I was intrigued when I first heard about Barong Batik. The name readily suggests a fusion of Filipino and Indonesian cultures. But, what exactly is Barong Batik? I got to meet the owners and founders of Barong Batik and first-hand learned the story of how the brand came about. Tito Freddy Mercado and Tita Thel… Read More Barong Batik: Fusion of Filipino and Indonesian Cultures
My friends and I attended the Indonesia Fashion Week last Friday, February 24, 2023. It was our month’s highlight. The show we attended was “Age of Archipelago”. The title itself speaks of the tone and concept of the show. Indonesian fabrics and designs were showcased, including leather. The only non-Indonesian was from the Philippines, Mr.… Read More Indonesia Fashion Week
The pottery at Klipoh Village in Yogyakarta has seen its rise in visits through the help of the provincial tourism office. Pottery is being promoted as part of its culture and arts program. The village and its people whose livelihood is pottery is getting a lot of support through promotions. This is how I got… Read More Pottery at Klipoh Village in Yogyakarta
As a 외국 가족 (foreign family) living here in Korea, with no roots to pay homage to the way Koreans do their ancestral rites, my family and I, and our friends, walked the streets of Chinatown the day before the Lunar New Year. We knew there was no public celebration to look forward to. Instead,… Read More Walking the Streets of Chinatown
(also published in Korea.net: Honorary Reporters Meet Winners of Talk Talk Korea) The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially launched Talk Talk Korea in 2013 as a global content contest showcasing Korea to the world. The contest has come a long way since then. This year, 2018, had… Read More Honorary Reporters meet winners of Talk Talk Korea contest
The national costume of the Philippines are the barong tagalog for men and baro’t saya for women. I’ve always wanted to wear our Philippine dress the way Koreans proudly wear their Hanbok during every occasion they could possibly find a reason to wear it. I’m more inclined to get the more wearable and casual kimona which originated from the Visayas. The kimona, like the Mestiza and… Read More My Hablon “Patadyong”: Himu sa Miag-ao (Made in Miag-ao)
The first time I had gas refill in a Shell Station in Cabanatuan, I was amazed! Awed! I candidly took a photo of the staff who awed me with his enthusiasm in greeting us in Tagalog: Gasoline station in Cabanatuan: “Ano po ang ipambabayad nila? SALAPI o TARHETANG PANGKALTAS?” “Meron po kayong TARHETANG PAMPUNTOS?” Tagalog… Read More “Wikang Filipino” sa Shell Station sa Cabanatuan
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… Read More Patadyong: Versatile Textile from Iloilo
The upcoming Jeongdong Culture Night (정동 야행) this weekend (May 11-12, 2018) had inspired me to walk the streets of Jeongdong earlier this week before the place will be filled with festive people bent on enjoying the days and nights of Jeong-dong culture. I was delighted to have my husband in this walk since Monday, May… Read More Jeongdong-gil Walking Tour
The weekend of April 29-30 was very festive here in Seoul especially in the Insadong and Jongno area. The streets were adorned with lantern in honor of Buddha’s birthday. The Annual Lantern Parade happened on this weekend and I (at last!) successfully persuaded my husband to watch the parade and bring the kids for a… Read More Getting a Good Spot for the Annual Lantern Parade