Fashion Nation

Halloween is now the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas) for decorating. The sale of candy and costumes are also extremely common during the holiday, which is marketed to children and adults alike. According to the retail stats, the highly popular Halloween costume themes for adults are, in order: witch, pirate, vampire, cat and clown. Each year, popular costumes are dictated by various current events and pop culture icons. Halloween is a major celebration, with the Friday and Saturday nearest October 31 hosting many costume parties.

Kenny and I took on hosting duties once again for the Halloween party this year. Although wearing costumes wasn't required, most of our friends and guests came in a variety of getups to celebrate the holiday. Unfortunately, my store-bought outfit's zipper went kaput on me so I hastily put together an ensemble that epitomize a favorite "Kill Bill" character, Gogo . Needless to say, we had a blast and will do it again next year and every Halloween season for that matter.

Talking about costumes, I've been thinking a lot about a particular one that most of us might not have seen or worn for a long, long time. I'm talking about the Philippine national costumes "Barong Tagalog" for men and the "Baro't Saya" for women. It must have been when I was in high school when I last wore a baro't saya for a folkdance. That was certainly ages ago.

The Barong Tagalog has maintained a contemporary presence in the Philippines and the more formal Terno is also largely seen on social events like weddings and political functions. The baro't saya is pretty much generally worn as a dance costume or during some national-themed events.  The only time I've seen the baro't saya here in the US was at a wedding I attended in LA where a Fil-Am dance group performed during the reception. That was quite a treat and I can't help but wish there are more Filipino cultural events like that here in Chicago.

The USA is indeed an amalgam of several cultures and nationalities. A major city like Chicago is filled with various heritages, backgrounds and religions from all over the world. It has everyone that for someone of ethnicity like me, it's easier to blend in and not stick out so much in a crowd. But then again, except for my distinctly Asian features, I don't appear atypical from any jeans-and-shirt-clad person down the street.

In the cul-de-sac where we live, we have neighbors who I assume to be originally from India. Although I'm used to seeing them in their traditional clothing while going about their daily lives, it still intrigues me to see the women in their colorful saris and the men in their breezy-looking kurtas. They just seem at ease wearing these garments that it made me curious about our own traditional dress and the possibility of wearing it on a regular basis. What do you think it would be like?

Here lies the challenge especially for Filipinas living in foreign countries. Picture yourself going about your usual diurnal activities but dressed in a time-honored baro't saya. Would it be awkward, unviable, or humiliating or would it feel effortless, user-friendly and impressive? Would it give you the sense of national pride or would you feel scrutinized and peculiar?

It might not be a significant concern among women who are raised in cultures where their customary and long-established mode of sartorial is still the mainstream. This is particularly true in some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries. In contrast, except for some minority groups, the Filipinos are predominantly garbed in the Western-influenced fashion and are pretty keen in following the latest trends in style. They are also quite partial to "imported" brand names of clothing and accessories (authentic or faux, who cares?). It won't be unusual to spot a young woman in a Tommy Hilfiger tee at a mall somewhere in the Philippines.

I truly find the idea of wearing the baro't saya even just for a day very thought-provoking and worth probing further. I've always been inquisitive about my neighbors' ability to adapt to their new environment yet still maintain a strong visual representation of their culture. That takes a lot of self-assurance, nationalism and religious conviction, I'd say.

Do I have the same cojones to pull it off? I'd like to test my mettle one of these days. Maybe someday, I'll get to post a photo or video of me sashaying down the aisles of a local Target store, sporting the simple baro't saya paired with my beloved Ugg boots. In the words of the infamous style icon, Paris Hilton, "That's hot!". Snap!

If one can look like a bee, a nun or a witch on Halloween, it shouldn't be that tricky to dress like a good old-fashioned Filipina and pay tribute to Maria Clara, the symbol of the virtues and nobility of the Filipina woman. So, is there anybody out there who'd be plucky and audacious enough to do it with me? We can unofficially call it the "Baro't Saya Day". Maybe I'm being daft and delusional but if this catches on and becomes a global movement, how cool is that?

Comments

[geri]

Rose, those are great Halloween photos! I will join you on your Baro't Saya day too. What a wonderful idea!

[Sven Adnan]

be yourself !!!

[maryom]

hiiii how are u

[carlo jumbo]

hi,just dropping by.

[analiza]

I once read of an interesting fact about Pampangenas, "The Wife Lovers Club" or in Capampangan dialect is "Aguman Da Ding Malugud a Asawa. That stark reality is that many men who don't love their wives, not all of them, but some. They forget the commitment they made to their wives "till-death-do-us-part". Why some men are doing these things, they take their wives for granted, starve them emotionally they rather spend more time infront of T.V. and computer, instead off talking with their wives. So if you don't mine some husbands out there, not my hubby, how do you fall back in love with your wives? Court and look her in the eyes and say to her " I love you", try to listen to her even if you can't fix her problem, take out the trash with being asked, volunteer to babysit the kids during day offs while your wives gets her hair done or see a faves movies, on don't ever forget to kiss her goodbye in the morning before you leave for work and the most important to them is suggest them she go shopping for a new dress. It's not too late to let your wives know how much you care them... you know we are simple in many ways.

[Ahmed]

so nice

[Nenitte]

my comments it was nice picture

[Elisabeth]

My name is Elisabeth. I live in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I am English Education student in Sanata Dharma University. Nice day.. thank you in advance

[elizabeth]

hi rose, thanks, maybe next time i go to balboa park here in san diego on june 12, 2009, i should wear a filipina costume to join others who wear filipino attire too. i find it actually a very nice way of introducing our culture to the rest of the world.

[Peewee]

The last time I wore a Filipiniana costume was during the celebration of the Philippines' 100th year of Independence. Personally, I think it's a cool way for Filipinos living overseas to commemorate our country's independence. Wear Filipiniana on June 12, 2008!

[Len and Jim]

This is interesting, Rose :-) My wedding dress was Maria Clara-inspired. I left it in the Philippines though. But like MJ, I'd join you to celebrate baro't saya day! :-) - Len

[Ruthinian]

you got me there girl. you know i really wanted to wear baro't saya on my wedding day here in maine... but you know, i was in denial... i wanted to believe that i got what it takes to be a hot and sexy pinay in beaded bustier... i may not have a sexy body but what i do have is a big dream to wear a sexy embellished tube gown (so i didn't actually put on the flattened stiffy sleeves)... it's a girl thing so i know you understand. but my hubby was wearing a barong tagalog in pinya silk which i guess was so cool... well everybody thought it was cool because people at Fort Williams park where the wedding took place appreciated and were amazed by his outfit (strangers even stopped to take pictures and verbally said.. "the shirt is so beautiful... where did you get that?"). By the way, i was a teacher and there was this time in our life when we were required to go to school in filipiniana get-up so I'm used to it. I missed it in fact and yes, let's do it. when i get the chance to go to chicago, let's meet in the park... i will be the girl in apple green saya... and my hubby in his Barong Tagalog.

[maye]

i like the idea of baro't saya w/ ugg boots! You can start a fashion trend.

[Marianer Joy]

i might just take you up on that challenge, rose:) i have a "maria clara" at home ... it came with me on the plane 7 years ago, but i have never worn it here. after reading your post, though, i'm actually thinking of putting it on and wearing it to Wal-Mart to get groceries tomorrow .. the trouble is, i would probably catch pneumonia as it is very cold over here right now. so, rose, we might just have to wait til spring. it would be a shame to hide such a lovely pinoy costume under a long, thick leather coat. when it gets warmer, and if you're still up to it, i'll be ready to celebrate "baro't saya day" with you. you have my word. nice one, rose!