BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL BANACA
Resilient Like The Filipino People
Innovative Filipino designer Dita Sandico Ongis presents ‘banaca’ the name she coined for the magnificently elaborate fashion wraps she designs using abaca fibre, a material from a plant indigenous to the Philippines. Dita visited Tempo’s offices, along with the Philippines Ambassador Grace Princesa, to demonstrate the stylish versatility of ‘banaca,’ while the ambassador discussed the material’s miraculous properties. Tempo’s Vera Rosales laid out the red carpet for a fashion shoot…
Vera: Dita, can you tell us more about yourself and your fashion line?
Dita: I’ve been a designer for the past 30 years, and I work with the special fabric called banaca, short for banana-abaca, which comes from a little fishing village in the south of the Philippines called Catanduanes. Villagers there hand weave the fabric. Everything is organic and it goes through a process of weaving, dying, spinning and hand knotting – and this industry helps sustains the community.
Vera: Ambassador Grace, how did you meet Dita?
Ambassador Grace: Growing up in a province called Albay, I was very fond of abaca. And when I started working in diplomatic services, I kept hearing about Dita Sandico Ong’s wraps. Once I became an ambassador, I wondered what I could wear in the UAE that uniquely represents the Philippines and its people. After a bit of research, I discovered that the Philippines is the top producer of abaca in the world and that the agriculture secretary described the fabric as a clear representation of what the Filipino people are made of: “strong, resilient and exceptional”. And from then on I followed Dita and her work reverently, eventually calling her and creating this relationship.
Vera: Dita, tell us about the community initiative for the villages that you work with as part of your fashion line’s advocacy.
Dita: It’s been my passion for the past thirty years to work with the weavers in the villages. When I was young my father used to immerse us culturally, by taking us into the mountains where there were a group of weavers called the Mangyans. That was my first exposure to the weaving industry. And little did I know that eventually I would become a fashion designer and work with their weaves and fabrics. Somehow this early exposure enlightened me to help people in this community.
Ambassador Grace: I think that this is a great initiative by Dita as it not only helps the environment, but it is a livelihood-generating project that helps the women in these communities. This is why I want to showcase the product in the UAE; not only as a beautiful art form and sustainable product but also to help the people behind its production.
Vera: Dita, what difficulties did you face in building your banaca wraps business?
Dita: My business went through so many different phases that I had to figure out what it was that I really wanted to do. It was also part of tracing my roots, going back to where I started and somehow establishing a connection with the past. I loved the sustainability of the raw materials and I knew that there were challenges that were going to come. I had to have a stronger sense of my ideas and what I wanted to do. I told myself, “I think I can do this for a living now”.
Vera: How did you come up with your ‘banaca’ designs?
Dita: My first inspiration was the “paru-paro,” which is the butterfly. The ‘banaca’ fabric has the same qualities as the butterfly wings: transparent, translucent, sheer, and the fabric shines on its own. It really took off so we made the wraps with different butterfly names.
Ambassador Grace: The nice thing about Dita is that she creates her own genre. She is the ‘banaca’ queen, and she’s the only person who does this.
Vera: Indeed, this is the first time Tempo has come across anything like this. Dita, what is it about your job that you love most?
Dita: I enjoy the travel and getting invited to shows that bring out the best of the Philippines. I love being able to showcase the craft and to do fashions shows abroad and to meet new people – and seeing their excitement when they see and feel the wraps.
Vera: Where have you been showcasing your fashion?
Dita: Before coming here, we were in Athens. We were invited by the Philippine ambassador in Greece to display our products at an event marking the Philippine Independence Day. It was extremely well attended, especially by the different foreign ministries. And I think the best part was showing audiences how these clothes can be worn, and how they are relevant to the international market.
Vera: So what do you have planned for your fashion line?
Dita: We’re looking at expanding globally – selling through my website but also marketing through other online stores and getting more exposure through shows. My company has to keep evolving; with new designs displayed in my shows and shared with people of different cultures.
Vera: How has your experience in the UAE been?
Dita: It’s like a new experience every time I visit, because it is always changing and you get to meet new people. Abu Dhabi is a place where there’s a lot of excitement going on and there’s a lot of youth and creativity. This place has given me the opportunity to get in touch with people of all ages and walks of life. That alone gives me the energy to go back to the Philippines and say, “yes, I’m going to do more things and hopefully make a difference”.
Vera: Do you think the UAE has a role to play in international fashion?
Dita: Definitely, but I would also like to hopefully inspire UAE fashion in two ways, in the use of innovative fabric such as this and in styling, such as the silhouette effect that my wraps produce. I’d like to think we can assist fashion designers here with input on fabric and even in sewing techniques.
Vera: Do you think the UAE has a sense of its own style?
Dita: Oh yes, definitely. I can see it and it’s clear what people want. The culture speaks for itself and people have their own way of thinking. We hope to get nationals to take notice of what we are doing.
Vera: What is your message for aspiring designers?
Dita: Get back to yourselves and become rooted in a cause that means something to you. If you know yourself better, then you can produce more beautiful things. People will take notice because of who you are – and not just for creating things. You should also show respect to your culture, and love for your country.
Vera: Ambassador, any special message to Filipinos reading this?
Ambassador Grace: I know you are all like the abaca – so stay strong, resilient and exceptional.
