In anticipation of this year’s 460th Fiesta Señor celebration, Gov. Gwen Garcia’s revered image of the Santo Niño that is kept in her office at the Capitol gets a new embroidered vestment, courtesy of the famed “Burdaderas” of Minglanilla.
Minglanilla, a town recognized for its skilled artisans, is home to “burdaderas” or embroidery makers, the expert creators of the vestments for the Holy Child.
Among them are Milet Pantonial and her talented team from Brgy. Vito, Minglanilla, who spent months manually doing the embroidery works for the vestment of the Governor’s Sto. Niño image, as well as for the one housed at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño itself.
Milet began creating vestments for the Holy Child in 2001 as a tribute to Señor Santo Niño. Since then, she has dressed other religious icons all over the Philippines (including the Virgen dela Regla in Lapu-Lapu City and the Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon); as well as other images abroad.
What sets the Burdaderas of Minglanilla apart is their unique use of gold threads and patches that create an embossed effect on the vestments. Sequins and beads further enhance the beauty of their creations, making each piece a work of art.
However, Minglanilla’s local embroidery industry faces challenges as the industry is on the decline. Today, fewer than 25 burdaderas remain, with Milet and her team among the last few to have carried on this important industry.
As the Fiesta Señor approaches, Milet hopes to revive interest in embroidery and help others understand its cultural significance. Through her work, she aspires to keep the art of embroidery alive and ensure that the tradition is passed on to future generations.
With each vestment sewn, Milet and her team weave not just fabric but also history and devotion, promising that the faith of Cebuanos will continue to shine through their art in the years to come. | MARM
