I really can’t blame my forgetting to bring an extra pair of shoes to this trip to Baguio for my strange mood but the morning I woke up to a chilly morning and found myself walking from the place I stayed to Mines View Park, I made up my mind that I’m putting on a tourist hat for the entire duration of this trip.

I know I’m looking forward to taking photos, however, that doesn’t mean I can’t ham it up in front of it, too. So, yea, digging deep inside the pockets of my new Mango jeans for some change, I borrowed this Igorot costume and had my friend take a few fun photos with me wearing it.

For readers to fully appreciate the relevance of what I’m wearing —

Igorot (pronounced [ɪgəˈrot]) name for the people of the Cordillera region, in the Philippines island of Luzon. The Igorot form two subgroups: the larger group lives in the south, central and western areas, and is very adept at rice-terrace farming; the smaller group lives in the east and north. Igorot groups formerly practiced headhunting. (Source: Wikipedia)

I reckon the costume I’m wearing is close to the traditional Ifugao attire.

Taking a closer look at it, it can be baffling as to why they would opt to wear something like this whilst the climate where they live in is far too cold for it. But the material is heavy and I reckon can keep them warm enough (esp if they do wear something with sleeves underneath). I have to note that the men wear less, though. I guess the Igorot people have grown accustomed to the cold.

Anyway, let’s just admire the material and prints. They’re lovely.

Couldn’t resist it. Heehee! I hope the lady didn’t mind me posing the way I did wearing the costume. I didn’t really mean to be rude or anything. I was just having fun.

Photos taken by Mic Valdez for Style Manila