Barong Tagalog

A Barong Tagalog (or simply Barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked, similar to a coat. It is the common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men. The term "Barong Tagalog" literally means "Tagalog dress" (i.e., baro ng Tagalog or dress of the Tagalog) in the Tagalog language.

Origin

This Filipino tradition dates back to the Spanish Colonial era. The most common theory about its origins is that the Spaniards made Filipinos wear barongs untucked to distinguish them from the ruling class. Also, barongs had to be made of thin fabric so that the Spaniards could assure that the wearer was not bearing a weapon under the garment.

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However, this theory has been questioned by other scholars and historians. They note the absence of a citation to the specific law where the Spaniards supposedly prohibited the natives from tucking in their shirts. Secondly, they note that natives during the Spanish Era did wear their shirts tucked in at times. A common example cited in support of this argument is Jose Rizal and his contemporaries, who were photographed in Western clothing with their shirts tucked in. Thirdly, the Philippines has a tropical climate and it is common for shirts not to be tucked in because of the heat. Finally, the barong is thought to be an adaptation of a shirt that was worn during the Spanish era throughout the Spanish empire. Scholars who subscribe to the last theory note that the barong bears many similarities to the guayabera, a shirt popular in the Latin American communities.

Related Topics:
Jose Rizal - Guayabera

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