halfwhiteboy

Buwan ng Wika (Language Month) celebrations are one of my favorite occasions to dress up. While most celebrations are confined to schools, I’m glad that our department has made it an annual tradition at the office. Two years ago, I wore a batik blazer for a Mindanao-inspired look but for the most part since 2017, I’ve been wearing a Barong Tagalog —the same Barong actually—just styled in a different way each time. This year, it’s a Barong once again, albeit a new one.

I love Buwan ng Wika (Philippine Language Month) celebrations at the office. Actually, every chance I get to play a little dress-up, I love. Last year, I wore a Barong Tagalog with plaid pants in a haciendero -inspired getup (or at least what I thought a haciendero of yore looked like). This year, I went all the way down south for inspiration and sported a batik blazer . I actually got it for last year's celebration but unfortunately, my parcel arrived way too late. Nevertheless, at least it still proved useful. I reckon this piece would have been traditionally worn without anything underneath (just like a vest) but to give it a modern and office-appropriate spin, I slipped into a plain black pullover. Besides, I don't want my abs—I mean, flabs—showing. Completed the look with black pants and a touch of outré via my oversized chain loafers . The shawl worn like a waistband was a token addition in keeping with the theme assigned to our group. Till next year!

Wearing a Barong Tagalog--with rolled-up sleeves. Regarded as the country's national formal wear for men, the Barong Tagalog sure is a thing of beauty. Whether they're cheapies from Divisoria that cost only a few hundred pesos or expensive designer pieces, you can't discount the Barong's innate elegance. I got to wear one again last Friday when our department celebrated the culmination of Buwan ng Wika (Language Month). While it's a celebration often confined to schools, we've been at it for three years now. It's something I actually look forward to each year.

Looking oh, so dignified here. Although the celebrations are normally concentrated in elementary schools, August is Buwan ng Wika (Language Month) in the Philippines. Along with dressing up in various traditional Filipino costumes, schools usually hold programs and contests showcasing the national language and traditional Filipino songs and dances. Our department decided to join in the fun by designating a special day yesterday where everyone was required to wear a traditional Filipino costume reinterpreted for modern times. Two years ago when we first held this event, I found myself wearing an ethnic-designed shirt with a malong . This year I decided on a Barong Tagalog , considered our national formal wear for men. But no one wants to go all formal on a Friday, so I wore my Barong Tagalog with sneakers . I thought, if a full-on suit works just fine with sneakers, a barong would be just as perfect with this type of footwear.