RESEARCH DATA:

This is a cotton male upper garment of the Mandaya, locally known as dagum nam usog, or simply dagum. In appearance, the cotton upper garments of men and women in Mandaya communities are very similar, except that women’s versions typically feature longer sleeves and are constructed without an open front closure.
A notable feature of these garments is the intricate embroidery, done primarily through very fine cross-stitching and running stitches, which create effects that closely resemble woven designs (Pastor-Roces, 1991; Reyes, 1992). The shoulder seams and armholes are further decorated with colorful tassels. In this particular textile, the sleeve ends and front closure are lined with white cotton and finished with running stitches.