Ang MANUGTUBOK + MANUGHABOL

 Ang MANUGTUBOK + MANUGHABOL

( The embroiderer and the weaver)

honoring Iloilo’s textile artisans

in the spirit of MUPh theme on the use of local textiles 

A “Manugtubok” is an artisan from Panay Bukidnon, the indigenous Peoples of Calinog, Iloilo who creates hand embroidery called “Panubok,” the only living ancient needlecraft heritage in the Philippines after more than 500 years.

 Through their artistry, the attire is adorned with indigenous designs mostly from nature like "bulak ka labog " (flower of vegetables), "bulak putik"  (wild flower), "pako pako" (fern), " matang punay " (eyes of a bird), "sikag sikag"  (mid-rib),  and "binalagon" (wild vine).

Their exquisite embroidery echoes the traditions, cultural beliefs,  practices and views of Calinog’s Panay Bukidnon---  where Vanessa Caro is from. 

A “manughabol” is a weaver of “habol”, a hand-woven fabric made of fibrous natural materials endemic in the Province of Iloilo like jusi from silk and banana fiber,  piña from pineapple fiber or made of polyester yarn indigenous to the towns of Oton, Miag-ao, Villa, Dingle, Badiangan, among others,  in  Iloilo.

 The quality handloom textiles  that come out from what is considered as one of the oldest surviving crafts in the Philippines once made Iloilo Province the textile capital of the Philippines. 

Featured in the attire  is patadyong, a muti -colored handloom cotton, with patterns of stripes and plaids that intersect in bright colors. It has a "teral " (wooden loom) which are also made of interlacing colors of thread. It's frays are made of abaca fibers. Vanessa demonstrates the handloom process in her presentation. 

Manugtubok +  Manughabol reflects the underrated  labor, the finest  local textile and generational craftsmanship found in various communities of Iloilo Province--- a living testament to the silent strength that comes from its people, the Ilonggos.

 In honor of  Iloilo hablon weavers and Panay Bukidnon culture bearers who worked together with fashion designer Hector “Totong” Gellangarin, along with its glam squad. 

It showcases the Filipino soul of the Panay Bukidnons’ creativity and ingenuity and the living witnesses of the Panay Bukidnons’ rich culture and traditions. It uplifts  the thriving and sustainable  local treasure and ecosystem of the promising textile economy.

The white butterfly wings form Vanessa's choreographic presentation as a Binukot, well-kept cultural bearers of the tribe. She transforms her dance while celebrating Hirinugyaw festival of Calinog which reveres the culture of Panay Bukidnon. 

NOTE: Due to cultural sensitivity, our team prefers  to call this an attire than a costume, the indigenous people corrects us with the proper usage that their wearables are not costumes but attires.  

Photo Ken Ken

Glam Squad. Dennis S. Mallada Jemuel Jr Barrera Garcia Jun-g Bayona Candelario Regine Sarabia Espinosa Benjie Emboltorio Sevilla Genevieve Nares Bob Montalban Creative Director PJ Arañador Thanks to Garangan Tribal Organization members  Sandigan Caballero Rennel Lavilla 

#MissUniversePhilippines2022 #MissUniversePhilippines2022 #IloiloProvince #VANstoppable #uniquelybeautiful Vanessa Caro