Tom Choy

Vancouver, British Columbia

Don Davis, Member of Canadian Parliament(MP) owns at least 4 Barong Tagalogs. His Filipiniana collection boasts of some bright colours like orange and neon blue. His riding has a big Filipino Canadian component. 

I will not be surprised to see Prime Minister Justine Trudeau to don a Barong soon, considering his closeness to the Filipino community in Canada, particularly Vancouver. And still will not be surprised Mama Renee Salud, the Ambassador of Philippine Fashion, to design the royal Barong for PM Trudeau made of Philippine indigenous fabric.

Tapestry, A Neo Ethnic Fashion Showcase was recently presented by Mama Renee in the trendy and high end Pipe Shop, a 9300 square feet restored heritage building in the waterfront of North Vancouver, BC at the Lonsdale Quay. This was hosted by the United Filipino Community  Association of BC (UFCA BC). The Department of Philippine Tourism and Tribu Productions of Cliff Belgica also supported the event.

Mama Salud has been a permanent fixture in the Philippine fashion scene for over 4 decades. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. He taps the network of indigenous weavers like the Magindanaons who have a native fabric called inaul. Salud also taps abaca and pina fibers to create his Filipiniana distinct collections. 

He presented gowns and Barong Tagalogs with fabrics and inspirations from different places in the Philippines like Cordillera, Bicol, Calabarzon, Visayas, Mindanao. He did in addition a Special Portion and wedding collections. The models are Filipina beauty title holders from the Philippines and professional models from Canada.

The event was sold out to an audience who looked inspired to try and wear Filipiniana attire on their daily routine and special occasions in North America. Mama Renee has come a long way to making Pinoy attire chic and world class very soon.