The Glamor of “Cultural Threads Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of the ASEAN” Exhibit

More than 5 decades have passed since the founding of the ASEAN of which the Philippines was one of the founding members. Mabalacat City College, as a local college, recognizes the role it plays in educating the students, faculty, and administration, and the community on the shared history and cultures by the Philippines with other ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are: (1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region and (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Today, August 9, 2021, Mabalacat City College through the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), launched “Cultural Threads Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of the ASEAN”, a cultural exhibit showcasing Southeast Asian traditional attire and its significant societal role. Though different in design, craftsmanship, and materials, these clothing traditions demonstrate the underlying commonalities between each because, in diversity, we find unity. This is the ASEAN Community here in MCC. The exhibit will run until August 31, 2021.

During the opening ceremonies, guests were delighted with visually stimulating renditions of traditional dances complete with traditional garments from the Philippines performed by the MCC Cultural Dance Group.

The exhibit is no less than experiential. Complete with “Passports/Travel Passes” and “Immigration Officers”, the exhibit took the guests to a time and place where one can travel from one country to another safely again. From the Philippines, the exhibit took the guests across the region to witness traditional and vibrant garments from Cambodia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The guests also got a glimpse of the histories behind the garments and the countries from which they were from.

Mr. Zain, Central and North Luzon Regional Manager of Huawei Philippines, visited MCC and boasted that MCC truly deserves recognition for organizing such events like this. 

“The ASEAN Exhibit promoted not only different cultures but also united the rich, diverse and vivid history of friendship of every nation. I really appreciate MCC for organizing this event. It really gave an immense value of cultural appreciation”, Mr. Zain added.

Despite the difficult times we currently endure as the pandemic continues to impact and change our set of normals, MCC remains positive that ASEAN will triumph over challenges as it has done so in the past. MCC will continue to preserve and promote the ASEAN culture, literature, and arts through education.