ASEAN Ladies Foundation Joins Special Session on Philippine Textile Talks at Tesoros

[Seated, L-R]  Tesoros President Maria Isabel Tesoro; ALF Auditor Ms. Veronica Jimenez; Ms. Samlong Thammonalath; Ms. Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro; Dr. Norma A. Respicio; Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh of Lao PDR; ALF Chairperson Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo; ALF President Mme. Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce of Malaysia; Ms. Fadzllyani Annuar of Brunei Darussalam; Tesoros Chairperson and ALF Treasurer Alice Tesoro-Guerrero; Ms. Malu Antonio Veloso; and ALF Corporate Secretary Ms. Nora Salazar joined by ALF members from the ASEAN Embassies in Manila (Photo credit: Tesoros)

MAKATI 30 March 2023 – ASEAN Ladies Foundation, Inc. (ALF) Chairperson Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo and members of the ALF visited Tesoros Makati for a talk entitled, “Indigenous Philippine Textile Talks” with Dr. Norma A. Respicio and Ms. Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro on 15 March 2023.  The event was hosted by Tesoros Chairperson and ALF Board Member, Ms. Alice Tesoro-Guerrero. 

Ms. Tesoro-Guerrero welcomed the participants representing the different ASEAN Embassies in Manila including Mme. Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce of Malaysia - President of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation; Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh of Lao PDR; Board members from the International Bazaar Foundation and the ALF; ALF members; and DFA personnel. 

The talk was to raise awareness of the different aspects of textiles and weaving in the Philippines.  Dr. Norma A. Respicio gave an overview on the ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines and highlighted how Philippine textiles are deeply rooted in tradition. She also showed different weaving looms, designs, and materials used. She pointed out design motifs such as reptiles, constellation and more, which reflect the maritime culture of the Philippines that is archipelagic and tropical.

Known as the “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion,” Ms. Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro talked about efforts to revive the national textile piña.  She emphasized the need to adapt, “to create what we wear and bring it forward”. Her creations use a combination of embroidery, dyeing, hand painting, and beading. After her talk, the participants enjoyed a fashion show of her creations.

In her closing remarks, Mme. Manalo, expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Tesoro Guerrero for hosting the event.  Mme. Manalo thanked the resource speakers for sharing their insights on Indigenous Philippine Textile. As a token of appreciation, Mme. Manalo presented Mrs. Tesoro Guerrero and the two speakers with cook books that have been prepared by the ALF.  The books were inside a bag made from Philippine cotton and sewn by women beneficiaries of a livelihood program.

Mme. Manalo also conveyed her appreciation to outgoing ALF country coordinator, Ms. Samlong Thammanolath of Lao PDR and DFA ALF Focal Point, Ms. Maria Cecilia P. Wenceslao.

The participants were also able to explore the Tesoros store, with its slogan, “Philippines in a Store”, which has a wide selection of products representing the various aspects of Philippine culture.

Founded in 1996, the ALF is composed of women from the ten ASEAN Members States. The ALF is a non-charitable socio-cultural organization, which seeks to promote awareness and understanding of the various history and cultural heritage of ASEAN member countries. END

Mme. Manalo delivers her remarks at Tesoros Makati on 15 March 2023.

Mme. Manalo, together with ALF President Ms. Siti Sadiah  presented tokens of appreciation to Mrs. Tesoro-Guererro, Dr. Norma A. Respicio and Ms. Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro (Photo credit: Tesoros)

(Photo credit: Tesoros)