Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sarong

c/o Wikipedia

A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or checkered patterns, or may be brightly colored by means of batik or ikat dyeing. Many modern sarongs also have printed designs, often depicting animals or plants.

The sarong is common wear for women, in formal settings with a kebaya blouse. Malay men wear sarongs in public only when attending Friday prayers at the mosque, but sarongs remain very common casual wear at home for men and women of all races and religions in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Northeast Part of India, in which Sarong is known as Phanek in Manipuri [1] and most parts of Southern India where it is called mundu or lungi in Myanmar.

My mom gave me a sarong from Indonesia. In Indonesia, it known as kain sarung (sarung cloth). Just like my malong, I haven't worn my sarong yet so I just tried it at home. 

"i'll try a belt"

tadah!!!
Experiment.
Explore.
Don't be afraid.

XOXO

Malong

From the Rainbow's Varied Hue: Textiles of the Southern Philippines. Edited by Roy W. Hamilton. 1998. Fowler Museum of Cultural History, University of California at Los Angeles.(c/o Wikipedia)

The malong is a traditional "tube skirt" made of handwoven or machine-made multi-colored cotton cloth, bearing a variety of geometric or okir designs. The malong is akin to the sarong worn by peoples in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The malong is traditionally used as a garment by numerous tribes in the Southern Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago.

Handwoven malongs are made by Maranao, Maguindanao, and T'boli weavers on a backstrap loom. The pattern or style of the malong may indicate the weaver's tribal origin, such as the Maranao malong landap. Very rare malong designs and styles can indicate the village in which the malong was made, for example, the extremely intricate malong rawatan made only by a handful of Maranao weavers in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao. Handwoven malongs, which are costly, are likely to be used only at social functions, to display the social and economic status of the wearer. While modern malongs are made of cotton and Lurex threads, some contemporary handwoven malongs are made of inexpensive rayon thread, to reduce the manufacturing cost to the weaver and ultimate cost to the consumer. There are many grades of cotton thread, and the cost of a malong can also be reduced by using the lesser grades of cotton thread, or by creating a loose or coarse weave.

Machine-made printed cotton malongs are made in Indonesia specifically for export to the Philippines, and are commonly referred to as "batik" because the item is imported; those inexpensive machine-made malongs are used for everyday purposes. The designs of traditional handwoven designs are used in imported cotton from Thailand, allowing the purchaser to have a cotton machine-printed malong which, from a distance, convincingly mimics the look of a much more expensive handwoven malong.

The malong can function as a skirt for both men and women, a dress, a blanket, a sunshade, a bedsheet, a "dressing room", a hammock, a prayer mat, and other purposes. A newborn is wrapped in a malong, and as he grows this piece of cloth becomes a part of his daily life. When he dies, he is once again wrapped in a malong. Among traditional tribal peoples, the malong is used in everyday life. Even in areas where people wear Western-style clothing during the day, the malong is commonly used as sleepwear.The malong is also used in very big festivals, they wear this to show respect.

Someone gifted me with a malong from Lanao. I usually use it to cover-up something in my room, haha! I'm not telling what, my family knows. Hehe! But one boring day I thought of using it for its prime purpose, hehe! 




It's actually pretty when modified. I can think of so many ways to wear it. I should wear this when I go out one time. :D

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Shutterbug

As mentioned on my previous post, we headed to Intramuros to study at Starbucks. I have been to this place very few times only and I usually just pass by. I still get amazed with the structures in this walled-city which are very Spanish colonial.  

Starbucks is located at Puerta de Isabel which is right in front of the Aduana ruin. After settling, my friend and I walked around the place. We definitely looked like tourists. A pedicab driver even offered to tour us around, wahaha!!! I wanted to say that I just live 10 minutes away from the place. Haha!!!




right in front of Starbucks: Aduana ruin









stripes knit top from Beauty, shorts from Jade, dark blue fashion tights from Dorothy Perkins, ballet flats from Shoebox, bag from Cole Vintage




So we went back to Starbucks. The place is a small cave which might be a renovated barrack ruin. Our goal is to study but the place is small, crowded and noisy-not conducive for studying. But to be fair, the place is really nice for hanging out with friends.







Around 5pm, 2 of our classmates arrived and we invited them to transfer to Starbucks Otis.



paparazzi shot
Starbucks Otis around 11 pm

spotted studying Dermatology for the grand OSCE

I declare, Starbucks Otis, as the best branch conducive for studying. Haha!

P.S. I will go back to Intramuros to stroll and eat. 

Now, STUDY!!!

Monday, March 28, 2011

lousy outfit

When I super duper cram, I run to Starbucks in the hopes that I won't fall asleep. I'm such a sleepy-head. I fall asleep easily when I'm studying but when in front of my laptop surfing fashion blogs or facebook, I have my eyes wide open! Haha!

P.S. this is not an outfit post coz I don't wear anything spectacular when I study :/ Also, this not a Starbucks post-like its my first time. Haha! Accept that I'm just a shutterbug! :D

I joined Peter and Jared at Starbucks Otis. It was my first time and can I just say, I love it there! Very minimal distractions coz you don't have classmates, partygoers and foreigners esp noisy Ks unlike in Starbucks Adriatico. Hehe! Except Rob Otis has free and fast wifi so I was still able to chat and check FB. :/ But, not bad. Surprisingly, I was able to study.

a lousy study outfit with my fluffy hair

knit stripes top from Beauty, Thai pants, sandals from Ola, bag from Cole Vintage

dwarfism?



50% of the time, I was chatting with my Mom and Dad planning for our summer trips. I'm just so excited! Though my 1 month USA vacation will not push through, I'll still make the most out of my summer. Can't wait!!!

 my mom: at home
me: Starbucks Otis

I just had my ORL exams a few hours ago. I'm leaving in a while. We're heading to Starbucks Intramuros. Excited! Heard that the place is so pretty! Pictures tomorrow. :D

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Turbands

Sunday
Mom and bro fetched me from my apartment to hear mass at Malate Church. We had lunch in a Chinese restaurant then they dropped me off already. It's crunch time. I should not blog. I should not check my facebook. But I just want to share my turbands. Haha!

I wore my first turband last week click here.
Then mom ordered more from Flatterbuy and we got them already. Weee!!!


Flatterbuy turband and Givenchy sunglasses


oh my poor wavy hair :( I shall fix you after summer







printed Vespa top from Noel bazaar, pink pants from HongKong, flipflops from Roxy, turband from Flatterbuy, bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, watch from Technomarine


my family: brother, mom and adopted brother

Study time!
XOXO