basriana Basul, Malaysian Embassy Tourism Attache Fazdila Mansor, and Royal Thai Embassy First Secretary Sirimon Atipatya also in attendance. SM senior vice president for Marketing Millie Dizon and SM City North EDSA mall manager Cheche Samson were on hand to welcomed the guests.
hand-woven fabrics like cotton and silk with embroidery and brocade
Exhibit viewers got to see traditional attires like the terno and the barong Tagalog from the Philippines; Peranakan costumes from Singapore; the ao dai and ao gam from Vietnam; the Xout Lou from Laos; and Khmer traditional wedding attire from Cambodia. The exhibit also showcased Indonesia’s kebaya and jas betawi, Myanmar’s yinzi and tikepon; Thailand’s traditional costumes; and the Malaysian Baju Kurung and Baju Melayu.
There was also a special presentation of weavers by CulturAid, Inc. with its founder and curator of Woven Identities Charisse Aquino-Tugade doing the presention of weavers that included the Jama Mapun of Palawan, the T’boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; the Tinguians of Banaue, Ifugao; and the Bagobo Tagabawa of Bansalan, Davao del Sur who were in Metro Manila for their 12-day intensive Weave Nation 2015 study program for indigenous weavers and cultural managers. Organized by CulturAid, Inc., Weave Nation is a long-term program that aims to promote, develop, document, and sustain the weaving culture among the indigenous communities of the Philippines.
Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN was first launched last year during the 47th ASEAN Day Celebration, and is currently being toured at different SM malls as part of an awareness campaign towards the realization of the ASEAN Community.