At 74, Maria Beatriz “Patis” Pamintuan Tesoro is still full of life and shows no signs of slowing down. In the 408-page tome Filipiniana is Forever, written by her daughter Nina Tesoro Poblador and various contributors, see the colorful tapestries that form the storied career of the grand dame of Filipiniana fashion.
By ANNE STEPHANIE NILO
The recent launch of Filipiniana is Forever coffee table book and documentary at the Makati Sports Club was not just a gathering of friends and fans, but a celebration of Patis Tesoro’s life and her unmatched contribution to Philippine fashion and art.
Her work is guided by a vision to make Filipiniana wearable and a part of everyday wear, and not just a costume to be worn during the Buwan ng Wika (Filipino Language Month). The event showcased her newest modern designs that can even be paired with shorts or jeans, and are versatile enough to be suitable for casual, smart casual or formal settings. She said “we are too westernized” and her goal is “to promote Filipiniana that can be worn at home as a daster or a kimona top.”
The event did not only put a spotlight on models who strutted in her latest creations — her paintings that served as a digital backdrop to the fashion show were a feast for the eyes. Patis Tesoro wanted everything to be distinctly Filipino: her drawings depicted subjects with Filipino features, and modern renditions of Filipino folk songs such as “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang” created a festive atmosphere and provided an upbeat tempo that complemented her colorful and lively designs.
For her, there’s no such thing as “too much color.” From the paintings to the gowns, from bags to placemats that were displayed and sold, every corner of the hall came alive with vivid shades and hues. The same went for her makeup: this textile and mixed-media artist did not shy from putting rouge on her cheeks and bright tints on her lips. Her face seemed like a canvas too.
Her mischievous humor was as playful as her art. When asked about what excites her, Patis gamely replied, “everything that’s sexy!” During the fashion show, photographers captured her facial expression while pointing to the muscular pecs of the male model beside her. This Assumption and Maryknoll alumna was not afraid of revealing her naughty side.
With her long list of achievements, and despite the packed schedule — frequent meetings with clients in her atelier, her alone time for putting on paper the design ideas in her head, the interactions with fashion students, overseeing the daily operations of her Patis Tito Café and B&B — her vigor and zeal for this one dream project remain: to teach embroidery to the next generation of artisans and designers. “That is one thing we have to do because it’s part of our psyche as Filipinos,” she said.
Beyond her fame and the established name in fashion, Patis Tesoro remains simple and begins her day with a prayer thanking her creator. The key to her longevity, it seems, lies in having a grateful heart and reveling in the sheer joy of being alive: “I like to see the sun rise, and I’m thankful to God that I still have the energy. My health issues are there but I’m still alive.”
To order Filipiniana is Forever and other Patis Tesoro products, you may contact Madonna through Viber 0917-1265182, e-mail patistito@gmail.com, or Facebook and Instagram @patistito. You may also visit Patis Tito Garden Café in 285 Brgy Sta. Cruz, San Pablo City, Laguna.
