Manila designers bring indigenous artforms to their work

Nadine Kam photos
Manila designers Cora Manimbo and Oskar Atendido with Catherine Caldwell of HI Luxury magazine, center, in one of Manimbo’s jackets comprising silks imported to the Philippines, as well as hand-woven fabric from Ilocos Norte. The jacket is about $200.

Manila designers Cora Manimbo and Oskar Atendido visited Hawaii Island, before flying over to Oahu for a “Filipiniana Americana Fashion & Art Show” that took place Nov. 8 at the New Life Church.

In a presentation Nov. 13 at Fresh Cafe Downtown, Manimbo showed some traditional ternos and blouses made with indigenous Philippines fabric, noted for its intricate embroidery, beadwork and handpainting. Manimbo creates many of her own fabrics.

Atendido showed his fine handcrafted filigree jewelry made of silver, copper and gold, saying he had long been interested in the handcrafted pieces in his mom’s jewelry box and would study them for hours, trying to figure out how they were made.

“What I found was a craft that was rapidly disappearing that was worthy of saving, because once you lose it, you lose it,” he said.

Oskar Atendido shows one of his filigree jewelry designs, utilizing handcrafting techniques that were being lost in the Philippines.

Filigree work found its way to the Philippines through schools Belgian missionaries. Up until about 10 years ago, when programs were starting to be phased out, the techniques were still being taught at Saint Louis University, a private Catholic university run by Belgian nuns in Baguio, in central Luzon.

Atendido said the school also teaches Belgian lace, or tatting, tradition, on which the filigree is based, hence its resemblance to lace.

The exhibition also featured artwork by Jasmine Knight and Leni Knight, who organized the events as a fundraiser for Local Family Caregivers, to assist families in need for financial support for respite care and other assisted-living services.

Anna Davide wears one of Cora Manimbo’s light-wear jackets of piña, or pineapple fiber, with handpainted flowers. The jacket is about $300.

From left, Angelica Reyes, Raizza Pulido and Novie Hartwell, Mrs. Hawaii Filipina 2014, wear jackets created by Manila-based designer Cora Manimbo.

From left, Hartwell, Reyes, and Pulido, Miss Teen Hawaii Filipina 2014, wear ternos created by Manimbo.

A detail of Manimbo’s handcrafted, appliquéd and embellished fabric, as worn by Raizza Pulida in the photo above.

Oskar Atendido’s filagree orchid design. He also created necklace featuring the Lily of the Valley that he said in the Philippines, grows only in Baguio City.

More floral filagree work with coral centers.

The earliest jewelry reflected religious belief, and many designs were created with a compartment to carry relics of saints. Religious motifs continue to be popular in filagree jewelry from the Philippines.

Leni Knight, whose artwork graces the walls, organized the exhibition.

Anna Davide in a pink terno by Cora Manimbo.

Angelica Reyes in a gothic-style terno.