‘MASKARONG’ TAGALOG AND ‘BOMBERONG TERNO’
Think something out of the box. Create something new. The world has a lot to offer as long as you are resourceful
He wants to be remembered as a designer with soul for the pieces he creates --- pieces that tell a story and that you can pass on to the next generation.
Iloilo, one of the four provinces occupying the southeast portion of the Visayan triangular island of Panay, was where young Jor-El Espina started designing at the age of 20.
The designer from Iloilo City is celebrating 15 years in the fashion industry. These have been distinctive years as he has dressed up Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Senator Nancy Binay, Laguna’s 3rd District Representative Sol Aragones and other personalities in public office.
“For now, I don’t have an upcoming show. Due to the pandemic, all our shows were canceled, but this is the perfect time to make a collection for my 15th year gala show in 2021,” Espina shared in an interview with Daily Tribune.
Since the Philippine fashion industry was greatly challenged during this time, Espina motivated and fashioned his artisans and weavers in creating a Filipiniana face mask paired with bomberong terno and jacket. Espina also unveiled the hooded bomber jacket from the Fashionable Protective Series Collection.
For Espina, creativity is the bedrock of fashion and, as a testimony to innovation, he introduced an embroidered maskarong Tagalog — a face mask made of barong in piña/jusi fabric layered with cloth lining and designed in a sinuous, snug fit. The mask is washable and can be disinfected with diluted bleach and detergent.
The bomberong
terno is an embroidered and brocaded fabric in different shades and patterns with fanciful terno (butterfly) sleeves.
The hooded bomber jacket meanwhile is made of high-grade water repellant taffeta fabric part of his new collection.
As long as these items are in stock, it can be shipped not just in the Philippines but also overseas, but with a higher shipping fee. His team is committed to helping local communities so part of the sales will go directly to relief efforts and frontliners. “It has been our philosophy to always give back to the community, meaning the craft that we work with our community partners who are affected by this pandemic.”
The designer confessed that he loves to dress up even at work. He revealed that he supports Filipino designers by buying their designs and wearing their creations. “Think something out of the box. Create something new. The world has a lot to offer as long as you are resourceful.” This is his advice to aspiring and young designers.
He accepted that things will never be the same as people are very cautious because this pandemic is a wakeup call to all.
“We will never cease to evolve and to better ourselves. In doing so, we are hopeful to create a new norm of helping one another in everything we do,” he said.
He ended by sharing that although he’s uncertain of what will happen next, he’s very optimistic about the bright future ahead with his family and friends.