Heritage 101 with Mita Rufino
These masterpieces have stood the test of time and been immortalized by the beauty of excellent craftsmanship, masterful, intricate detailing and distinct style.
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These masterpieces have stood the test of time and been immortalized by the beauty of excellent craftsmanship, masterful, intricate detailing and distinct style.
One of her favorites. Modern Kimona and malong ensembles in purple Indian sari material with gold trim and machine embroidered flowers.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Swiss cotton Maria Clara, with machine embroidered floral design to match cotton checkered serpentina. White organza tapis in cadineta and floral design machine embroidery.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Terno in Indian Sari material with handpainted flowers.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Baby pink striped chiffon soft baro and serpentina with light floral machine embroidery.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Indian inspired four-piece ensemble with light beading and embellishment. Reminiscent of Patis’ creations for Ayen Munji’s 1999 grand musical production of Rama at Sita for which Patis was costume designer.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Modern Baro’t Saya in Indian Sari material and brocade, hand embroidered and beaded with garden designs.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
The museum piece exhibited in Malaysia. Delicate full callado or open work barong, tapis and serpentina saya with black hand embroidery panels and pastel flowers. One of the best in Mrs. Rufino’s collection.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Hand-embroidered suksuk Maria Clara with pink silk tapis, embellished with machine embroidered white tulle, piña suksuk serpentina also with machine embroidered white tulle.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
Mita Rufino, Helen Ong and Maritess Pineda.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
The first Patis creation for Mita Rufino in 1984. Handwoven abaca Baro and Panuelo with machine embroidered tangerine floral appliqués, handwoven checkered Patadyong serpentina in red, blue and yellow, lace tapia adorned with machine embroidered flowers.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
The illustrious regal Mita Rufino in a Patis Tesoro
Photo by: Rupert Jacinto
PATIS Tesoro with Mita Rufino.
Photo by: Cinematic Studio Manila
The museum piece exhibited in Malaysia. Delicate full callado or open work barong, tapis and serpentina saya with black hand embroidery panels and pastel flowers. One of the best in Mrs. Rufino’s collection.Heritage is the soul of a nation — without it, we are nothing. It is a testament of who we are, our identity as a people. One of the country’s custodians is the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI). Headed by the illustrious and notable Mita Rufino, it is a non-profit organization that mounts month-long celebrations yearly in May. FHFI showcases performance and visual arts exhibitions, culinary feasts and cultural activities designed to spread awareness and reach a wide audience.
This year it has partnered with Artefino to celebrate National Heritage Month with a fundraising cultural and fashion show called “PAMANA: Woven Legacies in Fashion & Dance” held last 29 May at the Manila Polo Club, Makati City. The event was a breathtaking showcase of the arts through the creations of the country’s premiere fashion designers, brands and outstanding performances by Danspace Ballet School and the University of the East Silanganan Dance Troupe.
The highlight of the show was the private collection of bespoke Patis Tesoro gowns created over the last three decades. Armita B. Rufino started her collection in the ’80s during her time as the vice president of the Cultural Center of Philippines and later in the ’90s during her husband’s time as District Governor of Rotary International and over the last 20 years for various FHFI events. These masterpieces have stood the test of time and been immortalized by the beauty of excellent craftsmanship, masterful intricate detailing and distinct style. It is a precious and priceless collective of heritage worn in the show by women of all ages. New.Now.Next interviews Rufino on Patis, heritage and fashion.
NNN: Why Patis Tesoro?
MR: I like her designs and it conforms to my taste.
NNN: How long have you been collecting her pieces? How many pieces do you think you have?
MR: Since 1984. Last count, I think I have around 26 pieces.
NNN: What about Patis’ design do you like the most?
MR: There’s one that I really like that even Malaysia borrowed it and it was shown in their museum. We were there for a Habi event. (This was the finale dress in the Panama show.)
NNN: She seems to be a master colorist; what favors your eyes and why?
MR: She has very, very good taste in mixing colors. Sometimes I would say, wow it’s not a common combination but she can do it.
NNN: What’s your first piece? What did you have it made for, what occasion?
MR: I asked her to do something for me and she made two pairs, two sets. One is a kimona (transparent piece of clothing made of pineapple fiber) but both had checkered skirts (patadyong or printed check skirt) .
NNN: The most delicate piece you own?
MR: The most delicate piece is the finale dress in the Pamana show because it’s really all made of callado (distinctive feature of our Barong Tagalog and well known Lumban style of embroidery also known as Burdang Lumban).
NNN: Why did you decide to include her in the heritage show? What is her relevance?
MR: Patis, for me, is one of the main designers for heritage. She’s been using since before true Filipino attire and designs. She has shown us how it can be done and to move forward creates modern Filipiniana. She’s now into recycling; she loves using recycled fabrics and putting them together.
NNN: Print on print has been the designer’s signature, from stripes to checks to florals and polka dots. What’s your favorite?
MR: My favorite is one polka dot print on piña which she did for me.
NNN: Do you think Patis should be named national artist? If yes, on what merits?
MR: I think so. She truly deserves it. She is a designer who doesn’t think of herself but also helps other designers. She continues her advocacy in trying to make Filipino designers use Filipino fabrics that can and should be followed.
