#philippines traditional dress

[thekpotterhead]

Just thought I'd do a little piece of fanart of Zelda in a Filipino traditional dress called a traje de mestiza or a Maria Clara.

[safije]

Indigenous textiles from the Maguindao tribe, Philippines.

[lionheartlr]

Discovering Brunei: A Jewel of Southeast Asia

Nestled on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, Brunei is a small yet fascinating country that often goes unnoticed by many travelers. Officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam), this sultanate offers a unique blend of rich history, lush landscapes, and a distinctive cultural heritage. A Brief History of Brunei Brunei’s history dates back to…

[beebunss]

going back to fix the mistakes i see in my old art bc its so embarrassing seeing ppl give it notes AHAHAHA the og face for this drawing is so embarassing lol

Art Nouveau but make it filipino feat. my philippines oc

[the1920sinpictures]

1920 Japanese and Filipina women wearing Maria Clara dresses, traditional dress worn by women in the Philippines. From Fashion of Bygone Days, FB.

[pinoy-culture]

Hi folks! So, besides writing about pre-colonial history, culture, and beliefs in the Philippines, especially on my Instagram nowadays, I'm also a photographer based in NYC.

One of my main themes as a photographer is doing cultural heritage photo sessions! This latest one was with a friend of mine during my recent trip to Detroit. She is of Karay-a descent and the focus here was to honor her ancestors by dressing up in pre-colonial clothing in the Bisayas. She also had a top woven by the Panay Bukidnon, who speak Karay-a.

Are you interested in honoring your culture and ancestors by doing a photoshoot wearing traditional and pre-colonial attire?

➡️ Then send an inquiry on my website! I also do travel.

thepinayphotographer.mypixieset.com

I also work with others who are not of Filipino descent in helping them honor their own ancestors and heritage. So if you or anyone you know would be interested, send this to them or tag them!

You can also follow me on Instagram @ thepinayphotographer

[seashellisinmyheart]

I Never Watch Television: A 31 Minutes Novel

English Translation

Chapter One: Part One

I am splitting the chapters into two parts since the post would be too long otherwise.

Please note that I am not a professional, so I cannot guarantee that there won't be grammatical errors. Enjoy!

Chapter One - Part One

‘This is very, very, very, very, extremely strange.’ Juanin Juan Harry says to himself. 

The small, hairy television producer feels something strange as he pedals quickly on his tricycle through the streets of Titirilquen.

Something is happening, or rather... NOTHING is happening. That's what's strange!

Like every morning, Juanin is on his way to his beloved job at 31 Minutes, the most truthful news program on television. Juanin lives, and works hard for his job. He left last night, after turning off the channel's lights, and he is always the first to arrive the next day!

This morning, however, feels different. He doesn't hear the traditional honking of angry vehicles. Nor the shouts of Freddy Turbina and his fellow cyclists protesting against the angry vehicles. No Huachimingo desperately chasing fluff stirred by the morning wind. There is not even wind or fluff! No accidents, no crying babies, not even a little bird being chased by a cat…

And the most incredible thing: Nobody is talking during that fateful morning hour! Everyone moves forward, like never before, happy with their travels. Smiles are the only thing Juanin sees, amazed.

He arrives at the station. So intrigued that he leaves his tricycle at the entrance and runs up the stairs. In the 31 Minutes press room, the always full screen that shows ‘tragedies, emergencies, and disasters’... does not indicate any activity.

Zero tragedies, zero emergencies,, zero disasters. At that moment, Juanin realizes nothing newsworthy is happening today. There is simply NO NEWS! 

The stagehands, small stick-like beings who officially prepare the broadcast everyday, move energetically through the studio.

Juanin, meanwhile, is spinning around worriedly. Thinking about what to do. What worries him the most is how Tulio Trivino will react to this unprecedented situation. 

Tulio is his beloved and admired boss. The most famous news anchor in Titirilquen. And the only one. Tulio is a somewhat eccentric, ridiculous, slightly ignorant journalist and not exactly a genius. Some even say that he is an egoist who only think about himself. And it is true. But Juanin considers him his friend and will always be grateful for being given his reason for living: his job.

Minutes and hours pass without Tulio arriving, but that is no surprise to Juanin. “He must have fallen asleep again,” he thinks. Tulio sleeps at least sixteen hours a day, as instructed from his personal holistic therapist. He also has a bad habit of turning off his phone, alarm clock and doorbell in his mansion. And of course, he sleeps with earplugs over his earplugs.

As is often the case, Juanin decides to do the most practical thing. Call a helicopter to bring Tulio to the station with his bed and everything, piloted delicately so as to not wake him up until the last minute.

But that is not necessary. Suddenly, through the windows, he hears the powerful roar of his boss's latest model grey convertible. A gift from his personal friend, the Sheikh of Flufistan. The vehicle was sent to Tulio as an unbirthday present via Philippine canoe, along with half a dozen dwarf hippos. 

Tulio parks in his exclusive place by the door, marked by a large star on the floor with the words “reserved only for Tulio with absolute and eternal exclusivity until the end of time. Amen.”

Juanin runs to tell Tulio about the problem with the lack of news. 

“Tulio, Tulio! We have a little problem!”

“Now is not the time, Juanin...”

Tulio is too rushed to listen to his faithful producer. He walks down the long corridor of the channel, while being made up and dressed by his subordinates. 

“But, Tulio…”

“Enough, Juanin. First you forgot to wake me up and now you try to delay me with your blathering! I remind you that I have a newscast to host!” 

The journalist arrives at his desk fully made up and dressed in his custom made ue suit.

Just in time! The music starts, the cameras turn on and Juanin has no choice but to give the signal.

“We're on the air!”

The cameras focus on Tulio Trivino's face. His yellow button eyes shine under the powerful light of the spotlights. All the attention of every television in Tititilquen is, as every day, centered on what news will be presented today.

Tulio Trivino runs his hand through his head, combing his non-existent hair. Then he clears his throat and looks directly at the camera.

“Hello, friends, I'm Tulio Trivino and this is a new edition of 31 Minutes, the most important news program on television. Let's get to the latest news…”

Tulio waits for the information. Everyone on the set does too, but nothing happens. “Cri-cri.” Some crickets chirp. Tulio looks at Juanin, nervous.

“Where is the latest information, Juanin?” he asks, impatiently.

“That's what I wanted to tell you, Tulio.” The producer answers. “Nothing has happened in the last minute.”

“NOTHING??”

“Actually, there has been no news all day…

“No? Oh, but, what do we do, Juanin?!”

Surprisingly, the producer seems very calm. The hours of waiting for Tulio have given him the opportunity to reflect and draw happy conclusions from what is happening.

“Oh, Tulio… I was nervous like you too, but not anymore. Relax.”

“How do you expect me to relax? Don't be ridiculous!”

“But Tulio. Think about it carefully. There has been no theft, no crime, no injustice, no war. Doesn't that make you happy in the depths of your soul?”

“Of course not!”

“No???”

“But Juanin, this is a newscast. I AM A NEWSCASTER! We live off the misfortune of others! We need news, tragedies, disasters, and nonsense, you pacifist! We have been here for years reporting the greatest events in history… Who revealed the torturous route of the poop? Where did we finally manage to interview the elusive Mr. Invisible Mute? Who immortalized the mass photos of naked puppets by Jacob Fotonolowski? We informed the world about the end of the world and also its restart immediately after! We made the world aware of Denis Danis's fast paintings and made the first live coverage of a robbery, reported by my daring niece Patana! And what about the Zapandilla that ravaged the streets of the city? Or the true identity of the tooth mouse? Or the balloon that that poor innocent Carlitos Lechuga lost? Or the serious case of obesity from last year's gloves? We denounced the horrors of the Sea War between Salsacia and Conservia! Without us, nobody would know the exploits of the great superhero Calcetin con Rombos Man, nor the plague of zombies the day before yesterday, nor the crimes of the master of disguise Lulo Serrucho… So many other hot and delicious news!!!! Understand once and for all, Juanin, a newscast without news would leave us without work!”

Hearing this, Juanin begins to tremble. As we know, working is his great passion. And his only one.

“No job? Oh no!”

“Oh, yes!” Tulio replies.

“But then, what do we do???” Now Juanin is the desperate one. 

“Relax, I have a solution, Juanin. I'll tell it live on camera 1.”

Tulio adjusts his tie and looks back at the camera, doing his best influential public figure voice.

“Dear viewers, I'm very sorry, but there's no news today. So, while the producer of this show somehow solves the problem… I'll take the day off. Let the music and the final credits roll! And I'm off to the beach!”

The credits of the show appear on the screen, accompanied by it's characteristic music. Tulio throws the cards with nothing written on them into the air and runs away, happy. Finally, he will be able to test drive his new yacht with a double jet engine, a gift from his personal friend, the Prince Consort of Nadalisburgo!

“But… but… was that your solution?” Juanin shouts confused and alone. 

Juanin freezes, or so it seems. All his years as a producer have not prepared him for this moment. He, who knows perfectly well what to do if a meteorite falls on Earth, or if the bathrooms flood, or if a baby elephant invades the cafeteria. He, who knows by heart the protocol for fires, floods and incendiary floods! The only one who knows how to calm down the interviewee who gets angry because Tulio is a pest, or Tulio if he gets angry because the interviewee is a pest.

But a newscast without any news? Is it time to think about another profession? Just when poor Juanin begins to fear a long vacation, a miracle happens… 

[perfectlypanda]

When visiting the many islands that comprise the Fire Nation, it was not uncommon for their royal majesties Fire Lord Zuko and Master Katara to don the traditional dress of the host island.

Almost as soon as I had finished working on the art piece I did with Zuko and Katara in Thai inspired outfits, I knew I wanted to do something similar but with outfits inspired by the Philippines (or outfit, sorry Zuko I find women's fashion more interesting than men's).

Before jumping into the commentary, I'll stress that this design is fantasy inspired by the Philippines. Although I did research, it is not an accurate representation of Filipino national costume, nor is it meant to be.

This was more challenging in some ways than the Thai piece, because even though the Thai piece required a ton of detail work, I was creating a design much closer to its real world inspiration. In this case there wasn't a specific "look" I was trying to recreate, instead I wanted to create a design inspired by the traditional fashion of the Philippines. However, 1). pre-colonial fashions were very different from the Spanish inspired styles that arose during colonialization and that have since evolved into modern traditional Filipino attire, and 2). the Philippines is home to many different indigenous groups, each of whom have their own traditional costumes.

Originally, I wanted to exclusively look to the pre-colonial period for inspiration, but when I looked only at pre-colonial designs, I found I missed the iconic silhouettes seen in modern Filipino dresses. So I widened my research scope to see how I could combine pre-colonial with elements of modern fashion.

For pre-colonial styles, the best historical resource is the Boxer Codex. Karakoa Productions was also a helpful resource to see how pre-colonial looks were being interpreted from historical illustrations and descriptions into real world garments. I looked at modern designers from the Philippines to see how they were playing with the design of terno (which often feature the iconic butterfly sleeves I wanted to include). One design I was really inspired by was a look worn by Filipina actress Kathryn Bernardo.

Both written and illustrated accounts of the pre-colonial era in the Philippines emphasize the prevalence of golden jewelry, so Katara has a gold necklace, bracelets, hair beads, and belt. Katara's belt is inspired by two main sources. The first is an extant kandit (royal belt) woven from gold wires in the Museo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas's pre-colonial gold collection. The dangles on it are loosely inspired by the beaded belts made by the T'Boli people.

With Katara's skirt, I tried to blend the longer style of skirts seen in the Boxer Codex, with a striped pattern inspired by the numerous woven designs I found in traditional indigenous attire. The specific photo I used as inspiration was labeled as being from Kalinga, but I found similar weavings from other groups as well.

The flowers in Katara's hair are flowers found in the Philippines - sampaguita, waling-waling orchids, plumeria, hibiscious, and santan. She also wears her dual moon-flame tiara.

♥ Please do not repost. If you like it and want to show people, share a link to this page instead. Thank you!

[matchadobo]

KIDD; simbang gabi (cancelled cookbook event)

wc: 1873 summary: the incorporation of the dish bibingka and putobumbong which brings people together during simbang gabi warning/s: this is so very fluff huhuhu very wholesome, fem reader, filipino!reader x exchange student!kidd, getting together fic note: there's a song that's very fitting for the simbang gabi theme of this story, it's better if you guys take a listen on spotify while reading hehehe, it'll just make the reading experience better <3

simbang gabi is a tradition in the philippines where nine consecutive masses before christmas is attended in preparation of the holiday itself. there's also a superstitious belief that once you complete the series of masses, you can have one wish that could possibly come true.

"but... kidd." you impishly chuckled, baffled that he would ever ask it. "you don't believe in god, right?"

"don't worry about it."

so why does eustass kidd want to go with you?

you met kidd at the first year of your college and you've been friends ever since. he was an exchange student from scotland. you guys are now at the fourth year, one last semester left and he'll plan to go back to his country. atleast that's what he initially planned.

kidd ain't no catholic. if anything, he's an atheist. he never really considered the complex that is religion. not until killer mentioned something that interested him.

"the fuck did you say?"

"nine masses and a wish comes true. must be why name's always occupied around this time of year." killer read out from his phone, an article he just passed by.

kidd was left wondering what it could be that your wishing for. cuz he's got one wish himself he desperately wants to come true. as delusional as it may be, he might wanna give this one a shot. as opposed to his usual apathy towards this stuff.

so for the first time in a while, he was patient. he was patient when he waited for you out your door as you get dressed up for the mass. he was patient as he sat through the mass with all the scrutiny of its ceremonies. he was patient hearing the earful about this jesus you guys love so much.

in the philippines—when 'our father' is sung, people in intimate connections, such as family or couples, hold hands with their hands raised chest level. but with the state of your relationship, your hands were just precarious against each other. your thumb brushing by his pinky from time to time. there was one time when couples where sitting a pew before you and it was pretty fucking awkward having to not do the same as them.

because kidd isn't exactly your boyfriend, nor was he a 'manliligaw' or a suitor in philippine tradition. he never made it explicit that he was into you, because he was, so fucking embrassingly at that. why else would he put up with this?

"are you sure you're okay with this? we have like, 4 more masses to go." you mumbled to him while walking back to your house, feeling anxious if he maybe regretted all this. he always leaves his motorbike at your house because he wanted to walk home with you, even if he could very well just go straight to the church with it.

"i've gone to 5 already, no point backin' down. think i can't handle it?"

you chuckled, of course he treats it like a challenge. but you're glad, somehow he appreciates it in his own bizarre way.

"what's that? why's there a damn line?" kidd looked over the other side of the street across the church, a small line of people beside a small shack at the sidewalk.

small bands of smoke emanating from the brightly lit shack decorated with festive christmas lights. your eyes lit up and kidd felt his heart beat a little faster this time. which didn't help because you instinctively held his wrist and dragged him across the street to go at back of the line.

"i haven't had these in a while, can we go have a little detour before we go home?" you looked up at him with excited eyes and a bright smile brighter than the alternating hues of the christmas lights in his periphery. he furrowed his brows and pretend to look over the shack to see what's going on.

"just make it quick." he grumbled. but he secretly wanted more time with you so it's in favor with him. besides, it smells nice and he was curious to try it. what are you even so excited about?

what you had in your hand was a dish that will soon be reminded of kidd of your smile before the brightly lit church during this particular time in the evening. it was plated in banana leaf, four pieces of sticky, violet rice cakes shaped in thin cylinders stuck close to each other. the other dish cooked from an earthen oven, encased in a similar manner as the other and attributed a fluffy, yellow appearance.

it smelled nice and different. you invited kidd to sit by the low stone fences by the sidewalk to eat for a while.

"it's called bibingka." you pointed to the yellow dish on your lap, "and putobumbong." then to the purple dish on your lap. "it always sells out during simbang gabi, give it a shot."

kidd was a bit relcutant as he watched you pour a brown sugar packet over putobumbong, which you later told him was a muscovado. it made the dish sweeter because it's pretty bland without it.

you wrapped the banana leaf on the lower half of the putobumbong, leaving room for kidd to bite onto. you offered it to him for him to eat it himself but he instead put his hand over your grip, pulling the food closer with your hands touching as he gave it a taste. your heart hitched a little.

you anticipated his reaction, looking for any signs of distaste.

"do you like it? is it too bland? it's okay if you don-"

"i do." kidd snatched the food off your grip, realizing he just touched hands with you. "get your own if you wanna." he continued munching without sparing you a glance.

you just watched him with a silent chuckle, "leave room for bibingka, you still hadn't tasted it. i personally like this more, by the way."

"cuz of the cheese ontop, aye?" kidd asked, recognizing the burnt melted cheese sitting ontop of the fluffy pastry. "i get the feeling i'd like this purple shit more."

you chuckled, it'd always be the opposite with kidd. you'll like what he doesn't and he'll like what you don't. he's a sponty and you're a planner. you're reserved and he's flamboyant.

he ended up liking both and couldn't decide. he went to buy for more and you just waited by the fence. you watched him eat and stuff himself with it, saying it's his dinner.

"you know, i appreciate you going out of your way to do these masses. you don't have to but you still did." you grew a bit shy, fumbling on the hem of your sweater sleeves. the mellow jose mari chan songs playing from the nearby stall of cheistmass foods.

"the fuck you on about?" he spoke through a full mouth, a scowl on his face. "we still got 4 more days, too early to thank me."

he walked you home, like every other night he does. kidd's the type to walk on the outer part of the sidewalk, mainly because he says he's getting squeezed against the inner edge when he walks on the opposite side. but he really just wanna be a liiiittle protective of you.

"what did you wish for?" you muttered as you two waited for the oncoming car to pass by before crossing the street.

"think that's between the big guy up there and me, what's you gotta do with it?" a grin tugged at his lips, discerning eyes that made you blush.

"pft, since when did you talk to Him?"

kidd waited to get home to answer you. your family decided to invite him and killer for christmas, because their famileis are all the way back in scotland to celebrate with them. plus, they're all quite fond of kidd, calling him your 'manliligaw' and the like.

"you wanna know what i wished for?" you two sat down by your porch, waiting for midnight to celebrate and eat. kidd popped open a bottle of tanduay ice and handed one to you and another soon to himself.

"thought it's gonna be a secret." you chugged on the bottle, the crawling icy feeling branching down your chest. "come on, what is it?"

"i like you, name."

your grip on the bottle tightened and you almost choked on the liquor, wondering if you already got drunk with one sip. you looked at him in disbelief, waiting for some sort of explanation after the bomb he just dropped.

"what? didn't you hear me? do i have to translate it to filipino?" he chuckled a little, sipping on his beer at his nervousness.

"n-no, you idiot. w-what?!" your voice toning up a notch at the last bit.

"i wished to hold your hand starting this christmas, be with you from now on. as much of a stupid fantasy as it sounds, i'm staring to doubt going back to scotland cuz i wanna be with your sweet ass. i've had the best 4 years of my life, and it's all with you. embarrassingly." he snorted a little, hiccuping already with how much he's downing one bottle.

"'s why i tried giving this damn thing a shot, cuz maybe it'd come true." he continued, "i'll go back home to work at my papa's, he's got a mechanic shop there. he plans to hand it all to me so why not start early. i just wanna get all this out of my chest before graduation."

you were stunned, at a loss for words from his unexpected confession. you half expected it out of him but as it finally happened before you, it was almost a dream. yet you somehow couldn't say anything else, you felt like your tongue got cut.

"yeah sorry for makin' it damn awkward, i'll maybe jus-"

"hey, look up." you blurted out. he spared you a look as you finally said something and looked up afterward. "you did one of my traditions so why don't we do one of yours?"

hanging by the apex of the central entryway of your porch was a mistletoe, you chuckled thinking killer put it there himself. of course he would. kidd thought the same and fought off the grin spreading on his lips.

"go on, i'm waiting." you smiled at him, turning a little to the side to face him. you shut your eyes, waiting for him to get on with it.

but kidd wouldn't let you feel so slick after being the flustered one. kidd was quick to grab the back of your head to pull it close to his, stopping mid way where you can feel his breath so close yet the absence of his lips left you panting.

"god works fast, doesn't he?" he said one last time, licking his lips before finally crashing his lips to you. you can taste the residual muscovado on the corner of his lips.

kidd smiled through the kiss, feeling your lips quiver a little at how good he's handling you. he already had a hand behind the small of your back, pressing you closer to his frame.

"i like you too, if it's still isn't obvious."

"guess wishes do come true, brat."

OMG

i've currently started a fic on the 6th for kidd's birthday but since it's multichaptered, i still haven't finished it! i hope to finish it before i go back to college in the 20th </3 it's a fully fleshed out fic for about 10 chapters which i'm finishing before i upload all of it because i know damn well i ain't finishing that shit if i upload one by one TT

ANYWAYS i joined this cookbook event and oughta implement a filo dish and the tradition during simbang gabi but the event holder deactivated :c so i assume the event is cancelled. but i have already created this way before christmas hehehe i was just thinking if i should still post this but since it's my baby's birthday today i'd better release it <3

my fellow filo moots! pls don't hesitate to interact c: siraulo den aq teh magbonding tayo <3

also my event is still ongoing mkaaayyy, i'll also upload one request fitting for my captain's birthday hihihi here's the event masterpost link

[ura-niia]

Narinder in a Maria Clara

History explanation:

— The Maria Clara gown, a traditional dress worn by Filipina women, takes its name from the character in Rizal’s novel. The garment is also known today as the Mestiza Dress because it combines the fashion of Spanish women, introduced during the colonial period, with the baro’t saya, the national dress of the Philippines. Maria Clara herself was also a mestiza character.

Maria Clara is one of the major characters in Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not), one of the most celebrated novels by 19th century Filipino nationalist Jośe Rizal. In the novel, Maria Clara is the only daughter of Capitán Tiago, a rich Filipino landowner during the Spanish colonial occupation of the Philippines. Her beautiful appearance is emphasized several times throughout the novel, as is her kind and pleasant personality.

While the Philippines were occupied by Spain, the Maria Clara gown was worn by mestiza and upper class women as a symbol of status. But when the United States colonized the country, the dress began to be considered less as fashion and more as “traditional” clothing. Today, Filipina women often wear the Maria Clara gown for official events or as a wedding dress.

Although the Maria Clara gown originates from the historic colonization of the Philippines by Spain, it has evolved into one of the most beloved traditional pieces of apparel among Filipina women. It can be said that this tradition grew out of the respect of the people of the Philippines toward Jośe Rizal and admiration for his famous character Maria Clara.

[itzpris15634]

me when I'm 🇵🇭 and I have characters that I want to draw in 🇵🇭 outfits

Zoe's dress is a Filipiniana. Filipiniana is used as a general term to describe traditional women's wear in the Philippines. It also goes by other names, depending on it's specific style and/or its region of origin.

Pepper is dressed in a Barong- an embroidered long sleeve shirt. Essentially formal wear for men, it combines elements from both precolonial native Filipino and colonial Spanish clothing styles.

In the drawing, they're dancing the Cariñosa- a courting dance that first originated in Panay Island, introduced to the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines. The fan and handkerchief play essential roles in the man and woman's romantic scenario.

Though, of course, I wanted to add my own twist to that.

Here are some videos where you can watch a version of the dance and listen to the music.

(My art took inspiration from both videos)

[therainjumper]

Some personal art for today. What if Crosshair and Omega wore traditional Philippine dress?

[urmultideadfandomperson]

After nine days, I finally finished V's masquerade outfit! It was quite difficult to draw the desired dress, I eventually got what I wanted! Overall, it was really fun to draw this, especially the mask and the kerchief :DD

I used a color palette in Pinterest for this since I'm not very good with colors and all that... credits to Pinterest ;w;

Anyway, the animal I used for The Fool is a deer! Vianne is a kind person but also independent. However, because of her kindness, it makes V a naive person. I surfed the internet to find the perfect animal that suits this personality, and the result was a deer!

The kerchief on her shoulders is inspired by the Baro't Saya, a traditional dress for women in the Philippines. I'm Filipino myself, so it was a good idea to add this touch :3c

For now, this will be the official appearance of Vianne Dela Torre. Her casual outfit will arrive soon when I have the time to draw the clothes. Since our preliminary examinations are coming up, I won't get to post much.

I'll see you all soon! I hope you'll look forward more of V! <3333

(Bonus: Vianne Dela Torre w/o her masquerade mask)

[littlestpersimmon]

Lea and Pablo's clothes..!! Pablo's is called "barong Tagalog" / "dress (shirt) of the tagalog", Lea's is called "baro't saya" / "blouse and skirt". Fun fact, do you guys know the flamenco shawl / "mantoncillos" partially has its origins in the philippines?

Its also known as the Manila shawl; In more antiquated tagalog, it is known as the Alampay- The traditional shawl which was a part of the prehispanic clothing of Tagalog women (many of whom lived in Maynila, later hispanized into Manila) - During the earliest years of Spanish colonialism, they were made of pineapple lace, called Pañuelo, which were copied by Chinese merchants and recreated with Chinese embroidery motifs.

 Seville, Cordoba, and Granada: A Cultural History. (Elizabeth Nash) / Textiles of Southeast Asia (Robyn Maxwell)

[the1920sinpictures]

1920 c. Photo of Heidi Noriko's grandmother Filomena in the Philippines wearing the traditional dress. She was very pretty. From Heidi Noriko, FB.

[abroadlifeactually]

Its a Vibe (Free of Ghosts)

Over the last several years my birthday has been a week-long celebration. My 30th was spent relaxing on a beach and partying in Aruba with my best friend, which ushered in the trend to always do something lavish for my birthday. I maintained this tradition with vacations and spa treatments over the years. However, things started to change when I turned 40. One, I was pregnant, and two, it was during the covid years, thus severely altering how I could celebrate.  Last year we took a trip to the Philippines as a 40th redux, and to give me much needed R&R since our move abroad earlier that year was pretty rough. It was an amazing trip, but it wasn’t the “all about me” birthday vacation I had gotten used to. Sunbeam had just started to ween off breastfeeding, so I was pumping for relief and doing my best to maintain her schedule while we were away. On our return home Sunbeam got sick in the airport leaving us quarantined in a tiny hospital room for 2 days with all our luggage, no wifi, cell phone service, or drinking water, and a toilet leaking all over the floor. But that’s a story for another time. 

This past birthday the realization set in that the old days of sipping champagne all day aren’t returning; but it’s okay because my life is evolving, and change is a natural part of growth. At first I felt the need to cling to my old bday tradition to hold on to my “bad b*tch” aesthetic. Being able to splurge on myself and luxuriate for several days made me confident and independent. However, now I’m in a place where trying to uphold those traditions along with my new responsibilities is much harder. It’s not impossible, but definitely requires a lot more effort and planning, which can feel like a lot.

So what does a good birthday look like now? Earlier this year we took a family vacation to the Maldives, and were planning a visit back west around the holidays, so traveling was not an option. I thought about what brings me joy now, as a woman with a family. Hearing the happy squeals of my child brings me life, so I opted to bring Sunbeam to an indoor play gym in the morning, since she’s still a little too young to really enjoy Disney.  We had the place to ourselves. Later that evening, my husband arranged for our nanny to come so we could enjoy the evening out. He planned a beautiful evening. We ate a 6 course meal in a private room at the top of a building with a breathtaking view of the city. I was all dressed up and felt beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with my family.

As my life continues to evolve, my birthday celebration has to take other factors into account. This encouraged me to reexamine my perspective on what makes my birthday meaningful, and embrace what comes with evolution. I’m grateful for the way my life is progressing and all the new experiences it brings, which makes these changes all the more welcome.

Now on another note….this birthday also indicated that an ex situationship has FINALLY moved on. I met my husband back in 2016, and with any new relationship it may take some time for ex lingerers to officially cut ties. But when I was done or over a person, I would totally disappear, they’d never hear from me again.  So when Hubby and I met, I may have gotten a rogue text here or there, but for the most part we just moved forward uninterrupted.

But there was one. An ex? Not sure you could call him that, it really never got that serious, so I’ll just say someone I dated briefly. This person would send happy birthday texts every year to no response. This shockingly went on for 6 YEARS. There were no other messages exchanged in between, because we weren’t in contact. But every year without fail I’d get a random text filled with bitmoji. One year the text came with 6 different Bitmojis…. I thought about responding a few times just to say I’m married, or I’m married and pregnant, or I’m married with a kid and don’t even live in the country anymore. But I couldn’t figure out how to bring that up with a happy birthday text, and also didn’t feel conversing, so opted for cold silence instead.

These messages were especially surprising because he was the “i’m so busy” type. He made it very clear he was suuuper busy with all of his goals, so he needed to be focused. He was the type that presented as if he had it all figured out, while he questioned my ambition. The reality was, we just had different goals. But somewhere between my mid twenties and early thirties I fully accepted that I wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, which allowed me to stay grounded and not take negative things men said to me seriously. It was usually them, and not me. I’m not claiming to be perfect, but I stand by that assessment. I also didn’t try to change anyone’s mind, so when our communication gradually faded, it was all good. 

At first, the birthday messages made sense, right?  We were cool, there were no hard feelings. So the first time I got a text after all communication completely stopped I responded “wow, I can’t believe you remembered, thank you”. The following year, “thank you!!!” But in 2018 I decided, I wasn’t going to respond anymore messages, to send the message, MOVE ON. But he continued, he sent birthday texts year after year, to no response. I was slightly amused, but more so confused. Like, what was the reason!?!  We weren’t friends. I’ll never know what his motivations were, but for the first time in seven years the birthday texts finally stopped. I think he’s finally got the hint and moved on, good for him.