Weaving the Kalinga soul, the Filipino soul, with our threads

There is something meaningful about returning to a space that once held an important chapter for your brand.

This May, Bagoyan returns to Power Plant Mall in Rockwell with ”Woven Intersections,” a presentation shaped by the meeting of tradition and modern dressing, structure and softness, heritage and everyday life.

As both the founder of Bagoyan and an IKalinga, I have always carried a deep sense of responsibility toward the weaves and the stories they hold. For me, these textiles are not simply materials used for fashion. They carry memory, identity, and generations of craftsmanship. Through Bagoyan, my goal has always been to present them in a way that feels respectful, evolving, and relevant to the present generation.

The collection was also shaped by a recent trip to Paris, where I found inspiration in quiet details, the structure of tailoring, muted interiors, old bookstores, textures, and the way timeless fashion naturally becomes part of everyday life. Coming from Kalinga and seeing those influences abroad made me reflect even more on how Filipino heritage can confidently exist in contemporary spaces without losing its soul. The Kalinga soul, the Filipino soul.

“Woven Intersections” reflects that idea through pieces that combine handwoven textiles with tailoring, lighter fabrics, and softer silhouettes designed for modern everyday wear. The collection speaks about intersections in many forms, the meeting of heritage and contemporary design, artisans and wearers, tradition and movement.

Beyond the garments, one of the journeys closest to my heart has been helping push for the establishment of the weaving center in Mabilong, Kalinga, with the full support of Sen. Loren Legarda which was inaugurated last October 2025. As someone who comes from Kalinga, it means a great deal to see spaces created where weaving traditions can continue, and where communities are supported not only culturally, but through livelihood and continuity as well.

The month-long pop-up at Rockwell throughout May at R2 level of Power Plant Mall is designed to feel warm, calm, and intimate—a space where people can slow down and connect not only with the garments, but with the stories behind them. More than a retail space, I wanted it to feel like an intersection itself: between culture and modernity, memory and movement, home and discovery.

And perhaps that is what I continue to hope for through Bagoyan: that our weaves are not only remembered, but lived with. That they continue to move through generations, through spaces, and through people with care, dignity, and quiet pride.