may 2020

socially distanced photo series honoring

asian pacific heritage month exploring the amalgamation of contemporary clothing with traditional Filipino garments

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conceived by jon demegillo

art direction by lo feliciani ojeda

photography by conor murdock

 

pugay /‘pugaɪ/ tagalog. noun.

definition: a salute, a tribute and or a goodbye.

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the Malong /‘maloŋ/ is a traditional Filipino cloth primarily used by tribes in the southern mainland region of Mindanao, along with its neighboring islands. it is considered a garment from “life to death” as it is traditionally used to swaddle its owner in the time of their infancy and it is used again as their burial cloth when they die.

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the Pasiking /pa,si’kIŋ/ is a basket backpack handwoven by various indigenous tribes of the northern region of Luzon in the Philippines. the Pasiking was traditionally used by native hunters as backpacks in the mountains. to this very day the Pasiking symbolizes the ingenuity and beauty of traditional Philippine basketry.

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the Tangkulo /,taŋku’lo/ is a triangular cloth traditionally worn as a headscarf by southern Mindanao warriors and tribe leaders, also called “Datus.” /‘datus/. Filipinos today have transitioned to a more contemporary use of the Tangkulo, wearing It around their necks as statement pieces. every step of making this garment is all by hand: from hand looming the fabric, to hand dyeing it to give its rich color and then lastly to embellishing it with intricate beads and pompoms. with this garment being historically worn by tribe warriors and chiefs, wearing a Tangkulo signifies strength, power and pride as it honors all of those who came before you.