Pontifical and Royal

The Catholic University of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
España, manila

Fourth Year, Second Semester 2018-2019

Specialization 2, Heritage Conservation II

SHORT RECTION PAPER ON

LATEST HERITAGE AND CULTURAL
NEWS IN THE PHILIPPINES

SUBMITTED BY:

PANOTES, VENICE ANGELIC A.

4AR-1

SUBMITTED TO:
ASSOC. PROF. CLARISSA L. AVENDANO
Philippine fabric soon to be showcased
in government uniforms
By Atom L. Pornel
-
January 31, 2019

Philippine indigenous fabric will soon be seen

on uniforms provided for government officials
and employees.

As the world gives more attention to Philippine

local textile highlighted by Miss Universe
2018 Catriona Gray who showcased native
fabrics infused in her wardrobe during the
pageant in Thailand, local government
initiatives are putting more of the locally-
produced textile into official uniforms for the
state officials and employees.

The country celebrates Philippine Tropical

Fabrics Month and part of the activities is a
fashion runway presentation of uniforms using
tropical and indigenous fabric.
PHOTO CREDIT: TELA Pilipinas Facebook Page

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI)
invited the country’s finest fashion designers including:

 Rajo Laurel
 JC Buendia
 Barge Ramos
 PJ Aranador
 Patrice Ramos
 Albert Andrada
Three more young top designers and uniform-makers have also joined the competition raising the
total number to 108 uniform designs and prototypes to be showcased during the Project
Presentation.

The Filipino designers are presenting their sets of uniform designs, for both male and female,
intended for use by government employees of the following offices:

1. Civil Service Commission (CSC)

2. National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
3. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
4. Department of Tourism (DOT)
5. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
6. Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

The runway competition will be held during the Textile Stakeholders Conference on January 31 at the
Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The initiative aims to promote the use of locally made textile accordance to Republic Act No. 9242 or
the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) that aims to boost the local tropical fabrics industry. It was
approved in 2004 but only strengthen in 2012 through Proclamation 313 making January each year
as Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month.

DOST-PTRI Director Celia Elumba said in an interview with PTV Bagong Pilipinas that the project has a
lot of economic potentials.

She said, “We have a very abundant supply of raw materials. Ito ang pwede nating ipagmalaki. Ang
daming humihingi sa atin ng pineapple leaves… Marami tayong materials pero ang nangyayari sa
Pilipinas, nailalabas yan nang hindi nako-convert o nata-transfrom into a higher value product.” (This
is what we can be proud of. Many ask for our pineapple leaves… We have abundant materials,
however, they are for export without being converted into a higher value product.)

“We have so many inquiries coming from abroad. And (we) have a lot of Fil-Ams and European-
Filipinos who have come to us asking for support and for supply,” Elumba added.
The twin events are dubbed TELA: Gawang Pilipinas, Galing Pilipinas and the Textile Stakeholders
Conference entitled “A TELA Story, Philippine Tropical Fabrics: Rising to the Challenge.” The TELA
Conference focuses on the production, utilization and challenges of Philippine Tropical Fabrics under
RA 9242 and will be attended by textile stakeholders and advocates from different sectors.

The DOST-PTRI together with other stakeholders and partner agencies envisions TELA Pilipinas to
gain national prominence to encourage local fabric manufacturers, and make local fabrics as top
choices for Filipino consumers.

Philippine History-Inspired National Costume of Miss Universe

Catriona Gray

PHOTO CREDIT: Society of History Facebook Page

Reaction
Fashion could me intimidating for most Filipinos. Why? In order to achieve a fashion forward,
“OOTDs”, you have to invest money. Filipino Fashion is a form of local artistry. Often showcased in the
pageantry culture where beautiful Filipinas flaunt the beauty and artistry of our famous textiles,
embroideries made by our local designers and artists.

Philippines is a thriving third world country that has abundant natural resources. These said
resources are locally manufactured as products which is known as Philippine handicrafts. Sadly, we
haven’t yet discovered a system on how to maximize and take advantage these rich resources.

Our 2019 Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, is a pioneer for the nationalistic showcase of Filipino
Fashion. She knows about the power and the role she plays as a beauty queen and as an influencer in
our society. Given the platform of pageantry, these queens have a voice where they could inspire and
teach younger generation. She is a remarkable Filipina where she has shown Filipinos and the universe,
how Philippine is an abundant and rich country with their cultural heritage, traditions and artistry.

It is refreshing to see our local government taking action in promoting the use of Filipino
textiles in the uniforms of our government employees. As public servants they are the people who are
close to the general public. Having them to wear the creative designs of our textiles would instill a
great example to most Filipinos to appreciate our local products. A remarkable effort from DOST-PTRI
together with other stakeholders and partner agencies envisions TELA Pilipinas who strives for making
local fabrics as top choices for Filipino consumers. It is a major breakthrough that encourages our local
fabric manufacturers to introduce Filipino Fashion in the cheaper price where Filipinos can express
their nationalism and pride through the simplest form of expression, our clothes.