Arroyo wears message to ASEAN Science and Technology Week
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:47:00 07/07/2008
Filed Under: Science & Technology
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to the 8th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Science and Technology Week and this year’s National Science and Technology Week Monday literally wearing her message.
Donned in a tailor-made coat and dress ensemble made of Piña cloth and old rose natural-made dye from young coconut husk, the President said what she was wearing was a showcase of how the country’s indigenous product can make its mark in the fashion world.
“One sample of coconut derivative is this dye that went into this particular dress I’m wearing, this is one example of how an indigenous product like coconut can make its mark in this modern day and age,” she said in her speech.
ASEAN ministers who attended the event and Science and Technology
Secretary Estrella Alabastro also wore Barong Tagalogs and a dress, respectively, made of these indigenous materials.
"It's part of our promotion of use of natural dye. … We have been using this for a long time but this a very good opportunity to promote it in a big way," Alabastro told reporters in an interview.
The Barong Tagalog of the ministers have been personalized in such a way that there were embroideries and design that reflect the symbol of their respective countries, she said.
Arroyo's knee-length coat had Vanda, flower endemic to Mindanao, as design.
US-based designer Anthony Cruz Legarda collaborated with the
Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) to come up with the clothing.
A line agency of the Department of Science and Technology, PTRI supports the local textile and allied industries to achieve global competitiveness through utilization of indigenous resources, and development of technical competence in textile production and quality assurance.
Alabastro said they planned to promote the line of clothing especially to the European market.
"Alam mo sa Europe, very environment conscious ang mga tao [You know in Europe, people are very environment conscious], they want green products and this is certainly a green product, natural dye ang ginamit [they used natural dye] kung meron solution coming out of it na napunta sa ating [if there is solution coming out of it, this goes to our], aquifer, it's not something that you will be alarmed about, she said.
Legarda, who is based both in San Francisco and New York, said it took him two days to dye the President's dress.
Legarda is known to use indigenous materials in his clothing.
"Right now organic is very big. Piña is unique in the fashion world.
Definitely with the help of the PTRI we will be able to develop more designs," he said.
However, Legarda acknowledged that his clothes were on the high-end.
Arroyo's knee-length coat for example costs $2,000 and the dress underneath is $1,000.
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