The Philippines recently hosted the ASEAN 2026 summit in Cebu, where leaders from 11 countries convened to address regional stability and strengthen diplomatic ties through a blend of political dialogue and cultural exchange.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Emphasized the necessity of the gathering, stating that leaders must work together “to strengthen cooperation as the ASEAN family supports efforts that promote dialogues, confidence building and maintenance of peace and stability in the region.” The President noted that this unifying meeting is particularly timely given the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which continues to impact food supplies, fuel prices, and the safety of ASEAN nationals across the region.
Complementing the diplomatic agenda, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos managed the event’s logistics, venues, and performances. Operating under the mantra “Consider It Done” (CID), the First Lady underscored that “every detail matters,” framing the summit as a celebration of “shared stories between our peoples.”
Central to this vision was a showcase of Filipino heritage and craftsmanship. Through the First Lady’s Likha project, materials were provided to 11 designers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to create handcrafted garments for the visiting ASEAN leaders. This effort was coordinated with the help of fashion industry pillar Lulu Tan-Gan and led by Patis Tesoro, known as the grand dame of Philippine fashion.
The resulting creations highlighted a diverse array of indigenous textiles and traditional techniques:
- Francis Libiran crafted a custom calado barong using fine piña and jusi fabrics for President Marcos, and a Filipiniana orchid gown featuring Yakan handwoven textile from Basilan for the First Lady. He also designed a gown for Thailand’s Madame Thananon Niramit, fusing Filipino terno sleeves with the traditional Thai Kranok motif.
- Cary Santiago designed a piña barong with geometric calado embroidery inspired by Thai designs for Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
- Lulu Tan-Gan applied her “Farm to Fashion” philosophy to create an embroidered jacquard suk-suk barong with piña floral embroidery for Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and a piña long gown ensemble with a silk and piña fishtail skirt for Madame Loo Tze Lui.
- Patis Tesoro created a pure piña barong with yellow floral embellishments from Lumban for Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
- Michael Leyva produced a brocade dress with woven calado for the First Lady, a piña barong for Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and a teal Filipiniana featuring handwoven ikat textile for Malaysia’s Madame Le Thi Bich Tran.
- Paul Cabral designed a pineapple fabric barong with ethnic-inspired geometric motifs for Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary U Hau Khan Sum.
- Rajo Laurel crafted a pure Philippine piña long-sleeved barong for Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- Patty Ang designed a striped piña barong for Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, incorporating a sash with Silambituwon and Silaksakaw designs reflecting the national flag of Timor-Leste.
- Kenny Ladaga created a piña silk barong for Indonesian Prime Minister Prabowo Subianto, featuring batik-inspired embroidery.
- Kim Basilio utilized Aklan piña silk and Ilocano binakol silk to reinterpret Xout Lao Lum silhouettes for Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
- Nino Franco (Wilson Limon) produced a piña shifu barong from Aklan with T’boli embroidery from Lake Sebu for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The summit further integrated Cebuano culture through the inclusion of Sinulog dancers, local music, and regional flavors, aiming to foster a sense of unity among the member nations.
By weaving together political missions and cultural narratives, the event may serve as a template for future regional engagements. This focus on “shared stories” could potentially lead to deeper cultural diplomacy and strengthened cooperation as ASEAN nations navigate shared economic and security challenges.
