Fashion designer Francis Libiran is once again front lining his creative genius when he dresses up guests and representatives for the coming State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2024, to be held at the Batasang Pambansa grounds on Monday, July 22.
This time, however, a very distinct cultural attire called the ‘Batawi,’ is highlighted. Also known as the ‘Badjuh Masigpit’ because of its body-embracing fit, this colorful native attire is made of velvet or silk and is carefully adorned with gold or copper buttons, also called ‘Tambuko.’
The intricate and colorful dress by Libiran, will be worn by Honorable Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut, the partylist representative of Kusug Tausug who is the big voice for the Muslim Mindanao welfare in the House of Representatives.
Her dress will be complimented by a beautiful sawwal or loose trousers, an artistically embroidered blanket attire called the habul tiyahi’an, and the kindang, which is a wrap or an overlay round the waist and is similar to the tapis of non-Muslim Filipinas, is made of pis syabit cloth which Libiran embellished with colorful beads
“This being my last SONA as a legislator, I wanted to wear something that will show the history and culture of Sulu in its heyday as an economic power in the south. My 3-piece SONA attire, created by one of my favorite Philippine designers, Francis Libiran, is a favored design of the ladies of the sultanate which is a representation of our people,” Tan-Tambut said.
“This design is very special as it conforms to traditional and cultural modes that enhance the practice of ancestral legacy,” Libiran said. “It has now become the proud pattern for female Tausūgs to don the Batawi on very special occasions, and to be instrumental in creating something that brings pride to them, I am truly all for it.”
