RP officials wear latest creations of textile body

MANILA, Philippines - If you think scientists are not fashionistas, the Department of Science and Technology will prove you wrong. Top officials of DOST donned the latest natural dye and fiber creations of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) during the opening ceremonies of the annual National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) Monday morning. Even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wore a natural dyed suit when joined the Ph.D.’s, scientists and engineers of DOST when she graced the opening ceremonies Monday at the World Trade Center in Manila. Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, PTRI director, said Arroyo’s suit in old rose was made of natural dye from the pigment from the hair of young coconut husk. PTRI is DOST’s research unit mandated to undertake research and development for the textile industry. The textile body was also able to extract pigments from other natural plants such as atsuete, talisay, and cogon, and some of these natural plant sources were featured in the Filipiniana outfits of the DOST officials. DOST male officials wore the traditional formal Barong Tagalog. But each barong was specifically designed for each official depending on the kind of research or service that their unit provides. For instance, the Barong Tagalog of Dr. Renato Solidum, director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), has volcanoes designed on the front panels. The barong of Engr. Rolando T. Viloria, executive director of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center, features mechanical gears while the barong of Engr. Denis F. Villorente, director of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute features networked personal computers. Tomboc’s Barong Tagalog features textile patterns and piña. Why piña among other textile materials usually associated with the Barong Tagalog? It is because when it comes to textile, piña is known as having originated from the Philippines, explained Tomboc. “We don’t want to lose the identity of the Philippines [even] in technology [or research]," he added. Female officials wore office suits styled in Maria Clara or patterned after Western suits. DOST Secretary Estrealla F. Alabastro wore a Muslim-inspired long dress also made from natural dye. Tomboc said the PTRI contracted New York-based designer Anthony Legarda Cruz to design the Filipiniana attire of the DOST officials and the science ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who are meeting in Manila. The 8th ASEAN S&T Week, a triennial meeting, is being hosted by the Philippines and is being held in conjunction with this year's NSTW celebration in the Philippines. Tomboc said the Barong Tagalog of the science ministers also feature designs that identify the ministers with their country – for example, the Garuda for the minister of Indonesia, the Merlion for the minister of Singapore, the Malaysian tiger for Malaysia’s science minister. The NSTW and ASTW opening ceremonies were both held Monday morning at the World Trade Center in Manila. Tomboc said the DOST took opportunity of the ASTW hosting and 50th anniversary of DOST this year as occasions to showcase the locally developed textile using dyes which were products of PTRI’s years of research. Already, PTRI has identified 74 plant sources for natural dye from an original number of five which our forefathers have been using, said Tomboc. The natural dyes featured in the Filipiniana attires of the DOST and ASEAN officials are new, developed only eight months ago. Tomboc said PTRI this time tried a different approach in dying. Instead of soaking textiles in natural dye, Tomboc said they’re now soaking fibers in natural dye even before they are woven into textiles. Also, while it took our forefathers 15 days to extract dyes from plant sources and make these dyes available, now, the PTRI is able to shorten the period to only two hours. Aside from extracting pigments from plants to produce natural dyes, PTRI is also doing research on how to make the colors stick to the fibers and how to get the right shade of color. - Veronica C. Silva, GMANews.TV