‘Wear your own & be proud of it’
Fashion makes a lot of sense when it empowers people, sustains livelihoods and keeps a country’s cultural heritage alive.
The welfare of local weavers, artisans and designers are highlighted in every staging of the Katutubo Pop-up Market, a fashion undertaking spearheaded by Mons Romulo in 2016 that highlights everything about the Filipiniana and the Filipino.
“We started Katutubo Pop-up Market to showcase the beauty of our handwoven fabrics and Filipino designs. Our aim is to keep our culture alive and ensure it continues for generations to come. We want the next generation to know, appreciate and take pride in our heritage,” Mons said at the recent four-day Katutubo Pop-up Market.
Because it’s a pop-up enterprise, Katutubo will hold its ninth and final operation for this year on Nov. 26 to 29 at the basement of Bench Tower on the 30th street of BGC.
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For Mons, it is a feat to hold Katutubo nine times this year. “We started with a once-a-year pop-up market. The it became twice, thrice. Now— with a pop-up market each in February, March, May, June, August, September, October; and twice in November—we’re doing it nine times a year,” she said.
From 11 participating merchants when it started, Katutubo now has 70 merchants.
“We hold monthly pop-ups not only to promote local products but also to provide steady work for our artisans, weavers and designers. If we held events only two or three times a year, it might not be enough for them to support their families.
“We want to help sustain their livelihoods so they can continue their craft instead of having to seek other work or leave the country for better opportunities,” Mons added.
Katutubo Pop-up Market being Mons’ brainchild is not without the “help of Ben Chan (of Bench).”
“Big thanks to Ben Chan because we have been doing Katutubo in partnership with Bench. Ben provides the place and he leaves it all up to me to run it. He also mentors me. He mentors me when it comes to the business side of Katutubo, dealing with people and designers, pricing, marketing side, putting people together, among others,” Mons said, adding that some merchants of Katutubo are winners and participants in the Bench Terno Con and Bench Fashion Week.
“We always encourage up-and-coming designers to also join Katutubo,” she said.
The inspiration to bring Katutubo to the fore took place in those days when Mons would join her brother Roman Romulo to the House of Representatives. Roman, congressman of Pasig City, was still single at the time and Mons would be his representative in the endeavors of the congressional spouses.
“In those days when I would go to Congress, I’d see the ladies wearing beautiful Filipiniana tops and clothes, and it would be from their city or their town. Then I started wearing it and would get complimented.
“Before, when you’re wearing Filipiniana, either you are a government official, a government employee or a public school teacher. But now, Filipiniana is worn by every Filipino. Wear your own and be proud of it,” Mons said.
Adante Leyesa’s bag with hand sewn pink roses. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Iris Ceneta of Habi, using Albay’s natural fiber. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Patika’s cutlery set with colored blue beads wrapped around the handles. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Acrylic trays by Pinta with artist Celine Enriquez’s paintings. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Adante Leyesa’s bag with hand sewn pink roses. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Iris Ceneta of Habi, using Albay’s natural fiber. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Patika’s cutlery set with colored blue beads wrapped around the handles. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
Acrylic trays by Pinta with artist Celine Enriquez’s paintings. Photo courtesy of the Katutubo Pop-up Market
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Who wouldn’t be proud of the fashion finds at Katutubo when every piece at the pop-up market is a labor of love and a demonstration of the artistry of the Filipino soul?
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