RESEARCH DATA:

This textile is an innovation of the balikes by Patis Tesoro, a belt worn by men for everyday use which they tie around their waist and hold small objects (Cole, 1922). This variation is a bi-colored belt with a handwoven black body and red end panels attached to its bottom edges using cream triangular embroideries. These cream embroideries that act as joineries are reminiscent of the traditional embroidery used in Itneg or Tingguian skirts and blankets. Moreover, the red part of this belt has small diamond lattice-like patterns finely handwoven which look like mata-mata (eye-like patterns) or the scales of a snake or python (Respicio, 2000).