Carmela Reyes-Estrope
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA—Today’s modern Bulakenyo design Filipiniana including books and artifacts about the rich history and culture of Bulacan are the highlights and limelight in this year’s Philippine-American History Month celebration in the House of the Philippines (HOP) in the International Houses of Nations in Balboa Park here last Oct. 19.
Belle Limoge, First Vice President of the HOP, one of the 38 museums in the International Houses of Nations In Balboa Park received during the celebration, a Pandi-designed gown, books and artifact gifts from the Bulacan provincial, city and municipal govenments.
The modern Pandi Filipiniana gown,,which is a famous craft by “Disenyo Pandi” was a gift sent to HOP by Bulacan Board Member Richard Roque, head of the tourism committee of the Bulacan Provincial Board . The design of the native dress of Filipino women is the most in demand today that is sold and supplied to malls in Metro Manila and all over the country. Its is also featured and promoted in many social media and online market selling paltforms.
The design is a combination of a Filipiniana sleeves blouse design (bolero) using ethnic styled and sewn fabric and the “pinya” or satin type of cloth for the dress.
According to Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque, the “Disenyo Pandi” gown collection produced by designers and sewers in Pandi is now a more than three decades industry of the town.
Today, according to his brother, Board Member Roque, the gown making industry in Pandi is almost an every household business and livelihood.
Limoge told NEWSCORE that she has become familiar with the modern Pandi-design Filipiniana as she had encountered kababayans in the country wearing the dress in many gatherings she had just attended last year and in September when she came home to the Philippines.
A Barong Tagalog worn by Senator Lito Lapid with his embroidered face design and a Philippine map at the back that was donated to the HOP in 2022 has been keeping the HOP museum in vibrant and native Filipino atmosphere.
Also, San Diego-based HOP 2022 Second Vice President Myra Villafana who hails from Pampanga facilitated such Lapid Barong Tagalog’s donation.
“It is our newest addition to our collection here in the House of the Philippines. We are very thankful to our Bulacan leaders and kababayans who gave them as gifts to continue to promote our Philippine culture among Filipino people here in San Diego and before international community,” she said.
Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando through the late Eliseo dela Cruz, head of the Bulacan provincial history arts, culture and tourism office (PHACTO) donated Mojon: Mga Bulakenyong Bayani ng Kasaysayan by Jaime Salvador Corpuz; The Women of Malolos: Patriots and Feminists: By Nicanor Tiongson and Mary Arlene Torres; Mga Katutubong Awit sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan ni Marquez Cartel; Isang Maikling Talambuhay ni Heneral Isidoro Torres (1866–1928) by Martin Isidro; Sapang Palay: Hacienda, Urban Resettlement and Core of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan by Jaime Vieneracion; Remembering Lolo Simon Ocampo Tecson: Leader in the Siege of Baler by Luis Zamora Tecson; Tanghal Bayani by Joseph Cristobal; Sineliksik Bulacan: Saliksik at Sagisag ng Kasaysayan ng Bayan Ko (Tomo I) ni Jaime Veneracion and Sineliksik ng Bulacan: Pamana ng Lahi, Yamang Aking Ipinagmamalaki (Tomo II) by Jaime Veneracion.
Bulacan Salinlahi Inc. ( a history and cultural group in City of Malolos) donated “Goyo,” (Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, the young general) book.
Mayor Vergel Meneses of Bulakan town donated framed photographs of heroes Marcelo del Pilar and Gregorio del Pilar, the two greatest heroes and sons of the town and the province.
Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Chairwoman Corina Tengco-Bautista and Consultant and former Executive Director Mara Bautista donated miniatures of carabaos, symbolizing the annual kneeling carabao festival in Pulilan town. The kneeling carabao festival had been continuously hailed as one of the best festivals in the Philippines.
Mayor Ferdie Estrella of City of Baliwag also donated Buntal Hats, which the city is famous for, for so many years.
PHACTO Head Dela Cruz who signed the book donation on Oct 1 died on Oct. 18, a day before the said celebration and history and cultural gift-giving.
Villafana facilitated the donatoons of Bulacan’s historical and cultural books and artifacts for the museum through Carmela Reyes-Estrope her college classmate in Centro Escolar University (CEU Malolos in 1990.
Estrope, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer and publisher/editor-in-chief of NEWSCORE, handed the gifts to the museum. Estrope is also the secretary of Kabesera, the cultural and heritage group of Bulakan town. Estrope also teaches media and communication in Centro Escolar University (CEU)-Malolos and also the president of the Central Luzon Media-Citizen Council (CLMCC).
The HOP managed to have its own museum in 2021. For the past several years, it only shared in the House of France.
Limoge said, contributions by HOP officers, members led by its current President Romulo Sarno and other Filipinos all over the United States had helped built the museum. She said, the HOP is the only museum in the United States that features and promotes the Philippine history, culture and heritage.
Limoge, other HOP member Elsie Calvin and her husband—American national Tim Calvin and other Filipina leaders who also belong to the Filipino-American Cultural Organization Cultural Dance Group also performed Filipino native dances Salakot, Ati-atihan, Malong, Rosas Pandan, and other native Filipino dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Limoge said, they welcome more gifts and donations from the Philippines to continue to enrich and preserve Philippine heritage among international communities particualrly in San Diego.
The museum is open every weekends.
Villafana was a graduate of tourism while Estrope was a journalism graduate.
