Ifugao lawmaker wants to wear bahag for SONA

MANILA, Philippines - It’s about time the country’s rich cultural heritage takes center stage in the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).

A lawmaker from Ifugao province is thinking of wearing the bahag, the native loincloth or G-string in this year’s SONA.

Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat said he would consult the new House leadership if he would be allowed to wear ethnic costume.

“Since it is the first SONA of President Duterte, they may like less attention away from him,” Baguilat said.

His hometown, Kiangan, is one of four areas in the province declared as heritage site by the UNESCO.

Showing Ifugao’s G-string during the SONA will highlight the ethnic group’s identity.

The idea was suggested to Baguilat after Duterte directed incoming speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to advise House members to observe simplicity and modesty by wearing business attire instead of designer outfits.

Baguilat, a member of the Liberal Party, said he wore a bahag when he took his oath before Kiangan Mayor Joselito Guyguyon.

“I took my oath as congressman of Ifugao in full ethnic attire to emphasize pride in identity and the Ifugao values,” he said.

Baguilat said he asked the previous House leadership to allow him to wear bahag during former president Benigno Aquino III’s SONA, but this was turned down.

“I was not able to wear it. It’s indecent exposure to them, according to the protocol guys,” he said.

Should the new leadership reject his request, Baguilat said he would accent his attire with a “sash and headdress” during the SONA.