Negros Oriental’s rich weaving traditions have gained national recognition as local fashion designer Dan Duran won the grand prize in the Traje de Mestiza category of the Sining ng Ba’ag: Subaraw Philippine Fashion Design Competition. Held on November 7, 2026, at Robinsons Puerto Princesa in Palawan, the competition was part of the annual Subaraw Biodiversity Festival. Duran’s winning creation highlighted the beauty of indigenous textiles while showing how traditional materials can find a place in contemporary Filipino fashion.
Bringing Traditional Weaving Into Modern Fashion
For his winning design, Duran combined details inspired by Ba’ag, a traditional bark cloth made by the Batak Indigenous community of Palawan, with pinakang nga sinamay, a traditional abaca fabric woven using a wooden mallet. By bringing these materials together, he created a design that celebrates the country’s diverse cultural heritage while exploring new possibilities in Filipino fashion. The use of pinakang nga sinamay also brought attention to a traditional weaving practice from Negros Oriental. Duran sourced the rare textile directly from Minyang Waro, recognized in the announcement as the province’s oldest and last remaining pinakang artisan. His decision to feature the material helped introduce more people to a local craft that deserves continued appreciation and preservation.
Preserving Negros Oriental’s Cultural Heritage
Duran emphasized the importance of experimenting with indigenous textiles and encouraging more designers to work with traditional materials. He explained that the unique qualities of the weave, including its sculptural possibilities, make it suitable for creative fashion designs. He also hopes that using these materials will help more people recognize their value and ensure that traditional weaving practices remain part of the country’s cultural identity.
His winning piece demonstrates how fashion can serve as a platform for preserving heritage. By incorporating locally made textiles into modern clothing, designers can help sustain traditional craftsmanship while giving indigenous materials new opportunities to be appreciated by wider audiences.
A National Recognition for Local Craftsmanship
Duran’s latest achievement builds on his continuing efforts to showcase Negros Oriental’s traditional textiles. In January 2026, he presented a camisa blouse with terno sleeves and a panuelo featuring pinakang nga sinamay at the National Museum of the Philippines – Dumaguete. His recent victory further supports the museum’s ongoing research and efforts to highlight the province’s traditional abaca weaving.
