No two alike: Celebrate the Philippines by wearing LuzViMinda on your sleeves
MANILA, Philippines – No two designs are the same, designer Wilson Limon said about the handmade Uniqlo patches created by artisans from Abra, Panay Bukidnon and Lake Sebu.
The Philippines and Japan are celebrating 70 years of friendship, and joining the celebration is Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo.
Uniqlo partnered with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to release a collection of handmade patches created by artisans under the NCCA's School of Living Traditions Program.
Nature and culture are artistically woven into the designs using the traditional techniques of the Itnegs of Abra, the Panay Bukidnon of Iloilo and the T'boli of Lake Sebu.
The artisans upcycled Uniqlo alteration fabric scraps to create the handmade patches in their respective communities.
Itneg artisans are known for their handwoven textiles and embroidery featuring geometric patterns; Panay Bukidnon artisans practice Panubok, a traditional hand embroidery technique characterized by intricate geometric and traditional motifs; and T'boli artisans, while widely known for their T'nalak weaving tradition, also practice traditional embroidery, with both textile practices reflecting their rich cultural heritage.
“For us the Itnegs, the butiki (house lizard or common gecko) represents good luck. Pinapalibutan kasi ang aming komunidad ng maliliit na bundok. Nandoon kami sa gitna. So ‘yun po yung nagre-represent sa aming village. Ito naman apat na tao na nakataas ang kamay, ibig sabihin niyan hindi nagsu-surrender. Sign of unity, love and peace. Kasi yung apat na tribo na pinagsama-sama mo, that’s unity.
“‘Yung mga ninuno namin, mga Itneg, walang karunungan pero magaling sila doon sa paniniwalang binigay ng aming Kabunyan (benevolent celestial spirit or divine protector), ng dahil doon sa sign,” Itneg Schools of Living Tradition in Abra Cultural Master Luis Agaid Jr. told Philstar.com during the collection’s launch last July 29 in the brand’s store and headquarters in Greenbelt 5, Makati.
The patches from Panay Bukidnon are inspired by food and flowers familiar to the community's elders, explained Panay Bukidnon School of Living Tradition in Iloilo Cultural Master Regina Villanueva.
She added that the flowers bloom only once a year, while the leaves featured in the patches are used as a souring agent for their native chicken dish. There is also a fern or pako-pako pattern, while other leaves featured are the same ones found on their Sanduko or short blades.
The Mindanao designs are nature-oriented, according to T'boli School of Living Tradition in South Cotabato Cultural Master Edna Mofak.
“Kaya ‘yung design namin, parang diamond. Connection ‘yan. Kailangan ang inspirasyon namin ay connected sa tao, nature at community. Mahalaga ‘yung closeness ng pamilya,” Mofak added.
Relatable to more people
The project's creative director, Wilson Limon, has been working with the Philippines' ethnolinguistic groups for more than 10 years.
He has been advocating for Philippine traditions and art to become more relatable and wearable.
"That's my dream: All the Filipinos would have something from the Philippines and 100% made by our artisans. All of my patches are handmade. And of course, no two pieces are alike because it's made by different people in their community. That's the beauty of it. It's different. It's the story of the hands that made our embroideries," Limon said.
Proceeds from every artisan patch purchased will directly support the artisan communities, helping preserve their traditional crafts and sustain their livelihoods for future generations.
The collaboration runs until October 31, 2026, and is available at selected Uniqlo stores nationwide, including the Manila Global Flagship Store in Makati, SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio High Street, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Greenhills, Nuvali, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Davao, Davao Roadside Store and SM Lanang Premier in Davao.
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