CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — “High-end” Ternos and Barong Tagalog designed and made by Bulakenyo couturiers take centerstage in ‘Bulaklakan sa Bulacan’ 2025 edition.
Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) Tourism Division Head Limuel Jan Lobederio said, it aims to highlight the Bulakenyo fashion how it has been taking shape and reflects the quality of work in the field of design, merchandise, textiles and cosmetology.
This year’s ‘Bulaklakan sa Bulacan’ brings 87 teenagers, young adults and a toddler, who have presented their best Ternos and Barong Tagalog made by 20 Bulakenyo couturiers. Around 40 hair and make-up artists who are also based in the province, provided high-quality of making the models glow up.
Lobederio has emphasized that this is beyond a fashion show but an effort to preserve the tradition while promoting this dimension of Creative Industry in Bulacan.
PHACTO is seeking the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support this sector through its Malikhaing Pinoy Program under the Philippine Creative Industry Development Act (PCIDA) or Republic Act 11904.
DTI-Bulacan Officer-in-Charge Cristina Valenzuela earlier said, that local initiatives like the ‘Bulaklakan sa Bulacan’ is an opportunity to visibly showcase ‘Disenyong Bulakenyo’ Ternos and Barong Tagalog, as well as those in the cosmetology sector, that can be line-up along with other high-end brands in the country today.
The agency is eyeing to expand its annual CIRCA or the Creative Industries of Region 3 Community Assembly by including those in the design sector as well as in the fashion industry.
PHACTO started the indoor tradition in 2011 as ‘Santa Cruzan’. It was held yearly in various malls in the City of Malolos where many Bulakenyo shoppers were converging.
In 2016, to highlight the historical role of Bulacan in being the site of the first ‘Flores de Maria’, it was rebranded as ‘Bulaklakan sa Bulacan’ to further honor Virgin Mary.
Historical details obtained from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), showed that this tradition was started traces back in 1854 upon the proclamation of Dogma of the Immaculate Concepcion under then Pope Pius IX.
This devotion reached the Philippines when the Filipino priest, Msgr. Mariano Sevilla, translated ‘Flores de Maria’ in Filipino language and started to flourish in Bulakan, Bulacan in 1867. (UnliNews Online)
Source: PIA Bulacan
