MALOLOS CITY – Ternos and Barong Tagalog created by about 20 local designers took centerstage during this year’s “Bulaklakan sa Bulacan.”
Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) Tourism Division Head Limuel Jan Lobederio said the activity aims to highlight the quality of the province’s fashion industry.
“This is beyond a fashion show but an effort to preserve the tradition while promoting this dimension of Creative Industry in Bulacan,” he emphasized.
PHACTO is seeking the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support this sector through its Malikhaing Pinoy Program under Republic Act 11904, otherwise known as the Philippine Creative Industry Development Act.
DTI Bulacan Officer-in-Charge Cristina Valenzuela said local initiatives such as the “Bulaklakan sa Bulacan” is an opportunity to showcase locally designed dresses such as Ternos and Barong Tagalog.
“We are eyeing to expand our CIRCA or the Creative Industries of Region 3 Community Assembly by including those in the fashion industry,” she furthered.
PHACTO started the indoor tradition in 2011 as “Santa Cruzan”, being held in various malls within the city of Malolos.
In 2016, the annual activity was rebranded into the “Bulaklakan sa Bulacan” in honor of the Virgin Mary and to highlight the role of Bulacan as the site of the first ever “Flores de Maria.”
Historical records obtained from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines showed that this tradition started in 1854 following the issuance of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX.
This devotion reached the Philippines when a Filipino priest, Msgr. Mariano Sevilla, translated “Flores de Maria” in the Filipino language and started to flourish in Bulakan town in 1867. (CLJD/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)