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The
Story Behind the Barong
The Barong Tagalog that
the Filipinos of today wear on formal and dressy occasions started out as attire
to mark inferior status. When the early people of early Philippines settled in
colonial in colonial society, they were subjected to numerous affronts to their
dignity and sensibilities by their colonial masters... When the Spaniards
colonized the Filipinos, they had to make it abundantly clear who was (in
control) through the imposition of a dress code. Men were not allowed to tuck
their shirttails in . That was the mark of his inferior status. Second, the
cloth material should be transparent so that he could not conceal any weapon
that could be used against the masters . Third, was a precaution on thievery,
pockets are not allowed on the shirt.
By the turn of the century a new middle class began to merge among the
Filipinos. These were known as the principalia. They mastered Spanish laws and
were able to obtain title to lands. They became successful in business and
agriculture and ...they were allowed to vote. They had all the trappings of
power and status, but for one undeniable fact: they still had to wear their
shirtails out, if only to remind them that they were still Indios (natives)
What the Spanish authorities did not smother was the Filipino's...determination
to psychology conquer their colonial masters through improvisation and
reinterpretation.. For example, Filipinos wear forbidden to use imported silk
and fabrics for their Barong, so they delicate material, of luminous silky rich
mixture much finer than silk ..(additionally) they hand-embroidered the front
with exquisite abandon.
The Barong Tagalog gained its power, prestige, and status when President
Quezon, the first Filipino President
declared it the National dress. The status of the lowly inferior Barong thus
became another symbol of Filipinos" resistance to colonization.
In contemporary times the Barong Tagalog is the power dress... every visitor and
foreign dignitary invited to a Malacanang Palace state function must, by
necessity, invitations specifically say come in "Barong".
The Barong thus
evolved from the mark of native inferiority, then to a peaceful symbol of
rebellion and lastly, to a token of our independence from our colonial
sovereign.
BARONG TAGALOG ingeniously used
pineapple leaves to weave the
Pinya jusi cloth.
pina
cloth with camiso
pina jusi
kimona organza
pina jusi ethnic
mono jusi assorted color
pina organza cream pina organza for 2 yrs old
pina organza for 6 yrs old
pina organza for 12 yrs old
baptismal dress organza
pina organza for kids pina jusi
$19.95
size available 2,4, 10, 12 large $49.95
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R
E F L E C T I O N S OF A S I A
Filipiniana
Sari-Sari Store Sa America
