The spirited, bustling city of Manila is anything but ordinary. A metropolis buzzing with rich culture and a broad sense of profound history isn’t lost despite the country’s big steps towards modernization over the years—linking the past and future with its charms that bring travelers an enriching experience seeing Manila in a cultural light. Apart from heritage sites and brilliant architectural spaces, the local fashion scene is something truly worthy of awe and applause.
For years, fashion designers, including international names have held the traditional ternoTernoA Filipiniana gown recognized by its raised butterfly sleeves and matching skirt, and a symbol of Philippine national dress. Popular since the 20th century, the terno has been reimagined byGo to Terno Glossary in esteem with its structural yet sophisticated butterly sleeves. These figures have consistently aimed to modernize and immortalize this Filipino national costume, also known as the Maria Clara or baro’t saya. And now in celebration of heritage month, The Department of Tourism together with the Intramuros Administration and Manila’s 5th District Representative, Cristal Bagatsing fuse heritage and creativity with the Balik Saya project—a design competition encouraging up and coming fashion designers to construct contemporary creations for the baro’t saya using local materials.
The competition is open to all designers who have a knack for contemporary design—seamstresses, out of school youth, young aspiring designers and students residing within Manila’s 5th district. “Balik Saya was initially only intended for the youth. But there were a lot of queries from seamstresses and out of school youth who were interested to join. So we widened the scope from just the youth to everyone residing in Manila’s 5th district,” says Representative Cristal Bagatsing. “We now champion an advocacy for everyone in the district to further develop their appreciation for cultural heritage”.
Manila’s 5th District Representative Cristal Bagatsing
Heading Balik Saya as a mentor is renowned fashion designer, Jojie Lloren who is no stranger to a myriad of reinterpretations of the baro’t saya and terno. “We hope to nurture in the participants creativity and natural aptitude for fashion design. This project also aims to provide a platform and opportunities for aspiring designers to showcase their work,” Lloren remarks.
Fashion designer and Project Mentor, Jojie Lloren
Designers for the Balik Saya competition will be judged based on workmanship, wearability, design, and originality with the final output consisting of at least 25% indigenous fabrics like piña, jusiJusiA sheer, lightweight fabric traditionally woven from silk or banana fiber, used in the Philippines for barong, Filipiniana gowns, and formal wear. Prized for its delicate, slightly stiff texture andGo to Jusi Glossary, and inabel, among others. They will be evaluated by fashion big names and notable figures such as Inno Sotto, National Museum Director Jeremy Barnes, Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez, Jojie Lloren, Criselda Lontok, Randy Ortiz, a representative from SoFA Design Institute, and DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. Five winning designers will be chosen and will bring home cash prizes starting up to 100,000 for the first prize, an apprenticeship in Rustan’s, an overnight stay at The Bayleaf in Intramuros, and a workshop from SoFA Design Institute. A special award will also be given to the “Most Promising Ready-To-Wear Design.”
Apart from the exciting competition, Balik Saya will hold an exhibition of ternos and baro’t saya to showcase Filipino design and craftsmanship at the Destileria Limtuaco Museum in Intramuros with display pieces from Patis Tesoro and Destileria Limtuaco. Watch out for the exhibit which will run from May 17 to 26, 2018 and the Balik Saya awarding ceremony on May 28, 2018 at the National Museum of Natural History.
Frequently Asked Questions
Balik Saya was a design competition for contemporary baro’t saya creations made with local materials, led by the Department of Tourism with the Intramuros Administration and Manila’s 5th District Representative Cristal Bagatsing. It was held in celebration of heritage month and encouraged up-and-coming fashion designers.
Balik Saya was open to designers living in Manila’s 5th district, including seamstresses, out-of-school youth, young aspiring designers and students. Representative Cristal Bagatsing said it was first intended only for the youth, but the scope widened after inquiries from seamstresses and out-of-school youth.
Balik Saya entries were judged on workmanship, wearability, design and originality, and the final output had to include at least 25% indigenous fabrics such as piña, jusi and inabel. Judges included Inno Sotto, Jeremy Barnes, Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez, Jojie Lloren, Criselda Lontok, Randy Ortiz and Wanda Tulfo-Teo.
Five Balik Saya winners were to be chosen, with cash prizes of up to 100,000 for first prize. Winners also received an apprenticeship at Rustan’s, an overnight stay at The Bayleaf in Intramuros and a SoFA Design Institute workshop, and a special award went to the Most Promising Ready-To-Wear Design.
The Balik Saya exhibition of ternos and baro’t saya ran from May 17 to 26, 2018 at the Destileria Limtuaco Museum in Intramuros, with display pieces from Patis Tesoro and Destileria Limtuaco. The awarding ceremony was held on May 28, 2018 at the National Museum of Natural History.
