PAIO 06.02.2015
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts in cooperation with SM Supermalls, in its continuing commitment to the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) in implementing the commemorative activities for the ASEAN Integration 2015, will bring “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN” exhibit to various SM Malls across Luzon from June through December this year as part of the awareness campaign towards the realization of the ASEAN community in 2015.
Woven Identities will be travelling around the Metro and some parts of Luzon starting its first stall this June at the Event Centre 2 of SM City Clark in Pampanga, June 10 to 15. From there, it will be transferred to various SM Malls – SM Lucena’s Mall Atrium from June 23 to 28; SM City Baliuag from August 5 to 9; SM City Marikina from September 18 to 24; SM City Masinag from September 38 to October 4; SM Center Angono from October 5 to 11; SM City San Mateo from October 12 to 18; SM City Taytay from October 19 to 25 and SM San Lazaro from October 26 to 29.
Woven Identities showcases a plethora of weaving techniques and embroideries that symbolize ASEAN’s unique identity, tradition and heritage. Featured in the exhibit are the full traditional attire of the ten member states, complete from footwear and accessories – the Terno and the Barong Tagalog of the Philippines; the Ao Dai and Ao Gam of Vietnam; Laoatian Xout Lou; Cambodia’s sampot; Myanmar’s Yinzi and Tikepon; Suea Phraratchathan and Chong Kraben of Thailand; Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam’s variants of their Baju Kurungand Baju Melayu; the Indonesian Kebaya and Jas Betawi; and Singapore’s traditional Peranakan attire.
According to NCCA’s OIC Executive Director Adelina Suemith, the exhibit is a way of conveying a message of affirmation of the Philippines’ unity and solidarity with its fellow ASEAN member states, especially on the cusp of the ASEAN Integration 2015.
“Through this project, we hope to bring several messages to the public. First, that the Philippines is a member of the ASEAN and second, that it shares a rich textile and clothing tradition that stand parallel with its ASEAN neighbours” Suemith said.
Ms. Charisse Aquino-Tugade, head of the curatorial team, noted the identifying quality of the wrap-around skirt among the Southeast Asian community as each ASEAN member state sport its own variant and use of the piece of clothing – the malong of the Philippines, the sampot of Cambodia and the sarong of Indonesia.
The exhibit was initially installed at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, Department of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the commemorative reception of the 47th ASEAN Day Celebration in Manila last August 2014. Madame Gretchen del Rosario and NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr., along with Heads of Missions and Representatives from the Embassies of ASEAN Member States, led the opening of the exhibit.
Aside from its DFA showcase and the up-coming mall tours of the exhibit, Woven Identities was also mounted at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City, and the NCCA Gallery in Intramuros, Manila.
Tour itinerary may still change, for inquiries and future hosting request, you may send an email toncca_iao@yahoo.com or call the NCCA International Affairs Office at 527-2206 and look for Mr. Ian Felix Alquiros.
