RESEARCH DATA:

This garment from the collection is a male upper garment of uncertain provenance, likely of Blaan or Bagobo origin, and may correspond to the Blaan saol or the Bagobo ompak. It is an abaca warp-ikat–woven garment, dyed with black and red stripes that provide contrast to the resist-dyed white portions.
Pastor-Roces (1991) noted that Blaan ikat is called ambëd, while Bagobo ikat is referred to as binud-bud. The resist-dyed areas feature repeating geometric motifs that form continuous patterns covering the entire front bodice and extending from half of the sleeves to slightly beyond half of the back of the bodice. The remaining portions of the sleeves near the cuffs display pointed, triangular motifs with fine detailing. The upper portion of the back bodice features a separate ikat design composed of continuous X-shaped forms arranged in vertical rows.