TelaHISTORIA Commands the Runway in a Powerful Tribute to Filipino Identity An evening of heritage, craftsmanship, and creative defiance
Meme Borja - International News Correspondent 
T’boli tribe fabric makers alongside Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office -Taytay,Rizal Focal Person Cristina ‘Chin’ Gonzales and myself.
Newport Resorts World, Manila, Philippines — August 1, 2025
In an unforgettable display of artistry and cultural pride, the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) unleashed TelaHISTORIA: The Runway Story of Filipino Fabrics on August 1 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila — a commanding reminder that Filipino fashion is more than just style. It is legacy. It is identity. It is power.
Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook
Mayor Allan De Leon, Councilor/Actress Cai Cortez, and key sponsors of TelaHistoria.
Derived from the Spanish words tela (fabric) and historia (history), TelaHISTORIA was a runway revolution — a celebration of indigenous craftsmanship and a bold reassertion of the Filipino story told through textiles and design. Each garment carried more than threads and embellishments. It carried the weight of generations, the voice of forgotten traditions, and the vision of a reawakened nation.
Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook
Mayor Allan De Leon, Councilor/Actress Cai Cortez, and key sponsors of TelaHistoria.
A standout moment came with the dramatic presentation of Tinnenun, the handwoven textile of the Yakan tribe from Basilan. With its commanding colors and complex geometry, Tinnenun is not just fabric — it is a language of identity, once spoken in rituals and sacred ceremonies. That language echoed fiercely on the runway, this time fused with the structure of Mikado silk and the grace of Jusi, forming an ensemble that spoke of strength, sophistication, and resilience.
This was not simply fashion. It was cultural defiance in high definition.
“TelaHISTORIA is about reclaiming our narrative,” said one designer backstage. “Our fabrics are not relics. They are alive — and they are ours to wear, reshape, and elevate.”
Cristina "Chin" Gonzales, Madam Renee Salud and myself.
The evening drew a powerful mix of creative minds and influential leaders, including fashion luminary Renee Salud, actor Cris Villanueva, actress Cai Cortez, TIEZA COO Mark Lapid, and Mayor Allan De Leon of Taytay, Rizal, whose presence underscored the event’s mission to uplift not only indigenous artistry but also local garment economies.
Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook
Mayor Allan De Leon - Taytay Rizal
“Taytay has long been the garments capital of the country,” declared Mayor Allan De Leon. “But tonight, we prove we are not just manufacturers — we are creators. We are visionaries. Our people deserve recognition not only for what they make, but for what they imagine.”
Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook
Councilor Cai Cortez and Mayor Allan De Leon
Taytay’s emergence on the national fashion stage is no accident. It is the result of a growing movement to empower local industries, value regional talent, and shift from mass production to creative innovation — all while honoring roots.
As the final model left the stage, the applause wasn’t just for beauty. It was for bravery. For dignity. For the generations of weavers, artisans, and dreamers whose legacy now commands the spotlight.
TelaHISTORIA was not just a show. It was a declaration.
The Filipino story is not forgotten. It is being rewritten — one stitch at a time.
Photo courtesy of Mayor Allan De Leon via Facebook
Mayor Allan De Leon, Municipality Officials and Textile and Garmets Industry in Taytay, Rizal
#TelaHISTORIA2025 #FilipinoFabricIsPower #WearYourHeritage #ModernFilipiniana #IndigenousPride #Tinnenun #YakanWeaving #SupportLocal #TaytayGarments #WeAreTheStory #ProudlyPinoy #CulturalStrength #RunwayWithRoots
By: Meme Borja
