Craft with purpose, create with heart

Patis Tesoro partners with Zonta Club of Alabang for Filipiniana is Forever' benefit show

- JESSICA PAG-IWAYAN

For over five decades, Patis Tesoro has stood as the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion—a cultural guardian whose needle and thread have stitched together history, heritage, and identity.

Beyond her mastery of the baro't saya and piña fabric, she remains a teacher at heart—one determined to pass on her love for Filipino craftsmanship to a new generation of artisans.

On Nov. 4, 2025, she takes the spotlight once again through “Filipiniana is Forever,” a 100-piece benefit fashion show presented by the Zonta Club of Alabang at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City. The event celebrates not just her artistry but also her advocacy—empowering women and preserving traditional crafts, all while raising funds for Zonta's charitable programs.

During the press launch of her show on Oct. 8, 2025, at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza in Makati City, Patis spoke about preserving Filipino cultural identity through clothing, sharing advice for the next generation of designers.

What does it take to be a good designer?

Known for reviving the piña fabric in the 1980s and championing natural dyes and traditional embroidery, Patis is deeply concerned about the decline of handmade traditions in the age of fast fashion.

"We've lost it," she says candidly. "How to embroider, how to paint, how to put the dress together. It's the age of factories everything is fast."