On spotlight: Duterte’s SONA wall decor made by weavers displaced by Marawi siege

MANILA, Philippines — While local fabrics were among the highlights at the red carpet before President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address, the native drape that Marawi locals wove also caught the spotlight.

READ: Filipiniana again dominates SONA fashion

This is notably the first time that there was a wall decor featured behind a president while delivering a SONA speech.

According to former ARMM Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, the colorful wall decor behind the speaker’s podium where Duterte delivered his SONA was made by weavers who were displaced by the Marawi siege.

“The native Meranao drape (Balod) adorned the Speaker’s podium where the President delivered his SONA today is a product of our local weavers (Arkat weavers) from Marawi, Lanao del Sur who are themselves displaced by the Marawi Siege,” Adiong said on Twitter.

Facebook page Tourism Lanao Del Sur, which posts about the province's tourism, culture and arts, explained that the “balod” used at Duterte's SONA was donated by Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr.

“The backdrop used behind the President’s rostrum while delivering his SONA is indeed a Meranao wall decor called Balod, which means wave, referring to the waving patterns on the weave,” it said.

It added that the langkit or pattern used are products of Arkat Weavers from Marantao “who are recipients of various technical assistance by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur under the Technology & Livelihood Development Center.”

The MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology defines langkit as a Maranao word which is “a strip of multi-colored fabric, woven or embroidered to decorate or enhance the design or style of the malong.”

“This certainly tickles a dose of appreciation for a traditional masterpiece that is uniquely Meranao,” Tourism Lanao del Sur said in a Facebook post.

On Monday, Vice President Leni Robredo and her daughters Aika, Tricia and Jillian also wore Filipiniana dresses that feature fabrics weaved by Angat Buhay communities in Marawi and Basilan when they attended the SONA.

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