Sales Tips. The Corporate Lifestyle. Davao's Bleisure Scene.
STYLE PICKS: Habi Kadayawan 2019
Among the three editions, the 2019 run was thus far with the most entries for men.
A convertible scarf from the Bagobo tribe and a Kimono suit jacket detailed with Ovu-Manuvo bead works were just two of the ethnic-contemporary menswear pieces which competed for this year’s Habi Kadayawan. Among the three editions, the 2019 run was thus far with the most entries for men.
Habi Kadayawan is a fashion accessories design competition held every August as part of Davao city’s celebration of Kadayawan Festival. It is a collaborated project of the City Government and the Davao Fashion and Design Council. Design entries are inspired by the rich and diverse 11 tribes of the City. (Photos are from the Davao City Government Facebook Page)
Apart from the usual categories for Fashion Accessories namely professional, hobbyist and student, a Luxe Apparel for professional designers category was added to this year’s competition. Parameters for the competing designers and their tribal inspirations were not limited anymore within the Davao Region. Starting this year, wearable articulations from any ethno-linguistic tribe found in Mindanao were qualified to compete.
Menswear Picks : Habi Kadayawan 2019
SCARF-TO-SLING BAG CONVERTIBLE ACCESSORY by Bae Arlene
Tagged as Pangulabe, this convertible scarf is worn as Tangkulo, a headpiece of male tribal elders that symbolizes royalty and bravery. It can also be worn as San Ning, a woven and beaded sling bag worn by the Bagobo tribe as part of their traditional attire. The convertible feature from the usual scarf to a functional sling bag is such an ethnic styling treasure. Can you imagine if the designer would add pieces with neutral colors of brown or olive green? I would love to own two more!
PINK SUIT WITH TNALAK SEWN SLEEVES by Noga Vesorio
A formal wear from the three-piece collection entry of Vesorio’s “Sleek Symmetry”. Behold how stylishly cut strips of T’nalak fiber on a dandy colored suit highlight a man’s torso, shoulders and arms even when he is so wrapped in a suit. The inner shirt, with T’nalak strips on its chest pocket (not photographed) exudes its own sleekness even without the jacket.
KIMONO SUIT JACKET WITH OVU-MANUVO BEAD WORKS by Jun Artajo
Bagging this year’s third spot in the Luxe Apparel category, this blue formal menswear with an Asian kick is from the three-piece collection entry of Artajo’s “Dez Vouz”. It features geometries with Ovu-Manuvo tribe bead works.
SCULPTURED COPPER WIRE NECKLACE by Dennis Almoroto
Won this year’s Grand Price for the Hobbyist category, “Macodee” is a neck piece made from electrical copper wire accented with pears. Created by Almoroto, a waste-to-art advocate jewelry designer, the human wire sculpture holding hand in hand embodies unity and wisdom of the 11 tribes in Davao. Looking forward how this necklace could be expanded with a version for men. It looks minimalist and downright stylish.
T’NALAK-MADE ACCESSORIES
T’nalak is made from weaved Abaca fibers. It is a traditional craft of the T’boli tribe from South Cotabato. Seeing these accessories made from it is truly a style statement with functional features.
Harness Bag by Untamed Kulture is streetwear made from Tnalak fiber, accented with polymer clay and high quality harness straps. Baseball cap by Mei Medalla is made froma T’boli woven fabric of Abaca, Tnalak. A high fashion belt bag as part of this year’s winning Luxe Apparel collection of Mark Pabon tagged as Living the Dream inspired from the Dream weavers of South Cotabato.
Honorable Mentions
Props also to the finalists behind these menswear.
A green Kimono suit with Inaul sleeves inspired by the Moro ethnic group of the Maguindanaon by Gelmar John Buyan. A brown suit from “Kapa de Garbo” of Bonnie Adaza that complements the traditional blazers of the Tagakalo Tribe.
There were definitely two reasons that made this year’s “Habi” such a prelude to a promising tribe-inspired fashion spectacle to look forward every August.
First, the competition is now pan-Mindanao. This southern Philippine island is truly an ethnic bliss adorned with rich tribal artistry that the fashion world deserves to see.
Second, is the influx of Menswear entries. The participation of these style pieces for men proposes that a “Clothing Collection” is complementary. There are pieces for him and pieces for her. Thus, inviting more male audience (and designers) in the coming Habi seasons. See you then!
“Clothing pieces may be stiff as “For Him” and “For Her”. But, we should be reminded though that “Dressing up” on the other hand is fluid, is freestyle. For him, for her, for him who wants to look like her or for her who wants to look like him, for them, for us.
Winners: Habi Kadayawan 2019
Luxe Apparel Design Category, judged by fashion designers Ito Curata and JC Buendia and former Preview Magazine editor-in-chief and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director, Pauline Suaco-Juan.
GRAND PRICE: Mark Pabon’s “Living the Dream” collection speaks confidence and an adventurous spirit that’s out to make a statement. It is inspired from the Dream weavers of South Cotabato.Pabon’s entry for the Fashion Accessory category bagged the Philippine Airlines Colors of Kadayawan special awardee.FIRST RUNNER-UP: Shine Casiño’s “Diversity of Culture” from Cagayan de Oro City is a collection of modified Islamic kaftans and tunics accentuated with cuts inspired by the decorative carvings of the torogan houses of the Maranao’s ruling datu class.SECOND RUNNER-UP: Jun Artajo’s “Dez Vouz” of Davao City featured the artistry of the Obo-Manobo tribe with triangles and shimmering beads.
Pabon, Casiño and Artajo’s went home with P150,000 in cash, P75,000 and P50,000, respectively.
Fashion Accessory Design Categories, deliberated by accessory designers Adante Leyesa and Ann Ong and lifestyle writer Mons Romulo.
Grand Winner – Student, a handbag by Stephen Azarcon of Surigao del Sur , Grand Winner – Professional, a shoulder bag byPatrick Gabutina of Cagayan de Oro City
The grand winner for the Hobbyist category is a sculptured copper wire necklace by Dennis Almoroto of Davao City. Each are awarded with a cash prize of P100,000.
All four Grand Winners get the opportunity to showcase in Manila FAME in October along with the Davao Fashion Design Council.
John is a millennial Closer behind www.johndappercloser.com. He writes about the Corporate lifestyle, Sales tips, Menswear and Davao city's Bleisure scene. Join his Closer-to-CEO journey on Facebook and Instagram, @johndappercloser.
View all posts by John Llamas
JOHNDAPPERCLOSER 
3 thoughts on “STYLE PICKS: Habi Kadayawan 2019”