Barong variations

What do President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair, former President Jimmy Carter, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and celebrated wrestling champion Batista have in common where their wardrobe is concerned? Well, at one time or another, these Westerners have worn our Barong during one of their official visits to our culturally rich nation. The exquisite Barong, our national formal wear for men, has been around for generations and is continually undergoing innovations. It has become de rigueur attire for momentous occasions like a wedding, a gala night, an official convention and has and will always be a regular staple for politicians and society icons. It is the Philippines' answer to the tux or the suit in any black tie affair. Originally from the fabric blend of rayon and silk threads, the Jusi Barong, is adapted from our trade with China centuries ago. Not so many decades ago, the even more exquisite Piña Barong, derived from the fragile pineapple fabric came into existence and became a symbol of a man's power. Being clad in a Piña Barong signifies that a man has "arrived" and has reached the pinnacle of success. Recent innovations produced the Piña Jusi Barong, obviously, as a blend between the two frail fabrics. It is more expensive than the Jusi yet less costly than the pure Piña. Even more exciting, and more contemporary I should say, is the Barong blended from Piña and cotton fibers. A brainchild of Cebu's fashion czar Philip Rodriguez, this new development is available very soon. With the advent of this fabric blend, it is not just a sterling accomplishment but an unprecedented breakthrough.

Featured in these pages are the various Barong innovations from the exclusive cachet of Filippo, as designed by Philip Rodriguez. So what are you waiting for? Zero in on Filippo, what with the ASEAN Summit just days away.