Made of inabel fabric, the half-sun brooch, which comes either in cream or blue, is the brainchild of the newly formed Philippine Fashion Coalition. Expect to see it on the collars and chests of most people, both at the Batasan and on Zoom, who will attend and hear President Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address later today.
By Alex Y. Vergara
Don’t be surprised if you see certain politicians and government officials personally attending President Rodrigo Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) this afternoon at the Batasang Pambasa wearing brooches, which resemble the silhouette of a half-sun.
In keeping with standard health protocols during a pandemic, including social distancing and the wearing of face masks, people behind this year’s SONA have considerably limited the number of people invited to come to the Batasan to personally hear and see the president make his address.
Invitations, however, were sent out to other prominent public figures and elected officials, including Vice President Leni Lobredo, to listen to the chief executive’s annual report via Zoom. Trust many of these personalities to also pin the unity symbol either on their chests or collars.
The brooch, which comes either in cream or blue, is the brainchild of the newly formed Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) spearheaded by the likes of designers JC Buendia, Rajo Laurel and Amina Aranaz Alunan, among others. Dubbed as the “SONA brooch,” the symbol, says PFC, signifies both hope and unity.
PFC, an umbrella orgnization of various smaller groups and industries directly involved in fashion, including the staging of fashion shows and beauty pageants, was formed recently as a support group and as a means for the fashion industry to articulate and advance the needs and concerns of its members, who have been hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Laurel, in a recent meeting with the House of Representatives’ Committee on Economic Affairs, presented the current state of the fashion industry. In the absence of big, formal events, demand for “slow” or made-to-measure fashion has practically dried up.
Despite demand shifting to essential wear like PPEs and lounge wear, such a development isn’t enough to stem the bleeding, as these items offer limited profit margins. Meanwhile, designers, at least the more established ones, are doing everything they can to keep their workers employed. For the new designers, however, there seems to be no other option but to let go of their employees and close shop.
Most of these fashion-related businesses are also categorized under micro, small and medium enterprises, many of which are in dire need of government loans and subsidies if they are to survive the current health and economic crisis.
In a media statement provided by Rep. Stella Quimbo, one of Philippine fashion’s ardent supporters, both as an industry and as a vehicle in promoting Philippine culture to the rest of the country and the world, the brooch is a product of PFC’s diverse membership as well as a symbol of the country’s collective aspirations.
“The industry’s multitude of workers—from the weavers and raw material manufacturers, sewers, cutters, beaders, embroiderers, sales and logistics personnel, designers, creative professionals and brand owners—are represented in this carefully curated box that contains pieces to celebrate our industry, our culture, and our collective hope,” officials of PFC, in a joint statement, said.
Of the blue version, the PFC further explains: “It reflects and represents the deep waters surrounding our thousands of Philippine islands. It symbolizes confidence despite challenges, profound wisdom, stability, and unity.
“Indigenous inabel fabric is also incorporated into the traditional eight sun rays as the Philippine flag, but interpreted in a half-sun symbol that is meant to show that we are always collaborative and relevant when complemented and made part of the story.”
Through the efforts of certain women legislators, including Reps. Quimbo and Sharon Garin, chairperson of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Congress was able to pass on third and final reading last June 4 the ARISE Bill.
According to Quimbo’s media statement, the ARISE Bill aims to provide a “P1.3 trillion economic stimulus plan for the nation, with the aim of promoting business continuity and reviving business, consumer and worker confidence so that the economy is reopened safely and ultimately, so that Filipino workers are protected from layoffs.”
Once it takes effect, the media statement added, the ARISE Bill “would provide temporary relief for small businesses largely through wage subsidies, interest-free loans, credit mediation and credit guarantees, as well as longer-term recovery interventions such as training, technical assistance and necessary infrastructure like those boosting connectivity.”
Other designers who’ve joined the project by providing tops and accessories appropriate for SONA participation via Zoom include Marga Nograles of Kaayo Modern Mindanao, Randy Ortiz, Vania Romoff, Vic Barba, Gabbie Sarenas, Philip Rodriguez and Jor-El Espina.
Accessories designers Carla Cruz of Tropik Beatnik, Beatriz, Stride Collective and Twinkle Ferraren also contributed to the project. Buendia served as overall coordinator.
