Rains did not dampen mood of PHL Tapestry fashion show

Bringing indigenous Philippine weaves to Philly. Photos by Boyet Loverita

Bringing indigenous Philippine weaves to Philly. Photos by Boyet Loverita

By Lindy Rosales

It was a rainy spring day when the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection played host to Renee Salud’s fashion show that presented the indigenous Philippine weaves to the people of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia City Hall courtyard was damp and busy with umbrella-carrying people on their way to the subway. On full display in the courtyard was a gigantic picture of Palawan and the Banaue Rice Terraces. Some commuters stopped to admire the beautiful panoramas, others were rushing to get to their trains to avoid the downpour. Backstage, the models were getting made-up amid the hanging couture gowns and barong Tagalogs.

“I learned that in Filipino culture, when it rains, it is actually a blessing. How blessed are we,” said Tiffany Chang Lawson, executive director of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, as she opened the program.

Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, the Minister for Economic Affairs at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, was speaking when the people sitting in the center got drenched with water that overflowed from the tent. Local newscaster and emcee Christine Ileto, remarked, “Looks like the ladies in the front just got blessed with a bunch of water.”

The rain presented some challenges. One of the dancers and a photographer slipped on stage. There were some audio glitches during the fashion show such as when the music stopped. The models were all troupers. They continued to strut the stage minus the music. The crowd cheered.

Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo and Salud acknowledge the audience’s appreciation for a nearly soaked show.

Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo and Salud acknowledge the audience’s appreciation for a nearly soaked show.

Salud is known for his “neo-ethnic” fashion, designs that use ethnic fabric and intricate beadwork to create an international appeal and project a distinct “Philippine look.”

“Throughout my career, I’ve been championing the development and promotion of the Filipino fashion industry for the purpose of reaching the global market, with a strong sense of pride for fabrics that are specific to the indigenous Filipino traditions dating back to the Spanish times,” he said.

Though this tour, Salud, dubbed the ‘Fashion Ambassador to the World,’ called for the promotion and the preservation of the weaves of the regions in the Cordillera (Igorot fabric), Bicol (abaca), Visayas (piña), and Mindanao (t’nalak, inaul, yakan, and Mindanao silk).

Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo said, “It’s the start of a strong collaboration between the Philippines and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I would not say that it’s just a fashion show. It’s a total presentation, a multicultural heritage, tourism and lifestyle presentation of the Philippines.”

When asked for her comments on the new Secretary of Tourism Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, she said, “I’m sure the new secretary will consider the best projects, the projects that will project the Philippines not only in America but also globally. Hopefully she will continue this project.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney welcomed the fashion show because of the big Filipino community in his city.

“There’s been a big Filipino community here for years and years,” he said. “There are a number of Filipino families that live on my street in South Philadelphia. They came, I think, to serve in the U.S. military, the navy. They lived as my neighbors for decades.”

© The FilAm 2018

‘Not just another fashion show.’

‘Not just another fashion show.’



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