Barong Tagalog

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A painting of Ramon Magsaysay, the first Philippine President to wear a barong to an official portrait

A Barong Tagalog (or simply Barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked, similar to a coat. It is the common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men. The term "Barong Tagalog" literally means "Tagalog dress" (i.e., baro ng Tagalog or dress of the Tagalog) in the Filipino language.

The barong was popularized as formal wear by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, who wore it to most official and personal affairs, including his inauguration as president. The barong was officially made the national costume by a decree from President Ferdinand Marcos in 1975.

[edit] Origin

This Filipino tradition dates back to the Spanish Colonial era. The most common theory about its origins is that the Spaniards made Filipinos wear barongs untucked to distinguish them from the ruling class. Also, barongs were usually made of thin fabric--almost transparent or transluscent--and with no pockets, so that the Spaniards could see that the wearer was not bearing any weapon under the garment.

However this theory has been questioned by other scholars and historians. They note the absence of a citation to the specific law where the Spaniards supposedly prohibited the natives from tucking their shirts. Secondly, they note that natives during the Spanish Era did wear their shirts tucked at times. A common example cited in support of this argument is Jose Rizal and his contemporaries, who were photographed in Western clothing with their shirts tucked. Thirdly, the Philippines is a tropical country and it is common for shirts worn untucked because of the hot climate. Finally, the barong is thought to be either the local adaptation or the precursor to the guayabera, a shirt popular in the Latin American communities. The guayabera shirt was originally called "Filipina" during the era of Manila Galleon tradeships when it was brought to Mexico from the Philippines.

[edit] Type of cloth used

Most barongs are made of piña cloth or jusi fabric. Piña cloth is made from fiber from pineapple leaves. Jusi fabric was once made from abaca or banana silk, but since the 1960's, it has been replaced by imported silk organza. Jusi is mechanically woven and stronger than the piña cloth, which is hand loomed and more delicate. However, piña cloth is more expensive than jusi and is thus used for very formal events.