In the Philippines, the national costume for men is known as the "Barong Tagalog," while the national costume for women is called the "Terno." Below, the Worldway immigration editor provides a brief introduction to the national costume culture for men and women for the reference of those considering Philippine immigration.
Men's National Costume
This is a silk-like, close-fitting shirt that reaches the hips. The collar is similar to a standard shirt suitable for wearing a tie, with long sleeves and cuffs resembling those of a suit jacket. The front of the garment, from the neckline to the sides of the hem, features intricate drawn-thread cutout patterns, each unique and quite elegant. It is said that during the Spanish colonial period, to distinguish Filipinos from Spaniards from a distance, the colonial authorities ordered all Filipinos to wear their shirts untucked. Later, Filipinos began to embroider various patterns on the shirts as a symbol of Filipino pride. In the early 1950s, this attire was officially designated as the national costume for Filipino men, serving as formal wear for diplomatic occasions, celebrations, and banquets.
Women's National Costume
This is a round-neck, short-sleeved dress. Because its sleeves stand straight and rise slightly above the shoulders, resembling a butterfly spreading its wings, it is also known as the "butterfly dress." This attire incorporates features from many Western European countries, particularly Spanish women's clothing, and has evolved over three or four hundred years to become the national costume of Filipino women.
Chinese civilization has a long and profound history, and the profound influence of Chinese culture can be seen in the national costumes of the Philippines. Therefore, when you choose to immigrate to the Philippines, you are choosing another journey of experiencing Chinese civilization.
