CEBU CITY — The Mall at NUSTAR Cebu transforms into a vibrant celebration of history and identity from August 29 to 31, 2026. HANDURAWAN, a three-day showcase, invites everyone to wear Cebuano stories, remember ancestral roots, and experience the island's creative soul in full color.
A Gathering That Honors the Past
The event takes its name from the Cebuano word “handurawan,” which evokes memories, imagination, and reflection. Organizers deliberately chose the word to frame fashion and art as living archives. Each activity is designed to connect contemporary expression with stories passed down through generations, making heritage feel immediate and personal.
The celebration aligns with National History Month and Cebu City Arts Month, giving the event a strong institutional and cultural anchor. Presented by ADMIRE Models Philippines and the Wear Cebu Collective, the showcase brings together designers, artisans, writers, performers, and cultural advocates. The collaboration highlights how Cebu’s creative community continues to reinterpret tradition without losing its soul.
Maria Cacao Storytelling Opens the Celebration
The first day begins with an immersive storytelling session featuring Raquel T. Choa, often called Cebu’s Chocolate Queen. Choa will retell the legend of Maria Cacao, the mountain diwata of Cebuano folklore who sailed golden cacao pods down the river. Her rendition connects the beloved myth to the enduring tradition of Cebuano sikwate, warm chocolate crafted from local cacao.
The session transforms the mall atrium into a space of wonder, where oral tradition becomes theater. Choa’s storytelling roots the entire event in Cebu’s highland folklore and agricultural heritage. Attendees will not only hear a tale but also taste the living culture behind it.
Out of Parian Book Signing Elevates Local Literature
On August 30, author Gavin Sanson Bagares presents “Out of Parian,” a collection of essays on Cebuano heritage published by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. The book explores the legacy, social enigmas, and historic families of Cebu’s Parian district. His reading and signing bring scholarly depth to the celebration.
The Parian district remains one of Cebu’s most storied areas, a place where Chinese, Spanish, and Cebuano influences intertwined for centuries. Bagares’s work reminds readers that heritage is not only visual but also written. His session invites participants to slow down and encounter history through carefully crafted prose.
Folklore Fashion Fest Reimagines Myths Through Couture
The final day crescendos into a wearable art runway show titled Folklore Fashion Fest. Curated by Dexter Z. Alazas, the competition challenges emerging designers to translate Philippine myths and legends into modern fashion. Models embody diwata, sirena, and other legendary beings, creating a spectacle that is both theatrical and deeply cultural.
The fashion show turns the mall into a living gallery where mythical creatures stride alongside contemporary audiences. Handwoven textiles like hablon find their place beside innovative silhouettes, proving that tradition can inspire high fashion. The event showcases Cebu’s capacity to produce world-class creative work rooted in local identity.
Cebu Wear Pop-Up: Supporting Homegrown Brands
Beyond the main stage, the HANDURAWAN pop-up at Level 2 gathers Cebuano brands in one curated marketplace. Featured participants include AMANO Craft Creations, VIRTUCIO Accessories, URAN Footwear, Shell Flower Creations, and Fashion Flora. Each brand brings a distinct perspective, from handcrafted jewelry to contemporary footwear.
The pop-up also features event partners like The Chocolate Chamber, Café Laguna, Casa Gorordo Museum Shop, and Cebu Mango Rum. This mix of fashion, food, and cultural institutions makes the event a holistic celebration of Cebuano lifestyle. Visitors can shop, taste, and learn in a single visit.
Celebrate Cebu, Wear Cebu, Support Cebu
HANDURAWAN is more than an exhibition; it is a movement to keep Cebuano creativity alive and economically sustainable. The event encourages everyone—fashion lovers, culture enthusiasts, foodies, and families—to discover local creations. Each purchase supports a homegrown enterprise and honors the hands that keep tradition moving forward.
As the three-day celebration unfolds, Cebu reminds the world that heritage is not locked in museums. It is worn, tasted, read, and retold. HANDURAWAN invites everyone to come remember the roots, wear the story, and celebrate Cebu.
