THE LOWLY POLO BARONG, OR SHIRTLESS IN MARIKINA

Jun 4, '09 3:53 AM for everyone

The lowly “polo barong,” or shirtless in Marikina – I recently saw a photo of Mayor Jojo Binay and Jun Lozada seated together (Inquirer.net, June 04/09) and dressed in expensive-looking, immaculately (with apologies to Mama Mary) white “polo barong.” Needless to say, I was sufficiently impressed … with their fashion sense.  In case you haven’t noticed it yet, we may just have finally succeeded in adopting what may be generally accepted as our national attire, without any conscious, deliberate nationwide movement or legislation.  It’s called, what else, the “polo barong.” I’ve seen ordinary clerks, young, smart business executives, security personnel, lay ministers, government bureaucrats, and even some wealthy businessmen and high-profile politicians in the attire on a daily basis – and they all look good.  What’s more, it’s uniquely Filipino.

The polo barong is your great social leveler.  It’s practical (except for Baguio/Tagaytay weather), simple and unpretentious, inexpensive (unless it’s made of pure silk, linen, or pinya , with gold buttons), and does not smack of colonial mentality.  The only trouble is it doesn’t come with pockets, it crumples easily and wilts at the end of the day.  You cannot be seen wearing the same shirt again the next day.  At the end of a rough day, the person wearing it excuses his appearance as “the crumpled look” or “gusot mayaman,” i.e., he likes, he planned it that way.

Another justified criticism is that the polo barong looks too plain, too simple and soils easily.  It’s a far cry from the exotically colorful, popular “Hawaiian” polo shirt.  But what’s wrong with “plain and simple.”  Look at the simple, Scandinavian-style furniture which made “Ikea’s” world-famous.

I’m not rightly sure how it developed that lawyers may now show up in courtroom hearings wearing long-sleeved “barong Tagalog,” in lieu of the so-called “coat and tie.”  Regrettably, though, the polo barong is still unacceptable here. 

In the first place, most Filipinos have no notion of what should pass for “formal/business attire.”   I have attended quite a few weddings where the invitation insists on “Strictly Formal Attire” only to find the guests showing up in all manner and stages of atrocious if indecent fashion concepts.  Most Filipino men still think that any kind or color of coat (or “Americana”) will pass for “formal attire.”  Let’s not even talk about their choice of dress shirt and tie, good heavens.

It should also be noted that most of our great tailors in the past who must have learned their craft from the early Chinese and Americans, eventually settled in Baguio City where it was reasonable and practical for lawyers (and some wealthy fashion plates) to be garbed like their American colonizers.  Naturally, these tailors eventually vanished one by one without their children caring to continue in their father’s trade.  I still miss the old“Limpin’s” or “Lambino’s” signboards which used to be prominently displayed along Session Road, Baguio’s version of the Brooks Brothers – Haberdashers.

I believe our unique history, culture and climate should allow us to fashion our own uniquely Filipino manner of dressing, up or down. For instance, the black “toga” which the colonially-minded old Romans, the British, and the Americans adopted from the Hellenistic age, should be declared completely irrelevant, incongruous and out of place in Philippine setting.  While I’m not advocating that we show up in public wearing our version of our ancestors’ “bahag,” I believe we are fortunate the polo barong eventually evolved into what it looks now.  In other words, mukhang nakatsamba tayo dito and we should be grateful accordingly.

Speaking of colonial mentality, did you know, for instance, that the popular American President Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919) in his time would insist on wearing nothing but exquisitely-tailored suits made in England from 100% British virgin wool?  During the American regime, our own Filipino intelligencia were nattily clad in what may charitably be described as monkey-suits fashioned for the diminutive “indios.” Monkey see, monkey do.

President Marcos in his time tried to popularize what became known as the “shirt-jak.”  Now, the only ones who will be caught dead in it are the bus drivers and conductors of the Victory Liner. For a while, too, it became rather fashionable for some of our Makati executives to show up in all sorts of bush jackets or military-looking suits.  Thank goodness those too seem to have vanished with the Marcos era.  President Ramos must have thought he looked rather cool wearing rolled up long-sleeved barongs at cabinet meetings.

Where you will still find vestiges of colonial mentality would be the dress code required in local golf courses and badminton tournaments.  Collarless sport shirts are still disallowed, as are jeans, for goodness’ sake, a rule that must have been imposed by our American colonizers.  Any other indecent attire is of course acceptable.  To begin with, those silly games are your best evidences of colonial mentality.  We can’t even manufacture nor have the basic technology to produce our own golf or badminton equipment. Why can’t we settle for “sipa?”

There’s an old Spanish saying “el habito no hace monje” – or, loosely, clothes do not make the man.  On the other hand, others will insist that you are what you wear.  In this regard, Vatican II seems to have created a distinct divide among our own local clergy and the religious.  Some now dress (and act) like your average sinner, while other more conservative groups still insist on dressing like and getting the treatment accorded kings and princesses in the Middle (or Dark) Ages.

Mark Twain who never finished college was so proud of his having been conferred a Doctorate in Literature (honoris causa) he continued to walk around thereafter in full doctorate regalia insisting: “Clothes do make the man.  Naked people have little or no influence in society.”  There must be a middle ground here somewhere.

Me, I’d rather make my statement in writing, not in my habiliments. After all, I was taught early on not to judge a book by its cover.

Bayani Fernando (or BF), the best and greatest local executive I have ever seen in my lifetime, as usual seems to have gotten it right.  “Magbihis ng ANGKOP.”  One of the many signages he ordered to be installed all over Marikina.  You could get arrested for walking around shirtless in Marikina.  You will be refused entry at the local City Hall if you show up in shorts and slippers. Of course, the good Mayor should be gently reminded that there is a world of a difference between the “Bermuda” or walking shorts (Docker’s khakis or chinoys, worn by Australian police in the summer) and some basketball or cycling shorts which are downright indecent.  But then again, the basic principle at law seems to be: “de minimis non curat lex.”  The law (and the Mayor) cannot be bothered with details.

The operative word is “angkop.”  It means “appropriate,” “proper,” “suitable.”  If you need to ask what that is, you had better see the Mayor.  I doubt that it means your “Sunday best” though.  To be sure, it should be relevant, something we can all identify with, having some local color, albeit plain.  Come to think of it, maybe the lowly, white polo barong best describes the average Juan de la Cruz – simple, plain, unspectacular… with a heart as pure as the driven snow.- Bro. James D. Lansang, Marikina City.

reply

reply romesaluyot wrote on Jun 4, '09 The Polo Barong has come a long way. I bought one from San Antonio, Texas recently from a Filipino Church, with the Nipa Hut embroidered in front that cost a hundred. I thought it should be "angkop" for a wedding come October. I also notice that the Latino community wear something similar in their social gatherings which always reminds me of home. We must really be of the same roots, fashionwise. The Barong is really a way of making a Filipino statement without saying a word.

reply pinoynoir wrote on Jun 4, '09 A good write and a fantastic read. You, sir, are hilarious. I'll have to google what a "polo barong" looks like now.

reply jeemsdee wrote on Jun 4, '09, edited on Jun 4, '09 Kuya ROME, you are right, the polo barong has indeed come a long way. Nowadays, any decent mall here displays hundreds of exquisitely tailored RTW polo barongs of various styles and materials and costing less than half the price you paid in Sn Antonio. I doubt though that it's "angkop" for a wedding. Besides, by October the autumn chill may have already set in. I agree we do have a lot in common with the Latinos. I've seen how they live in Tijuana (magulo) and their bottled (LPG) gas also reminded me of home. Good to hear frm you, as always. rgards

reply jeemsdee wrote on Jun 4, '09 Tnx, SAM, for you kind remarks. I suggest you also try looking up PDI's websitehttp://www.Inquirer.net and search for that Binay/Lozada foto I was referring to. They really looked good in their polo barongs. tnx agn. ciao

reply pcsokaka wrote on Jun 6, '09, edited on Jun 6, '09 Alam mo, Kuya, ang mga artikulo mo, dapat isa-libro. Tiyak ko, ang mambabasa mo, tiyak matututo. Sino mang makakabasa ng mga panulat mo may pakinabang na mapupulot sa mga ito. May variety na, di matatawarang quality pa. Malaman, malalim, magaling ang pagkakahabi ng bawat mong hinabi, ng lahat mong hinabi at hinahabi. At di iyong tipong naghahabilin. Nanghihimas ng puso't isipan nagpapasigla at nagpapayabong ng katauhan. Kung baga, wala ka ng hahanapin pa kundi umasa at umasam-asam na sa pagbukas muli ng multiply may bago na namang ibabahagi at iaalay sa bawat kaluluwang makakatuklas sa mapa ng Angeland.

reply jeemsdee wrote on Jun 6, '09 Salamat, maraming salamat, Kuya KAKA, nakakataba ng puso ang inyong pagpuri. Sa totoo lang, napakaraming mga hindi kanais-nais o nakakalito lamang ang maraming matatagpuan sa Internet. Kaya sinisikap kong pagbutihin ang munti kong gustong ibahagi sa ating mga kapatid. Sana patuloy natin tangkilikin itong makabagong medium na ito.

reply resumus wrote on Jun 6, '09 jeemsdee said There’s an old Spanish saying “el habito no hace monje” – or, loosely, clothes do not make the man. On the other hand, others will insist that you are what you wear.  Lately, a line has been popping up my head. It sounds Spanish but, honestly, I’m not sure. It says, “El video, por dios por santo, escandaloso”. Does this line mean we are what we don’t wear, too. . . . . . in video? How do we reconcile it with the statement you attributed to Mark Twain “. . .Naked people have little or no influence in society.” Nagkagulo nga, eh. . . hasta el senado.

reply jeemsdee wrote on Jun 6, '09 Kuya RENE, tnx for your usual pithy if clever comments. You always manage to put in some other interesting aspects of the subject matter at hand. I always look forward to your views which never fail to enrich and enhance whatever is being discussed, or not. tnx agn. rgards

reply paga65 wrote on Jun 7, '09 Kuya, another gem of an essay. Your recent birthday augurs a fresh wave of invigorating wisdom and wit. In a most unpejorative sense you are going back not to a second but to a real and enviable childhood nay childlike spirit, which even Christ said is our desirable goal.

reply jeemsdee wrote on Jun 7, '09 Tnx, Kuya FABS, gud to hear frm the great globetrotter. In my old age and almost too late I have learned not to take things too seriously. If you do, or if you are, you're taken to the ICU where the bill is almost certain to kill you. I've taken a cue frm the movie producers. The top 10 grossers of all time are: Spiderman, Shrek, Transformers, Pirates of the Carribbean, Harry Potter, Ratatouille, The Simpsons - all pure figments of the imagination. Not far behind, to be sure, would be your favorite - Star Trek. Our best paid individuals are singers, boxers, football, basketball, baseball players, movie stars, comedians, and of course politicians. They have become our icons and idols. They are our modern day Achilles, Jupiter, Zeus, Apollo, and so many other strange gods. We begrudge it when the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies try to give themselves some hefty salaries and bonuses, then blame them for their companies' bankruptcy. It's a crazy world... and wehad better learn to act accordingly. How else can you explain that 15% of the electorate will still insist on voting for ERAP while only 0.3% will choose BF? Just asking ...

reply jgl627 wrote on Sep 2, '09 It's always great to find something to read about my grandpa's business, the Limpin's tailoring shop. Although the shop is no longer there, it is the memories you mention that keep it alive. My late uncle Freddie continued the tailoring after my grandpa Antonio Sr. passed away in 1997. Thanks for mentioning the family shop in your blog.

reply dvovirtualtech wrote on Dec 19, '10 nice read... anyway just your opinion... if you're a guest in a wedding, a gusot-mayaman will do fine so as long as you're not part of the entourage right? i mean... i know gusot-mayaman should be for office (not the polyester uniform ones) and jusi/pina for formal wear... but if you're just a plain guest... should you really wear a jusi/pina barong..? i think it's a bit impractical and it can be a bit itchy compared to a gusot-mayaman what do you think?