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Why is it that the barong is tucked out?
There is more than one explanation!
One explanation says that it is because of the tropical climate, which favours clothes that are tucked out. However, the historical explanation says that the Barong Tagalog traces its roots in the Spanish-colonial era (1565-1898).
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The roots of the Barong Tagalog
From the beginning of the Spanish rule in the Philippine archipelago, the Spanish rulers demanded the Filipino men to wear the Barong Tagalog. The Spaniards wanted to make the differences between themselves and the 'natives' visible by the dress.
Therefore they prohibited to tuck the barong under the waistband. That was the mark of the inferior status of the natives. Next to that, the cloth material should be transparent. That should make it impossible to hide any weapon that
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could be used against the Spanish rulers. Furthermore, it was forbidden to have any pockets in the barong. This had to prevent any thievery.
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Even at the time that some Filipinos became successful business men or successful in agricultural activities, these lucky and more important middle class men had to wear the Barong Tagalog just as the Spanish rulers demanded.
In these Spanish period, the new middle class started to put more attention to the design of the barong. The front of the barong showed more and more a hand -work design. It was the beginning of becoming a symbol of resistance to colonization.
Pictures: Kasal.com
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