30 April 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam organized a fashion exhibit entitled “Heritage Links” at the Chancery from April 23 to 25.
The exhibit opened on April 22 with Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports as the guest of honor.
Other guests included spouses of Heads of Mission, ladies of the diplomatic corps, officers and members of the International Women’s Club in Brunei Darussalam, and selected female representatives from the Filipino community.
“Heritage Links” is an interactive exhibition of (1) Philippine woven fabrics styled into fashionable Filipiniana wear, highlighting influences from Southeast Asia, and (2) Philippine filigree jewelry with African, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic design influences.
The exhibit served as a window on how clothing and jewelry have been bridging the Philippine’s past and the present.
“Heritage Links” is one of the activities that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam and to kick off the commemoration of the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The exhibit featured Filipiniana fashions (Philippine national clothing for women) designed by Cora de Jesus Manimbo and Philippine filigree jewelry by Oscar A. Atendido.
Ms. Manimbo is a fashion designer known for her hand-painted Filipiniana outfits for men and women.
Mr. Atendido is a jewelry designer specializing in pre-Hispanic jewelry. He is currently a design consultant with the Department of Trade and Industry in the Philippines.
Ms. Manimbo and Mr. Atendido have showcased their fashions/creations in exhibits held in Asia, the US, and Europe. Their most recent joint fashion exhibit was in Berlin in October 2013.
The fashion and jewelry exhibit was complemented by a video showing the potentials of Philippine indigenous materials and fabrics, and an audio-visual presentation and lecture on the development and evolution of filigree jewelry industry.
Both designers drew positive impressions from the more than 100 guests who graced the occasion.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Z. Ochoa noted how hand-woven fabrics and hand-crafted jewelry formed a big part of Philippine historical art. He welcomed this exhibit as an initiative to revive interest in these traditions and make these creations more responsive and attuned to present times. END