Ok, I’ve been here for a little more than 7 years already and in most ways, I have really adapted to the local culture. I will never be Filipino, but at least I can adapt to local customs as much as is comfortable for me. Today, I started down the road to one more move in that direction.
I ordered a Barong Tagalog to be made!
For those who don’t know what a Barong Tagalog is, it is a formal shirt that is worn here. A Barong is what you would wear for most formal occasions. If, in the west an occasion would call for a suit to be worn, then a Barong Tagalog is the proper thing to wear here.
I have never owned a Barong. If an occasion happened where I needed to dress in a more formal way, I dressed up a bit, but never a Barong.
Well, yesterday, a person who is very close to me delivered an invitation to me for his upcoming wedding. I am one of his sponsors in the wedding. This guy has worked for me in the past, and I really like him a lot, and I respect him for his intelligence and his work ethic. He is a great guy. He told me that the proper attire was a Barong. I told him that I don’t normally wear a Barong, and he said it was OK. But, as I thought about it, I decided that I want to get one to show my respect for this young man. He deserves it.
In addition to this upcoming wedding, I am beginning to get some requests for speaking engagements. I spoke at a college commencement earlier this year, and I have two speeches scheduled in a few months, so a Barong Tagalog will be more fitting for those occasions too.
I am kind of excited to get the Barong Tagalog. I am having it custom made at a local tailor here in Davao. Maybe I’ll post a photo of me wearing it after it is available. Then again… maybe not! 😉
lol///i feel like i’m wearing a pajama top in those things…..good on ya , I’m sure the young man will be pleased…respect is a corner stone in flip culture.
Congrats, Bob. It’s a good investment. A well made barong is really nice to have. I had one custom made a few years ago, and I’m glad I did. It’s perfect for the weather, A suit is just too hot.
Tip: If you can, avoid wearing short sleeved t-shirts. A kamisechino (sic) is a proper, cool, silky long sleeved shirt that gives the barong a clean look — instead of seeing your arms and under t-shirt through the transparent sleeves.
Plus, your arms don’t get itchy from the harsh barong fabric. 🙂
Hope you can show us a picture of your Barong Tagalog. 😉 And please blog on that Filipino Style of Wedding.
bob, do u know a link which has 'learn to speak visayan'? cannot seem to find any cd's which teach this langauge as they speak it, The formal visayan langauge is not what I'm after….looking for the type which they speak in the city ( according to my wife there is a difference ).
I need to correct myself. A lot of people wear short sleeved undershirts. The K-chino is just a preference of mine.
Hi Carlos – Thanks for visiting my blog! I will do my best to post a photo, and also to blog about the wedding!
Hi Brian – It will be my first time to wear a Barong, so I'll have to see how it feels! Regarding the "learning to speak bisaya" I have a website for that, which includes text and also audio lessons. Check it at: http://visayas.wowphilippines.com/bisaya I hope it helps!
Hi Macky – Thanks for the pointer! I do agree that the Barong is probably a good investment. And you are right, suits are just too darn hot! I am going a little different on my barong – it's going to be short sleeve! Ha ha… I know that's not the exact Filipino way, but hey, like I said, I am not Filipino, nor will I ever be. I think it's a good compromise! Actually, the tailor said they make a fair number of short sleeve barongs these days anyway.
Good idea with the short sleeve barong. I know friends (from Davao and the States) who choose that same design.
Hi Macky – Thanks for the vote of confidence! I have actually been a little worried that a short sleeve barong might be regarded as odd, but Feyma keeps reassuring me that it is getting more popular and certainly won't be regarded as being a "one of a kind". I'm glad to know that you know some people who have opted for that as well!
Hi Bob,
Good move! I'm sure you'll look good in a polo-barong (that's what they call a short-sleeved barong). Once you get over this hurdle, you could have a real barong made. As the elders would say "It will make you look dignified." I'm looking forward to the pictures. Good luck and best wishes to the couple!
Hi Bob
I have had a Barong Tagalog for a few years and although they are traditional and look smart, because of the kind of material from which they are made you will find that you do perspire when wearing it. The material doesn`t allow your skin to breathe through it. Incidentally as I told you once before I do speak Bisaya quite fluently so if any of your readers would like any tips on the language I would be pleased to help
Keep up the good work
Malcolm
Hi Bob
I have owned a Barong Tagalog for several years and although they are traditional and look very smart, you will find that it does make you perspire because of the kind of material from which it is made. It doesn`t allow your skin to breathe through it. Incidentally, as I told you once before, I do speak Visayan or Cebuano quite fluently and would be happy to give your readers any tips if they ask me.
Keep up the good work
Malcolm
I still got my Barong from our weding day over 25 years ago, Problem is can't even get my arm down the sleeve anymore….LOL
To much lupia over the years I guess….
Mitch
Hi Bob, I got married 2 years ago in a Barong Tagalog, hey as Mitch says, I cannot get my Barong around my gut anymore, too many Fajitas, and too many visits to Aroma Chinese buffet, guess I need a new one, would look forward to seeing you Bob in your Barong, cant wait for the Pic.
Hi Tina – I doubt if I would ever get a long sleeved Barong – that's a little too formal for me, plus I don't like wearing long sleeves, particularly in the tropics. Too hot!
Hi Malcolm – I worried about the "breathability" of the fabric. I did choose a nice fabric from the barong shop, though, we will see how it goes!
Hi Mitch – Ha ha… when I got married, I wore a suit. And I sweated and sweated! Whew, I can still remember how uncomfortable that was!
Hi Pete – Those fajitas will do it every time!!
I wore a barong that was custom made for me when I got married in the Philippines. It is still in my closet. I only wear it on special times. It was wvery hot and in the wedding pictures you can see me driping. My wife used a hand fan on me though the entire wedding If that is not true love what is? I like the cloth they called it pineapple. The shirt and pants were all made in two days by a taylor in Tacloban.
Hi Don – very cool! Oops.. I mean hot. Ha ha.. your wedding sounds just like mine, I sweated up a storm and Feyma fanned me the whole time! Ha ha.
So, you have a Pina barong? Those are the highest quality ones from my understanding, and expensive too. The material is actually made from materials in the Pineapple plant.
Hi Bob, a barong is definitely cooler for weddings, I mean this literally. My brother got married there 12 years ago and he and his wife decided they wanted tuxes. I told them they were crazy. Since I knew there were no places to rent them in Davao then, we had to buy them and bring them from L.A. The ceremony was at Redemptorist Church and was hot the whole time. Even the reception at Insular didnt help, It was still hot.
You are going to look spiffy in your new barong. I hope the tailor will do a good job. By the way who did you use to have it made ?
Allen
Hi Allen O – Thanks for the tips! I got married here in a suit, and that was a terrible experience! I can imagine that a tux must have been much worse!
I am not sure of the name of the shop that is making my barong. I actually let Feyma go out and take care of it all for me! 😉