Convergence: How Patis Tesoro turned piña into the ‘fabric of forever’

For Tesoro, creating a Filipiniana is not simply making a garment—it’s crafting a piece of the nation’s soul.

In a world where fashion trends come and go, legendary designer Patis Tesoro continues to champion the timeless piña fabric and the enduring spirit of the Filipiniana. Known as one of the country’s strongest advocates for cultural preservation and sustainable fashion, Tesoro reminds us that Filipino craftsmanship is not just about beauty but also about identity, heritage, and the artistry of our people.

“It has to be forever for us to remain a country that has its identity. If we keep borrowing from the West and other influences, we’ll lose what makes us who we are. That’s why Filipiniana is forever,” Tesoro said with conviction.

For her, creating a Filipiniana is not just about making a garment—it’s a reflection of the nation’s soul. “It’s not just making a dress; it’s about craftsmanship,” she said. “The Filipiniana dress is all about borloloys, and borloloys is art. It’s like painting—it’s all of that. But we don’t see much of that today because it’s expensive, mostly because of labor.”

Fading traditional skills

The veteran designer laments how traditional skills that once defined Filipino couture are slowly fading. “In the old days, there was no such thing as expensive labor or labor laws. Today, we’ve lost many of our embroiderers. We no longer know how to do it, and we lost it because the experts have aged.”

Once regarded as a luxury fabric for life’s most important occasions—weddings, formal gatherings, even funerals—piña is now being reintroduced by Tesoro as a symbol of sustainable fashion. “We only wear piña now during important events because it’s a symbol of ‘I have arrived.’ But now, it’s also a symbol of sustainability because the next generation can inherit these pieces. That’s what makes piña timeless.”

Despite its high production cost, Tesoro finds creative ways to make piña more accessible without losing its soul. “Yes, it’s expensive because of the way it’s made. But if you’ve seen my fashion shows, I use small pieces of piña. Even if there’s just one triangulo of piña in your outfit—you have piña. You don’t need to wear the whole piece. What matters is you wear a part of it, and that’s important.”

Memory, legacy equals sustainability

For Tesoro, every thread of piña carries the story of many hands—from the farmers who cultivate the pineapple leaves to the weavers and artisans who transform them into fine cloth. “It helps the artists—not only the farmers and weavers, but also those who scrape the fibers. The culture of piña is alive because of them,” she said. “We Filipinos must never forget our roots; we must enrich our dresses.”

In the spirit of collaboration, radar Entertainment discovered that one way Tesoro ensures Filipinos never forget their roots is by lending her piña-made creations to film productions—a gesture that keeps the fabric visible and relevant in modern storytelling.

She believes preserving tradition means sharing it with the next generation. In her atelier, she welcomes young artists, students, and aspiring designers who seek to learn the art of Filipino fashion. “Let’s continue that. I know young people are interested. I have painters and students who come to me asking for work, and I see potential in them,” she added.

For Tesoro, being a designer is more than having a creative eye—it requires a profound understanding of technique and history. “A designer should have a sense of history. They should know how to cut and sew. Many designers depend on their costurera and cutter. But I know how to cut—I just don’t like to. I know how to fit, and I can tell right away what’s wrong with a dress. That’s couture,” she explained.

She admits that modern fashion’s “fast food” mentality has affected craftsmanship but remains hopeful that a new generation of Filipino designers will rediscover the value of patience and detail. “Our people, we just know how to dugtong ng dugtong—it’s in our nature. It’s something we inherit,” she said with pride.

For Patis Tesoro, sustainability is not just about materials—it’s about memory, legacy, and the art of never forgetting where we come from. Through every piña thread, she continues to weave a story that is proudly, enduringly, and beautifully Filipino. 

 

 

Once regarded as a luxury fabric for life’s most important occasions—weddings, formal gatherings, even funerals—piña is now being reintroduced by Patis Tesoro as a symbol of sustainable fashion.

 

 

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