MANILA, Philippines—Green fashion took center stage at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathering Monday, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and science ministers from the 10-nation bloc wearing outfits created from indigenous materials.

The President proudly displayed an “eco-friendly” coat-and-dress ensemble when she spoke at the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week and 50th anniversary celebration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Ms Arroyo wore an old rose-colored dress made from piña fibers, its dye derived from coconut husk, according to Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro.

The “handwoven, hand-embroidered” jacket and dress could cost a whopping $3,000, Anthony Cruz Legarda, who designed the outfits, told reporters.

In her speech, Ms Arroyo said the country was looking at science and technology to put food on the table for Filipinos, among other purposes. She commended the DOST for improving the productivity in coconut areas where there are one million farmers.

“We want virgin coconut oil to be as familiar in kitchen as olive oil,” she said. She reported on the clinical tests now being conducted on the therapeutic claims of the “very simple but very useful coconut derivatives.”

At this point, Ms Arroyo cited the “dye that went into this particular dress I am wearing.”

“These are examples on how indigenous products, like coconuts, can make its mark in this modern day and age,” Ms Arroyo said. The audience responded with an applause.

Natural dyes

Alabastro told reporters that young coconut husk was used to extract the dye for the President’s outfit. She said different types of local natural materials, such as “talahib” and “achuete,” were used to dye it and those of the other ASEAN science and technology ministers.

“It’s part of our promotion of use of natural dye … and we hope that these will not only be used in the Philippines but in ASEAN (as well),” she said in explaining the decision to have Ms Arroyo and the ASEAN leaders wear clothes made from natural materials.

More designs

While she conceded that going green was pricey, Alabastro said promoting textiles produced from organic materials would be a hit in places like Europe, where people are “environment conscious.”

“They want green product and this is certainly a green product, natural dye was used,” Alabastro said.

The US-based Legarda said that organic was “very big” now and that he was back in the country to help the Philippine Textile Research Institute, an agency under the DOST.

“With the help of the PTRI, we will be able to develop more designs,” he said.

It took Legarda six months to make the outfits for the ASEAN ministers and one month and a half for the President’s attire, which he designed with the Mindanao-grown vanda flower.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam comprise the ASEAN.