MINDANAO TAPESTRY: A GIFT FROM THE SOUTH

It takes a design legend like Renee Salud to come up with “Mindanao Tapestry” to highlight all the major weaves of the island and promote indigenous materials and the amazing Mindanaoan artistry.

Salud has a strong sense of pride for fabrics that are specific to the indigenous Filipino tradition, and produces intricate creations representing a fashion statement on the exotic and regional influences of indigenous groups.

Though not a native of the island, he lends his vital voice in the preservation of the weaves of Region IX (Zamboanga), Region X (Bukidnon), Region XI (Davao), Region XII (T’nalak / T’boli), Region XII (Manobo) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Maranao).

An astute designer, Salud deftly uses these fabrics for his enthralling collection: Inaul, a woven fabric of different colors and designs used as wall décor, or buntings, for special occasions like weddings by the Maguindanao tribe; T’nalak, the T’Boli cloth made from abaca fiber, and the designs are patterned after the dreams of the weavers;

Malong, a tubular dress, skirt, blanket, baby hammock, a table cloth, a bedspread, a curtain for dressing modestly behind it, a cover over the head for sunny or rainy days, a decorative fabric to hang as canopy; a status symbol denoting royalty; and Yakan, intricate weaving, which is hand-loomed fabric made from abaca and pineapple.

On March 27 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City, Salud and his Mindanao Tapestry collection will give everyone a peek into a beautiful aspect of the Philippines: the Mindanao culture. The neo-ethnic collection will enhance one’s appreciation of the totality of the Philippines’ cultural heritage.