Culture, Filipinos in South Korea

Patadyong: Versatile Textile from Iloilo

I am an Ilongga living in Seoul. I come from Iloilo, located in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

I wear my patadyong, Iloilo’s traditional and most versatile textile, as my first choice among Philippines’ many choices of traditional clothing. I first wrote about my made in Miag-ao Patadyong (old website no longer exists) detailing how it is a big part of the weaving industry in Western Visayas, particularly Miag-ao.

I use my patadyong in my sons’ international school when I presented about the Philippine culture to the second graders. I wore it during the Philippine Women’s Club Hanbok and Tea Party.

I am an Ilongga in Seoul. I come from Iloilo, in the Western Visayas region where patadyong and kimona originated from. Patadyong is the colorful, patterned skirt produced by the old (but hopefully not dying) weaving industry in Iloilo, particularly Miagao. Kimona is the see-through top made of pineapple fiber. I am an Ilongga, proudly representing my traditional dress amidst the beautiful and colorful Hanbok. Cheers to Philippine Women’s Club’s “Hanbok and Tea Party”. Lets continue sharing our culture. #Ilongga #patadyong #kimona #patadyongandkimona #hanbokandteaparty #hanbok #IlonggainSeoul #Wendyflor #PWC #PhilippineWomensClub #sharingofcultures

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I wore it as a shawl while strolling in the streets of Seoul.


I wrapped my patadyong around me while congratulating South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in in his 1 year in office. It had been a strong 1st year for him diligently working at the Cheongwadae with a clear determination and lots of love for a peaceful Korea.


I am honored to be one of the Honorary Reporters from 14 countries to publicly congratulate the President. He is a solid rock the 2 Koreas can rely on.

(Updated on June 20, 2018)

On June 14, 2018, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul hosted a Diplomatic Reception to celebrate our country’s 120th Independence Day. Some of the Filipino women invited wore our traditional Filipiniana dresses. I wore my patadyong as a skirt in this formal affair:

photo credit: Ehd Mallo

(Updated February 24, 2019)

I have a scarf made of patadyong fabric and I used it as an accessory during a video release greeting for a happy new year and announcing that Korea.net’s Honorary Program will have bigger plans this year:

I absolutely love Dwight School Seoul’s VIP Reading Day. Every 21st of February, my sons’ school invites parents and other VIP’s (from embassies) to read and share our respective culture to the students by reading and speaking in our native tongue. This activity is actually a take-off from UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day. Last Thursday, I had a chance to wear my patadyong in red, blue and white hues and casually paired it with a shirt designed with our Philippine flag colors:

On President Moon’s second anniversary in office, Korea.net made another video and chose 5 Honorary Reporters to talk about his 2 years in office. I took this chance to wear my Blazer made of Hablon fabric.

I am looking forward to more occasions when I can wear and represent this fabric. So, I need to have more in my collection of patadyong fabrics:-).

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22 thoughts on “Patadyong: Versatile Textile from Iloilo

  1. I love your traditional shawl – patadyong! Things like that make you definitely stand out on any streets in Korea, instead of wearing the same fashion as everyone else. I like the different ways you put it together with your outfits and it made you look super colorful and sophisticated in the video honoring President Moon’s 1st year. Congratulations!

    1. Thanks, Alla. Patadyong is actually not a shawl. It was originally intended for use as a skirt:-)… but you can modify its use and in that video, I used it as a shawl.

      1. I am beaming with Filipino pride i all those photos you wore your patadyong, Ms Wendy. Thank you for not forgetting your roots and for proudly introducing it to other nationalities.

    1. It is uncommon as a dress, skirt or accessory. I would be happy if we learn to appreciate its versatility and use it more often.

  2. You look beautiful! I love how colorful it is. I’m sure you get lots of questions about it and it’s awesome you can educate people about Filipino culture! Do you have many friends in Korea that wear it as well? 😊

    1. Thanks, Morgan. I haven’t seen anyone use it yet except during events when they need to use it as a costume. But even then, it is rarely considered compared with other Filipiniana clothing. I hope we get to use it more often and be proud of what we have.

  3. I fell inlove with the patadyong knowing that you can use it to style an outfit in many ways. We, in the Cordillera, have ‘tapis’ in kankanaey.. We also value it the way ypu do with the patadyong.. 🙂 Nice job representing the Pinays in many occasions, Wendy..

  4. I love how you wear your patadyong and patronizing our locally made fabrics. Though its expensive, it is a good investment and can be an heirloom too.

  5. I’m glad to see you proud of your culture & background, wearing it whenever possible! Patadyong is really nice and colorful and the looks suit you.

  6. This makes me want to buy my own patadyong! I feel guilty because I often wear my modern hanbok on special occasions haha! Magpapagawa din ako ng personalized Patadyong.

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