How Many Costumes Do I Own and Why I Wear Them Regularly: MAUZEK - The UP Asian Center's Anniversary Exhibit

- Nov. 12-17, 2018, Monday to Saturday.

- What makes Asia so unique? One thing for sure is its unparalleled diversity. Being the biggest continent, its diversity can be seen from its flora and fauna, to human features, to culture. Recently, the University of the Philippines Asian Center - one of my alma maters - celebrated the diversity and color of Asia on its 63rd anniversary. Entitled "Mauzek," the Hindi word for "mosaic," the week-long celebration took various forms - from talks, to cooking demonstrations, to an exhibit of all things Asian. I was fortunate enough to be invited to be a contributor to this collaborative exhibit, but with a special request - that I specifically contribute part of my vast collection of costumes to the exhibit. Other professors and students contributed more costumes, mini-statues, carpets and other textiles, paintings, religious paraphernalia, and other amazing things from all over Asia.

Event poster. (See that talk on "The Semiotics of Fashion in Asia"? That's my talk!!)

- A common question I get from people is why I started collecting costumes and why I wear them regularly, and the exhibit was a way for me to explain this. I started collecting them because of my deep appreciation of the world's cultures. I feel that if I wear these things, I am embodying a different truth or thought as taught to me by the people I encounter in my adventures and travels. So yes, I do get my costumes whenever I travel, or whenever there's a chance to buy them locally, such as in international bazaars. I wear them because of my advocacy of cultural understanding. I like it when people ask me what I wear and where they come from. It opens up an chance to engage in discourse on the quest for understanding cultures different from what we know and are used to. I am quite happy that so far, I have not been called out for "cultural appropriation." This is because I never claim the things I wear to be "my own style," as I always acknowledge the cultures where my costumes and accessories come from. I also try my best to be responsible in knowing how the clothes are to be used (ex. in which events, or degree of formality,) and if there are symbols or patterns on the fabric, I also ask what they mean. I am happy that despite what regular people may call an "eccentric lifestyle," this has been helping my family, friends, and students to learn more about the world that we all live in. (In case you're wondering, yes, I do have "regular/normal clothes.")

Almost finished setting up the day before the opening. All the clothes that you see displayed are mine, and I have worn all of them. You can also see some of the other exhibit items on the table, which were generously contributed by the center's professors and students.

Of course I had to fix my part of the exhibit in - gasp - a costume.

- Speaking of fashion and understanding fashion, on the first day I had a talk on "The Semiotics of Fashion in Asia," where I talked specifically about the Indian saree, and how this long piece of cloth defined and redefined identities and gender roles throughout the history of South Asia. Apart from a symbol of Indian femininity, other things that it defined through time include caste and class, nationalism, feminism and women empowerment, Hinduism, Catholicism (i.e. Mother Teresa and her followers,) women's occupations, and so on. Perhaps the favorite part of everyone was when I did the saree-draping demonstration, because I like being extra like that.

Left top and bottom: Thai suea praratchathan, Tibetan unju. Center: Malaysian baju melayu with sampin. Right: Vietnamese aodai.

Left: Vietnamese aodai. Right top left/right: T'boli t'nalak vest, Igorot vest. Right bottom: Taiwanese Seediq-inspired coat.

Of course I had to pay homage to my first love and my specialization: India. I'm wearing a South-Indian kurta with North-Indian jutte (shoes), a Jaipuri pagri (turban,) and a Jaipuri bandhani dupatta (tie-dyed scarf). The one I have on the exhibit is a Jaipuri block-printed kurta with another Jaipuri bandahni dupatta. 

Left: Burmese costume, full set. Third panel top: Javanese batik polo. Third panel bottom: Balinese-style checkered sarong.

Thank you so much for helping me out Jane!! (Jane works for the Asian Center.)

Academic duties.

This is how long a saree is.

Wazzup wazzup my student volunteered to be my model/mannequin.

I hope the drape is up to Indian standards haha.

Thank you Dr. Joefe Santarita, current dean of the Asian Center, and my beloved adviser (and the whole talk felt like I was doing another thesis defense. Haha.)

- On day four, I went back to the exhibit and did a walk-through of my costumes. Apart from telling them about the nature of my costume collection, how and why I got them, another question that came up - which usually comes up even when talking with my friends - is how many costumes I have. Currently I have around 200 pieces in my closet, although it's hard to really count them so I just counted the tops (around 170) and additional pieces that may be worn by themselves or as a part of a bigger costume like my sarongs (tube skirts,) and vest. Of course I would look like I have more costumes since I can mix and match them, or accessorize them with different things (like jewelry or scarves.) Don't worry the costumes, while difficult to get since I get them while traveling, are not usually expensive. I see to it that the price of the costume is reasonable and within my budget, and I also see to it that I will use it multiple times. After thinking about those things, that's the only time that I buy the costume. So far, the newest piece in the exhibit would be the t'nalak vest which I got from my very recent trip to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato (click here, here, and here for my recent trip to Lake Sebu).

Thank you best friend Evan for supporting.

I love you both huhu.

Doing two things I love the most: wearing a costume, and talking.

I am not really too sure what point I was trying to make, by my friend Jinwei took this hilarious photo of me as I was explaining my costumes very animatedly.

I was talking about this Sarawak hat that doesn't belong to me by the way, although I have a hat exactly like this. It was a generous gift from my Bruneian friends during my trip to Brunei in 2013 (click here to see my trip to Brunei.)

Thanks for coming Jinwei!!

- On a separate note, I was sad that I missed the cooking demonstration because I was doing my walk-through. After the walk-through, there was no more food. Huhu. I wanted some samosas for myself.

- Finally, I went back again on the last day, to do another walk-through, mostly to some students of the Asian Center, and some of my other friends who were able to go to the exhibit (huhu thank you friends.) Other exhibitors were also able to explain some of the items they contributed, and I learned a lot from them as well!! Also, just to show you how awesome my friends are, they even helped me pack up after the event. (Really, you guys should not have, but I highly highly appreciate the help!!)

Thank you for coming, Steph (and your mom too!!)

Crystal wanted to try on the saree, which I allowed her to since I was about to pack up anyway. She enjoyed her saree so much that she wore that to lunch at Via Mare next door.

My friend Janus, who works in the Asian Center, conceptualized this photo. (Left to right: Jaipuri kurta, Japanese yukata with obi sash, Japanese haori/kimono outer coat, Mongolian deel, Crystal wearing my South-Indian saree, Korean hanbok, and Qing-Dynasty-style/Manchurian-style changshan with vest.) 

I AM READY TO GO HOME.

Thank you UP Asian Center, and thank you friends for helping me pack!!

- My first experience as an "exhibit contributor" was a tiring but valuable one. Apart from being ecstatic that I finally checked one item off my life's bucket list - which is to have my costumes exhibited - the more important part is to share knowledge and experiences on cultural understanding. Of course I was not just there to educate, but also to learn from friends and colleagues who not only contributed to the UP Asian Center's exhibit, but were also able to share their knowledge and passion on paintings, statues, or even culture and national identity as presented in the souvenirs that we buy when we travel (who ever thought that there was academic depth in souvenirs, right? It's amazing, really.) I hope that I will have more opportunities like this in the future, so I may further share my passion to a wider audience!

- Of course, finally, thank you very much UP Asian Center (especially to Dr. Joefe Santaria, Dr. Jocelyn Celero, Janus, Jane, and everyone else,) for not forgetting about one of your most eccentric students ever, and happy 63rd anniversary!!

60 Years of Asian Studies, 60 Years of UP Diliman's Asian Center

- November 25, 2015, Wednesday.

- The UP Asian Center held its "Asian Center Night" in celebration of the 60th year of the UP Asian Center. The banquet, held at the GT Toyota Auditorium, was filled with Asian Center faculty and staff, dignitaries and representatives from some embassies, university officials, alumni and benefactors, current Asian Center students, and alumni.

- I was invited by current dean and my former adviser, Dr. Joefe Santarita, to be the emcee for the night. Since I was also going to the event regardless of the invitation to be the emcee, I agreed. I was asked to put on something colorful, so I decided to put on my Mongolian deel and the necessary accessories (read about my adventures in Mongolia here, here, and here). Little did I know that the tablecloths and chair covers agree with my outfit. Well, at least I fit in with the motif.

Wearing my Mongolian deel.

Perfectly camouflaged.

With Janus and Ivy.

Outside the auditorium.

- After the opening remarks by Dr. Santarita, we proceeded with the history of the Asian Center, as presented by Dr. Matthew Santamaria. The UP Asian Center was established in 1955 as the Institute of Asian Studies. Later on, in 1968, Republic Act 5334 mandated the existence of the institute. In the following years, the early incarnations of the Asian Center lost and finally regained its government mandate. Today, it remains to be the only center/institution in the whole Philippines to have its existence mandated by a government act. From a research institute, it has also become a degree-granting center that provides graduate-level degrees on Asian Studies and Philippine Studies. (See more details in the UP Asian Center website; click here.)

Emcee duties.

Dr. Santarita.

History of the UP Asian Center.

- UP chancellor, Dr. Michael Tan, gave his speech afterwards, mentioning how the Asian Center is 60 years "young." However, there were some people who contributed greatly to the improvements of the Asian Center in the recent years. These people are Dr. George Ty from Toyota Morots, and Director Hiroaki Uesugi from Japan Foundation Manila. They were both awarded with certificates of recognition.

Dr. Michael Tan.

- The color of the night was provided by Kaloob Philippine Music and Dance Ministry. It is a research and performing group, founded and headed by Dr. Eduardo Lapiz, that aims to preserve traditional Philippine music and dances. For the evening, they made the audience travel the Philippines - from north to south, precolonial to colonial - through their collection of dances.

T'boli dance.

Ifugao dance.

Colonial-style manton dance.

Subanon dance.

Singkil - one of my favorite dances.

The ever popular tinikling.

- Dinner was provided afterwards, and the night was capped off by a toast by Prof. Talampas, the current college secretary, and the chair of the anniversary committee. As for me, it was finally time to remove my really heavy deel and change into my "street" clothes before going home.

Picture with the sarimanok - a Maranao symbol, and the symbol of the Asian Center.

- I am very proud to have been part of this center, and I hope that the Asian Center will continue to grow and expand to other fields concerning Asia. My personal journey in the Asian Center was a bittersweet rocky road, but it was worth it. I know many will also agree with me.

"Utsav": UP Asian Center's Festival of India 2015

- Nov. 10, 2015, Tuesday.

- Two years after the UP Diliman Asian Center's first ever "Festival of India" (click here to see,) a second "Festival of India" showers the Asian Center center with mesmerizing colors and age-old cultures. While the first "Festival of India" is in line with India's Ratha Yatra festival (divine chariot pulling,) the "Festival of India" this 2015 is entitled "Utsav" (one of the Hindi words for "celebration") and is in line with this year's Diwali festival. Diwali is the festival of lights, and some Hindus consider it as the new year. (Click here to see this year's Diwali Mela held in SM Mall of Asia, to have a better idea on Diwali.)

Event poster.

- This year, I was not able to attend the whole-day event since I had classes to teach in the afternoon. I was also wondering why they held the event on a Tuesday, instead of a weekend, when more people are surely more available. Despite this, a good number of students and other visitors attended the event.

- Right before the event, I was seated behind incumbent UP chancellor, Dr. Michael Tan, and the ambassador of India to the Philippines, H.E. Lalduhthlana Ralte. While both of them were talking, the ambassador suddenly faced me and introduced me to Dr. Michael Tan. I found that funny and ironic, since I am a UP graduate, and with that thought it would be more sensible for the chancellor to introduce me to the ambassador - however, the reverse took place. I was not too sure what they were talking about, but I was pleasantly surprised when it happened. It was an honor to know that the ambassador recognizes me, and that he knew and understood my passion and enthusiasm towards his country.

- The festival started with a ceremonial lighting of the oil lamps, and the remarks by Dr. Michael Tan,  H.E. L.D. Ralte, and Dr. Joefe Santartia, current dean of the UP Asian Center, and my MA adviser. Afterwards, a short opening bhajan (devotional song) and a Carnatic song (South-Indian style,) both facilitated by Ms. Mythili Balasubramanium.

Ceremonial lighting.

H.E. L.D. Ralte.

Dr. Joefe Santarita.

Carnatic music.

- The highlight of the morning session was the Bharatanatyam by Ms. Priya from Natya Mandala. Natya Mandala is the Philippines' first Bharatanatyam dance group, headed and usually choreographed by Ms. Shanti Sreedhar; I was fortunate to have attended one of their previous performances, during Swami Vivekananda's birthday (click here to see,) As for Bharatanatyam, it is an Indian dance originally from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, but is widely practiced even by non-Tamils in India and abroad.

Ms. Priya from Natya Mandala.

Bharatanatyam has a lot of stomping.

A quick "Nataraja" pose. I was a split-second late.

End of dance.

- Before the cultural workshops started the ambassador became an "instant celebrity," with people lining up to talk to him and take photos with him. In my case, I just did a quick small talk with him, and handed him my new professional calling card before leaving the event to go to work.

With H.E. Lalduhthlana Ralte. It's an honor to have spoken to you, and a bigger honor to know that you remember me.

With Ms. Priya and Ms. Mythili. My Indian costume fits in!!

- I know I missed a lot after I left, like the yoga session, music performances, the Bollywood dance workshop, and the screening of one of the most well-loved internationally-targeted Bollywood films - "Three Idiots." I also missed the free vegetarian lunch (boo.)

- India truly is incredible, and despite its flaws (and any country has its own,) I cannot describe the whole of India with any other word. It is one of the countries to have successfully preserved its cultures and traditions locally and through its overseas communities, while continuing to develop, modernize, and compete well in different fields and sectors. I do hope that more people will learn about and understand India, and UP Asian Center's "Festival of India" is one of the ways that India's wonder is brought to the Filipinos.