CEBU CITY — Cebuano fashion designer Dexter Alazas paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Governor and presented a one‑of‑a‑kind wearable art piece to Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro. The gown features a hand‑painted image of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, celebrating both local artistry and the province’s architectural heritage.
A Gift Woven with Heritage
The garment belongs to Alazas’s Cebu Wear – Destination by Design collection, which transforms iconic landmarks into fashion. The Capitol’s neoclassical façade, designed by Juan M. Arellano and inaugurated in 1938, now appears on hand‑loomed hablon fabric from Argao. Each brushstroke on the gown tells a story of place and pride.
The technique, called Mano‑Mano, pairs fine artists with traditional weavers. The result is a functional piece of art that can be worn on any occasion, bridging the gap between museum exhibits and everyday life. Governor Baricuatro, a known advocate for local culture, received the piece as a symbol of Cebu’s creative renaissance.
Fashion as a Tourism Magnet
Events like this elevate Cebu’s profile as more than a beach destination. Tourists drawn to heritage architecture can now see the Capitol immortalized in textiles, creating a deeper connection between place and product. Alazas’s work positions the province as a hub where history, craftsmanship, and contemporary design converge.
The Cebu Wear campaign encourages locals and visitors alike to wear at least one locally made statement piece. This movement drives demand for handwoven fabrics and supports the livelihoods of artisans in rural communities. Every gown or barong sold is an investment in the survival of traditional weaving.
A Capitol Reimagined on Fabric
The hand‑painted depiction of the Capitol is remarkably detailed, capturing the building’s symmetrical columns and grand central dome. The artist worked directly on the structured hablon, a fabric that was once on the brink of disappearing from Cebu’s cultural landscape. Today, thanks to revival efforts, Argao’s weavers are thriving again.
The gown is both a celebration of the seat of government and a tribute to the hands that built and now sustain Cebuano culture. By bringing the Capitol to life on wearable fabric, Alazas reminds every viewer that heritage is not trapped in stone—it moves, breathes, and can be worn with pride.
The Craftsman Behind the Vision
Dexter Alazas has long championed local textiles and their integration into high fashion. He founded HABLONUEVO and Amano Craft Creations, two enterprises that fuse traditional weaving with modern design. His advocacy has been instrumental in reviving the hablon industry and putting Cebuano fashion on the global map.
His Mano‑Mano exhibits have elevated local weaving to museum‑quality wearable art. By collaborating with visual artists, he ensures that each piece is unique and unrepeatable. The gown presented to Governor Baricuatro is a product of that philosophy—a singular masterpiece that captures a singular place.
A Shared Vision for Cebuano Excellence
The courtesy visit was facilitated by Honorary Consul General Michael Acebedo Lopez, a consistent supporter of local cultural initiatives. The meeting between designer and governor underscores a shared commitment to positioning Cebu as a center of creativity. It signals to the tourism and fashion industries that the provincial government values heritage‑driven innovation.
Governor Baricuatro, who has championed arts and culture since taking office, sees the partnership with local designers as essential to community development. The wearable art piece will serve as an ambassador for Cebuano talent, showcasing the province’s unique identity to the world.
