MANILA, Philippines – Mallgoers recently had the rare opportunity to see traditional attire from 10 ASEAN countries during the recent “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN” exhibit at The Block SM City North EDSA.
A partnership of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and SM Supermalls, “Woven Identities” showcases a plethora of weaving techniques and embroideries that symbolize ASEAN’s unique identity, tradition and heritage.
NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon Jr., Singapore Ambassador Kok Li Peng and DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs director Aian Caringal graced the opening ceremony. Also present were Indonesian Embassy Social and Cultural Section First Secretary Basriana Basul, Malaysian Embassy tourism attaché Fazdila Mansor, and Royal Thai Embassy First Secretary Sirimon Atipatya. SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon and SM City North EDSA Mall manager Cheche Samson welcomed them.
The exhibit features traditional ASEAN 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 lao from Laos; and Khmer traditional wedding attire from Cambodia. It also showcased Indonesia’s kebaya and jas betawi, Myanmar’s yinzi and tike-pon; Thailand’s traditional costumes; and Malaysia baju kurung and baju melayu.
The event also showcased a special presentation of weavers by CulturAid Inc. curator of “Woven Identities” and founder of CulturAid Inc. Charisse Aquino-Tugade presented the weavers: the Jama Mapun of Palawan; the T’boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; the Tingguians 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.
It is one of the many exciting cultural events at The Block, SM City North EDSA.