If you are looking for a new destination to visit this weekend, why not drop by Museo ng Muntinlupa and view “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN,” in celebration of ASEAN Month.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the newly opened city museum will bring history, culture and the arts to residents in southern Metro Manila.

ASEAN traditional attire not only serves to dress its bearer but embodies a country’s heritage

The Museo has interactive galleries, a contemporary art space, research center and meeting spaces and a state-of-the-art 200-seater theater for performances and conferences.

To show off its facilities, the city is presenting the ASEAN costume show as its inaugural feature.

Among those who graced the opening on 29 August were Fresnedi, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez, Philippine Textile Council executives Louie Locsin, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., and Ruby Diaz Roa, Manila for Kids founder Ligaya Gasataya, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, City Councilors Alexson Diaz, Louie Arciaga, Paty Boncayao, Cornelio Martinez, Mamerto Sevilla Jr., Arlene Hilapo and Ting Niefes, and leaders of Zonta Alabang and the United Pentecostal Church.

“We invite every Muntinlupeño to come visit the new exhibit and immerse in Southeast Asia’s rich heritage and culture as depicted in textiles of the region,” Fresnedi said.

In Southeast Asia, traditional attire plays a significant role in society. Depicting tribal affiliation, social status and religion, one’s attire not only serves as ornamentation but also embodies the development and heritage of a nation and transforms an individual person into a bearer of tradition.

The exhibit, serving as an introduction to the countries that belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, showcases clothing traditions of each ASEAN member-country, highlights not only the remarkable craftsmanship and unique identity of each culture, and demonstrates the underlying commonalities between them.

The ASEAN costume exhibit will run until 10 October.