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Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Filipiniana in a Modern World
By Zac Faelnar-Camara
The World is My Home
Who would have thought decades ago that abaca would become the celebrated natural fiber it is today?
Marissa Andal-Zamora, a good friend and seatmate at the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID), has been one of the driving forces behind the growth of Philippine crafts exports, particularly of abaca from Bicol. Another force majeure in the world of abaca products is a well-loved friend, top fashion designer Dita Sandico Ong.
Both Marissa and Dita have always known that there are endless possibilities in the use of the abaca fiber, or Manila hemp.
They had been weaving astoundingly beautiful creations with the fiber long before most of us could even begin to appreciate them.
After Marissa abruptly left interior design school for a necessary brain operation, something wonderful took place. New creative energy filled her while recuperating and a new life began with the launching of her Fiber Art Collage. Years of experience propelled her to new heights as she guided her weavers with intricate, whimsical, colorful, mind-twisting, gigantic, functional, decorative and downright attractive works of art.
A week ago, Marissa was wed to Dr. Gari Zamora, also from Bicol. Friends and family happily trotted to their elegant, intimate and terribly romantic ceremony at the Daraga Church, a baroque church in Legazpi, built by the Franciscans in 1773. The perfect cone of the majestic Mayon Volcano gracefully serves as a backdrop.
Guests to the wedding were requested to come in Modern Filipiniana attire.
What is “Modern Filipiniana”? To my mind, it has to do with proudly wearing Philippine indigenous fabric. We have many options today without having to appear too ethnic. For the men, it’s almost always too easy. The Barong Tagalog is timeless and forever elegant, no matter what the cut or color. As for my attire, there was one particular shop I had in mind and that was Dita Sandico Ong.
Dita helped me pick out a gown and a versatile “Mariposa” wrap that she is widely known for. The delicate fabric mixes Dita works with for her designs are stand-alone pieces, requiring no additional embellishments for such is the beauty of natural fiber.
Another good friend, multi-awarded businesswoman Marylou Neri, decided not so long ago to bring Dita’s glorious creations to Cebu. Knowing its aesthetic and practical value, Lotlot, as many know her, is the sole distributor of Dita Sandico Ong wraps and bags, all of which are one of a kind because again, such is the beauty of natural fiber.
Abaca, the multi-purpose Philippine fiber is soaring to new heights. It may well be the epitome of stylish and elegant Filipiniana attire in this modern day. It is beauty that becomes us, as it is uniquely ours.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 27, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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