From Piña to Barong: The Journey of Creating a Barong Tagalog
The Barong Tagalog is part of the formal attire of a Filipino man but it goes beyond that as it represents the history, culture, arts, and enduring spirit of the Filipinos. The Barong Tagalog is most often crafted from piña (pineapple) fabric which speaks of Filipino tradition. Each Barong Tagalog represents a long and rich history of craftsmanship and pride. Let us examine how an iconic Filipino garment is made starting from the pineapple leaf up to the final masterpiece.
Step 1: Collecting Leaves from Pineapples
The journey starts in Aklan and other regions are the pineapple farms of the Philippines. Farmers carefully collect the ripped of the Red Spanish variety and pull out each leaf to gather the piña fibers. Each leaf is collected individually and separated with care.
Step 2: Removing and Cleaning the Fibers
Filling leaves are harvested and then scraped and washed which is done under the sun until it dries. These fibers display an ivory shimmer along with its silky touch as well. This process is time consuming and requires a lot of work. Moreover, every batch must be uniform to maintain the required quality.
Step 3: Spinning and Weaving
Following the drying process, the fibers are hand knotted and spun into threads. Skilled women hand-loom weavers gently weave these threads into fabric. This results in a lightweight sheer tissue referred to as piña cloth which is well known for its lightweight disposition and strong durability. Many times, the cloth is blended with silk or cotton which makes piña-silk or piña-cotton cloths.
Step 4: Embroidery and Design
The Barong Tagalog is a masterclass in blade and garment design due to the finer details like the embroidery that is accomplished, usually by hand. Master craftsmen stitch floral, geometric, or classic Filipino patterns right on the fabric. With a sewing needle and thread, they diligently work to execute the outlined designs. It can take days to weeks for the designs to be completed due to the fineness of detail and the complexity of the design.
Step 5: Cutting and Tailoring
After the fabric has been embroidered and prepared, it is given to professional tailors. They cut the fabric so that the embroidered designs are placed accurately and perfectly on the front panel. Each Barong is fitted to size with features like aneh, side slits, and fine cuffs which are parte of the classic silhouette of the Barong.
Step 6: The Final Touch
The last step involves pressing the Barong Tagalog for a final inspection. As a final touch, Barong Tagalog’s buttons which are carved from shells or coconuts are sewn on. Once everything is finished, the Barong Tagalog is “Breathable, rich with stories, and ready to wear”.
Meticulously hand sewing every piece together and carefully harvesting Piña fibers, the Barong Tagalog is truly a work of art. Every stitch is imbued with passion and creativity, honoring Filipino culture. This makes each barong more than just clothing; with every barong there is heritage that can be worn.
