Balik Saya: Baro’t Saya Design Competition Awarding
The Filipino National Costume is the barong for the men and the baro’t saya for the women that many designers have constantly strived to modernize and immortalize. The terno, another traditional formal garment for women, has become more popular than the baro’t saya. Looking to change this, a competition for emerging artists, designers, and creatives who are driven by both heritage and creative ideas was organized by the Intramuros Administration (IA) and Manila 5th District Representative Cristal Bagatsing: The Balik Saya project.
Model wearing the winning Balik Saya entry
Headlined by a design competition, the project looked to encourage aspiring fashion designers to create contemporary designs for the baro’t saya or terno using local materials. “Balik Saya was initially only intended for the youth,” said Rep. Bagatsing, “but there were a lot of queries so we widened the scope to everyone residing in Manila’s 5th district.” The creations were judged based on design, workmanship, wearability, and originality. Additionally, the finished design should consist of at least 25% indigenous fabrics like piña, jusi, and inabel, among others.
Finalists presented their contemporary pieces at the newly opened National Museum of Natural History last Monday, May 28. Judged by designers Criselda Lontok of Rustan’s, Inno Sotto, Jo-Ann Bitagcol, Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz, 4th District of Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Lulu Tan Gan, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, and Tobias Guggenheimer, Dean of SoFA Design Institute.
Five designers brought home cash prizes of up to Php 100,000, an apprenticeship in Rustan’s accommodation at The Bayleaf in Intramuros, and a workshop from the SoFA Design Institute. Special awards include the Rustan’s Iconic Award, the SoFA Choice Award, and the F.A.B. Award from the Fashion+Arts+Business Creatives, who will also grant the winner a scholarship.
From left: Balik Saya judges Jo-ann Bitagcol, Rajo Laurel, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Lulu Tan Gan, Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, Winner Mariah Marella Parayray, model wearing the winning entry, Hon. Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Randy Ortiz
The Balik Saya project has also helped Kabaka Clinic, the free health center of Manila’s 5th District, which was featured in a video interview of patients and the volunteers that have helped them. Another video was played showing how the finalists came up with their final designs, the seminars they went through with mentor and fashion designer Jojie Lloren, as well as a workshop from SoFA before the final catwalk seen at the steps of the recently-opened National Museum of Natural History.
Balik Saya Design Competition Grand Winner, Mariah Marella Parayray with her model and creation
Out of the 15 finalists, the winners of the night were Alexandra Margauz Gustillo (5th place), Sandra Lou Galang (4th place), both from St. Scholastica’s College (SSC), Somera Rana (3rd place) from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and Alaine Isabelle Leones (2nd place) from SSC. A simple, minimalist, and classy baro’t saya by Mariah Marella Parayray from SSC took home the grand prize.
F.A.B. Awardee Christian Bulasag with his model and terno creation
Special awards recipients were Christian Bulasag from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for the F.A.B. Award, Vianca Lorraine Castro from SSC for the SoFA Choice Award, and Rana Vashti Sacramento from SSC for the Rustan’s Iconic Award.
Embracing and cultivating our cultural heritage is an essential part of protecting and preserving our sense of identity. Same is true with the baro’t saya – as long as more designers continue to make them, its tradition and history live on. The Balik Saya Design Competition is just one of the ways that the government include the citizens in their efforts to promote the Filipino culture.
Written by Heloise Diamante
