T’boli tribe fabric makers alongside Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office -Taytay,Rizal Focal Person Cristina ‘Chin’ Gonzales, Meme Borja

Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila — August 1, 2025

In a moment that can only be described as historic, the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) unveiled TelaHISTORIA: The Runway Story of Filipino Fabrics on August 1, 2025 — an event that dared to reframe fashion not just as style, but as sovereignty, history, and identity.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook

Mayor Allan De Leon, Councilor/Actress Cai Cortez, and key sponsors of TelaHistoria.

Held at the prestigious Newport Performing Arts Theater, TelaHISTORIA went beyond couture. It was a national declaration — that Philippine textiles are not remnants of the past, but enduring symbols of cultural pride, resilience, and forward momentum. In every weave, every pattern, and every silhouette, the Filipino story was told — not whispered, but roared down the runway.

The Fabric of Resistance and Reinvention

Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook

Mayor Allan De Leon, Councilor/Actress Cai Cortez, and key sponsors of TelaHistoria.

At the heart of the show was the resurgence of indigenous fabrics — not as exotic embellishments, but as centerpieces of Filipino ingenuity. Among the most compelling pieces of the evening was a design showcasing Tinnenun, the sacred handwoven textile of the Yakan tribe from Basilan, Mindanao. Once worn during rituals and passed through generations, this fabric now found new life under the runway lights, elevated through pairings with Mikado’s structured luxury and the elegant transparency of Jusi.

This was more than fusion — it was a cultural reclamation. The juxtaposition of ancient artistry with modern silhouettes was not just beautiful — it was bold. It signaled a new era where Filipino heritage commands the global stage, not as a novelty, but as a creative force rooted in authenticity and depth.

A Gathering of Culture’s Defenders

Cristina "Chin" Gonzales, Madam Renee Salud , Meme Borja

The evening was witnessed by some of the country’s most influential cultural stewards and industry figures — a testament to the show’s gravitas. Icons such as renowned designer Renee Salud, acclaimed actor Cris Villanueva, dynamic actress Cai Cortez, TIEZA COO Mark Lapid, and Taytay Mayor Allan De Leon stood in solidarity with the movement. Their presence sent a clear message: Philippine fashion is national heritage — and it demands preservation, protection, and promotion.

Taytay, Rizal: From Garment Hub to Creative Vanguard

One of the night’s most resonant moments was the spotlight on Taytay, Rizal, long dubbed the Garments Capital of the Philippines. Known for its sprawling apparel markets and mass production capabilities, Taytay made a bold entrance not as a manufacturer, but as a creative powerhouse.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook

Mayor Allan De Leon - Taytay Rizal

“This is a step forward for our town and a reminder that our rich garment heritage deserves national recognition,” declared Mayor Allan De Leon. “We will continue to find new ways to uplift our industries and support our artisans.”

Mayor De Leon’s words were not just political — they were visionary. Taytay’s transition from production to innovation reflects a larger national movement: empowering local economies through cultural capital. With leadership that embraces both tradition and transformation, Taytay is poised to redefine its place in the fashion landscape — not as the silent backbone, but as a leading voice.

More Than a Show — A Movement

Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook

Councilor Cai Cortez and Mayor Allan De Leon

TelaHISTORIA was not just a night of fashion. It was a cultural reckoning. A defiant response to centuries of colonial erasure. A visual manifesto that said: We are still here — and we are thriving.

Each garment was a vessel of memory. Each model, a storyteller. And each thread, a declaration that Filipino identity is not negotiable, not disposable — but powerful, dynamic, and eternally woven into the future.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook

Mayor Allan De Leon, Municipality Officials and Textile and Garmets Industry in Taytay, Rizal

In an era of fast fashion and fading traditions, TelaHISTORIA stands as a landmark moment: a call to honor our roots, uplift our artisans, and wear our culture not just with pride, but with power.

TelaHISTORIA #FDAP #FilipinoFashionRevolution #ModernFilipiniana #CulturalSovereignty #YakanWeaving #TinnenunPower #TaytayRising #SupportLocal #PhilippineTextiles #WearYourHeritage #ProudlyPinoy

By: Meme Borja