Patis Tesoro comes home to Iloilo

Philippine fashion’s grande dame, Patis Tesoro, has come full circle with Filipiniana is Forever, a dazzling exhibit at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILMOCA).

The show is more than a retrospective—it’s a homecoming. As Tesoro herself put it, “I grew up here. My love for nature, for the hand-made, for embroidery—all of that started in Iloilo.” She laughingly reminisced, “I was very naughty in kindergarten and my aunt, Mo. Paz Pamintuan (eldest half sister of my father, Ramon) was the Mother Superior of Iloilo Assumption, and she tied me to a chair with her smelly apron to discipline me.” 

Born of local roots and refined through decades of national acclaim, Tesoro’s showcase is both personal and profound. Vintage ternos, barongs, and gowns—many lent by longtime clients and friends—fill the gallery space in a vibrant tribute to traditional Filipino craftsmanship.

Tesoro, known as much for her flamboyant fashion as for her wit, didn’t disappoint during her visit. “I flew in the day after dialysis at 4 a.m. and flew out in the early morning,” she quipped over lunch. “I may be fragile like piña, but I’m not retiring yet—especially with guapo male models walking the runway for my upcoming show in Manila!”

At 75 years old, with an extraordinary energy that puts many of us to shame, Tesoro continues to be a fierce advocate for preserving Philippine textiles. “We’re probably the only country still doing hand embroidery on piña and abaca,” she said during her speech. “If we lose that, we lose our identity.” She warns, though, not to take it too far: “My only advice? Don’t get buried in piña. That’s where I draw the line.”

The ILMOCA exhibit included a Filipiniana fashion show followed by works from Ilonggo designers—a fitting tribute to a woman who has helped countless artists find their voice. Tesoro emphasized creativity and sustainability, encouraging younger generations to repurpose old piña. “Make something new out of your mom’s or grandmother’s old gown or your dad’s barong. Pache-pache lang ‘yan. Our ancestors did it!”