Just north of Pagsanjan, one of Laguna province’s most popular tourist towns, is the town of Lumban.
What many visitors may not know is that this town holds the distinction of being the "Embroidery Capital of the Philippines.”
It is popular for its elegant yet handmade masterpieces, particularly embroidered sartorial creations such as barong Tagalog and gowns. Note that Sen. Grace Poe confidently displayed her Barong Tagalog gown during the recent State of the Nation Address of President Marcos Jr. and said it was made in Lumban. The same is true for her son Bryan’s Barong Tagalog.
The same skillful hands are handed down from generation to generation, making it a very important craft for the economy and cultural identity of Lumban that even attracted customers nationally and internationally.
Embroidery, after all, signifies the artistic tradition and craftsmanship Lumban is famous for. It is woven deeply into local traditions, which put on traditional clothing during ceremonies and important days.
Embroidery is a major industry in Lumban and provides income for many residents while drawing tourists with its wares who come from across the Philippines to view and buy.
Large custom communities in Lumban have embroidery as a way of life, most especially also related to traditional wear on occasions.
Key to outfits such as the barong Tagalog — worn for formal events in the Philippines by men and women alike —and wedding dresses (being especially popular with brides).
The treat is an integral part of festivals and cultural events, celebrating milestones in life or sharing it with neighbors.
Lumban's embroidery scene is widely influenced by modern designs and innovations through the combination of traditional techniques with modern aesthetics.
Toward that goal, local craftspeople are going in search of new patterns, materials, and technologies to increase their appeal to a new clientele and to be at par with changing fashion trends.
This includes the use of modern motifs, bright colors, and machine embroidery combined with hand stitching.
Moreover, Lumban embroideries are also being promoted in international markets, where designers are collaborating, and fashion shows are done, to prove their versatility and relevance to modern fashion. These innovations help preserve the craft, making it relevant and appealing to contemporary global fashion.
These embroidered tapestries can be purchased through physical shops along the highways of Lumban, it is also available during the ‘Burdang Lumban Festival’, and some local shops have their stores on online platforms, where you can buy them in a more accessible way.
If you want to experience Lumban, Laguna first hand, you have to ride a bus from (PITX) Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Manila to Santa Cruz Laguna for P150, to Santa Cruz, Laguna, and from there you can either ride a Taxi for P190-P230 or ride a jeepney going to Lumban, Laguna.
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