Wedding Digest Philippines Weddings. More fun In the Philippines Edition | Page 38

Special Feature

Pride and
Prestige
of

Lumban Embroidery

Titivated by
Barong Lumban with Gerry Katigbak
Text by Koko Tamura

B

arong Tagalog will never get out of style.
Not only does it represent our pride as a
Filipino but it also depicts high stature and
poise. Many Filipinos and foreigners value
the Barong Tagalog more than being a national
costume, but many respect how
delicate it is created.
it only lands to the hands
Barong Lumban will,
that lives for embroidery –
there’s no place to do
customizes the formal and
that than at Lumban.
barong together with Gerry Lumban is a town in
Laguna – popular for
Katigbak to make an its historical churches,
scenic views and even
impressionable look. its gastronomic delights,

The journey of the Barong
Tagalog starts with the
fabric – pinya, jusi or
simple linen. But no
matter which fabric is
chosen, it always boils
down to its quality. Then
the more serious part,
the famous embroidery
designs elegantly weaved
into the sensitive fabric to form
exquisite images and designs
that depicts Filipino heritage and
culture. However, the craftsmanship of
embroidery doesn’t fall to just any hands that

but what the town is famous
for is its community of gifted
embroiderers. No wonder the town
is considered the National Capital of
Embroidery – the best in the country. Though
modernization may have entered the peaceful
town, its hand-crafted embroideries still wins
the heart of many Barong Tagalog aficionados.
Embroidery in Lumban dates back earlier
than the Spanish era, when historical records
showed that early Filipinos made deals with
Chinese merchants to acquire needles. But
nevertheless the craftsmanship became more
refined by Spanish nuns. Though embroidery
then was also taught in other parts of the
country, it’s only the Lumban that thrived
through the years.
It’s no surprise though that one of the biggest
manufacturers of Barong Tagalog in the country,