Jaggy Glarino: That edgy look beyond Lake Sebu
Jaggy Glarino gave us a glimpse into the future of Filipiniana when he sent down a terno with a fully beaded tapis down the “TernoCon: Kasarinlan, Kultura, Kasuotan” runway in the new Museo de Galeon in SM Mall of Asia.
That we have now integrated the Philippine national dress into our wardrobes is only the beginning. Letting a new generation of designers innovate with our rich textile heritage is the next step. Glarino, short of being canonized by TernoCon artistic director Gino Gonzales as one of the strongest designers of his generation, is perfect for the task.
The nurse-turned-designer from GenSan made a name for himself with his signature blown-up solihiya and contemporary takes on Pinoy pop culture, but Gonzales knew he could push him harder. The challenge? To represent his Mindanao roots. In typical Glarino fashion, he took it upon himself to do something that hasn’t been done before in his collection “Lemlunay.”
Glarino admits he used to design intuitively. “In this collection,” he says, “I had women in mind—women who resonate with my unique fashion language and share my passion for intricate craftsmanship and artistry.”
Gonzales proudly describes Glarino as “matigas ulo; the more you say hindi pwede, the more na gagawan niya ng solusyon. Sometimes it’s very successful, sometimes it’s a failure, but he’s satisfied na sinubukan niya.” Quoting the stylist Noel Manapat with a laugh, he adds, “Pinahirapan niya sarili niya.”
With support from Mana Mindanao through Dante Mana, Glarino inspired a first in T’boli history: the T’nalak pattern bangala is interpreted into a fabric handmade completely out of glass beads, beaded by five T’boli women. The fragility of glass beads would make any other designer hesitate, but not Glarino, who even drapes it so fluidly as a tapis.
Jaggy Glarino presents “Lemlunay,” a collection that draws on the rich cultural heritage of Mindanao.
Jaggy Glarino presents “Lemlunay,” a collection that draws on the rich cultural heritage of Mindanao.
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With the help of mentor Ivarluski Aseron, Glarino expounded on his signature weaves, blowing up solihiya with life-size lotus flowers just like those that adorn Lake Sebu at sunrise. The edges of looks in crocheted gold mesh, styled by Manapat with golden Arnel Papa jewelry, have been allowed to fray to showcase its handmade nature. This collaboration between designer and artisans has me excited for what’s next for Filipiniana.