Duterte’s inauguration ‘barong’ to have Mindanao ethnic touch

Antonio L. Colina IV

June 23, 2016
10:12 pm

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 June) – Chardin, a four-decade old haberdashery here, has prepared a dozen Barong Tagalog made from a synthetic non-itchy fiber just for the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte on June 30.

Designers Bonie Adaza (left) and Chad Pulache, of Chardin in Davao City, made Duterte’s Barong Tagalog for the inauguration. MindaNews photo by Antonio L. Colina IV

Designer Bonie Adaza said in an interview on Thursday that each barong, which costs about P6,500, is inspired by the embroidery designs of the unique patterns of traditional costumes of ethnic tribes in Mindanao.

“What we are preparing are customized embroidery. It has a Mindanawon touch for the reason that we will showcase where we are from and to show that we are proud Mindanawon,” he said.

Adaza said he and his fellow Chardin designer Chad Pulache designed each barong in such a way that would fit the modest fashion sense of the incoming president, who is mayor of Davao City for 22 years.

He added he had chosen only three colors for Duterte’s barong – beige, ecru, and darker brown – to match his modest fashion sense.

The material used for his barong, Adaza said, was a synthetic fiber called jusi while his pants are made from pure cotton.

He said six barongs have already been delivered while they are working double time to finish the remaining six to make it in time for June 30.

Adaza added he cannot say if Duterte would be changing barongs or would be wearing only one on inauguration day, which will start from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Brief encounter with Aquino

Incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) secretary Martin Andanar told a press conferenceon Wednesday there will only be a quick turnover between outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III and Duterte.

Aquino will welcome Duterte at the reception area where the former will hand the guestbook to Duterte for signing.

Both of them will then step out of the palace to offer the outgoing president departure honors.

The event will start at 10 a.m. but Duterte will be sworn in at 12 noon at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace. He is expected to deliver his message shortly after.

Andanar said there are two people who are working on his speech which is now being revised but he noted that the president “has full editorial control” on the speech, which will be in English, Tagalog, and possibly may include some Cebuano words.

Andanar said they are not discounting the possibility that Duterte may opt to deliver an extemporaneous message to the Filipino people.

After his message, Duterte will administer the mass oath taking of his cabinet members and meet members of the diplomatic community.

Incoming presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte will most likely stay in the palace after June 30 and start working immediately with his cabinet members.

He said he is not sure when will Duterte be flying back to his hometown.

In Davao City, Andanar said that there are volunteers who have already promised to lend their LED screens to flash the live inauguration of Duterte.

“All broadcasting companies will be covering the event. Those who don’t have access will be able to access content from RTV and Channel 4, so they will be hooking up,” he said.

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