That’s Rico Mossesgeld wearing a classic Barong Tagalog, tailored specifically for the occasion.

I’ve been noticing how Filipinos digress from wearing the classic Philippine formal such as the Barong and would often choose to wear the coat and tie that the West has introduced to our society. Not that it’s all bad.

I just think that Filipinos have it made that we actually have something that we can truly call our own in terms of Philippine fashion. Women find it hard to dress themselves with Baro’t saya without being ridiculed. It has to go with the occasion me thinks. Whereas for the men, it has become a norm.

Type of Cloth Used in a Barong

“Most barongs are made of piña cloth or jusi fabric. Piña cloth is made from fiber from pineapple leaves. Jusi fabric was once made from abaca or banana silk, but since the 1960’s, it has been replaced by imported silk organza. Jusi is mechanically woven and stronger than the piña cloth, which is hand loomed and more delicate.” — Wikipedia

What’s great about it is you can easily have one made for less than Php 2,400.00 (around US$ 50 - 52). RTWs range from Php 3,000-5,000 (around US$ 63 - 106)— depends on where you look, the style and the cloth used.

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