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TERNO 80: MARITESS M. PINEDA CELEBRATES EIGHT DECADES OF PHILIPPINE DESIGN AND ART PATRONAGE

To celebrate the milestone 80th year of Maritess M. Pineda, ART HOUSE will mount a retrospective show that captures eight decades of patronage for Philippine art and design. From October 24 to 27 at the Southcourt  of the Power Plant Mall, Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art will bring together 8 contemporary artists as they reflect and respond to 8 masterful designs that have marked milestones in the life of a patron. “It felt more meaningful and purposeful to come up with an exhibit than to throw another party,” reflects the patron, co-founder for ArteFino and Friends of Manansala Foundation. Maritess is also a Board of Director of ART HOUSE, “It was important to have an activity that would tell the story of Philippine art, heritage, and design,” she says. “We were also thinking of something that could evolve in the coming years, maybe into a book or a larger exhibit.”



TERNO: A Pairing, A Symbol of Philippine Identity


The concept of Terno was hatched after poring over Maritess’s extensive archive of gowns by masters of Philippine fashion. Couture creations by Ramon Valera, Steve de Leon, and Patis Tesoro served as key inspiration for mounting an art show, showcasing the use of heritage fabrics. Contemporary reimaginings of the national dress by BAYO Atelier, Len Cabili, Jor-El Espina, Rajo Laurel, and Cora Manimbo were also chosen to represent a creative revolution in everyday Philippine wear. “These gowns or dresses were also chosen because they were a part of my life’s milestones,” adds Maritess. 


Design pieces were then paired with contemporary artists from ART HOUSE’s roster.These include 0270501, Enon de Belen, Alvaro Jimenez, Ronna Manansala, Anina Rubio, and Melissa Yeung-Yap. Patis Tesoro and Jo Ann Bitagcol were also invited to partake of the creative exercise. Their works as both artist and designer are renowned for their distinctive use of heritage fabrics. For Terno, Patis will showcase never-before-seen studies of her artwork, all done on local fabrics. Jo Ann will apply her signature photoprints on fabrics as a response to Len Cabili’s intricately embroidered dresses


Ramon Valera gown that Maritess Pineda wore on her debut

by Ronna Manansala and a photography piece by Jo Ann Bitagcol


Steve de Leon archival piece


 ART HOUSE Founder Carlo Pineda explains, “My mom has always been a supporter of Philippine fashion and art. Her journey as a patron of both presented us with a beautiful proposition to blend fashion and art in one space.” Terno honors the national dress as a fundamental part of Philippine identity. But more than that, it also endeavors to tell the story of Philippine creativity and its ecosystem through a new lens. 


Carlo details that: “The concept aligns with ART HOUSE’s  ethos for showcasing local talent, culture and heritage. It also zooms in on materiality, which is the use of heritage fabric.” In Terno, indigenous weaves like abaca, Sinamay, upcycled fabrics, cajas, T’nalak, Inabel, Binakol, pina, and banana fibers serve as the canvas for both the designer and artist. “The show inspires the audience to regard our very own heritage fabrics through the eyes of two different disciplines, and in different eras,” says Carlo. On of the differentiating attributes of the show is that it  presents Philippine weaves as the canvas for enduring fashion creations and contemporary art works. 


Sincere advocacy also underscores the narrative behind Terno. In her eight decades of patronage, Maritess has forged lasting friendships with artists and designers alike. “Every piece of art or gown in my collection has a personal story to tell,” says the patroness. “Collecting was never about just acquiring pieces or investing. It was always something very personal and meaningful. Something that was part of everyday life, something that I also share and impart with family.” By highlighting the patron’s journey in Philippine and art, Terno endeavors to bring forth the heartwarming stories behind pieces, reshaping the considerations that make a work of art truly valuable. Carlo emphasizes,



Alvaro Jimenez, Carlo Pineda, Cora Manimbo, Patis Tesoro, Peching Gomez, Maritess Pineda, Anna Lagoon, Patty Pineda, Steve de Leon


In her curatorial notes for Terno, Marika Constantino writes: 


“When the term terno is used, it can loosely refer to a formal attire or by definition: a pairing, matching of items, to make suitable, or to fit. These are the underpinnings of this exhibition. This effort also takes into account Ms. Marites Pineda’s significant role in advocating for our local culture, with a focus on textiles, fabrics,and crafts; a cause that has fueled her eight decades of spirited and purposeful engagement.


Len Cabili; Cora Manimbo; Alvaro Jimenez; Patis Tesoro; Ronna Manansala with Maritess Pineda; Steve de Leon with Maritess Pineda


Terno is an exhibition that presents various renditions of weaves and materials. Taking inspiration and motivation from the garments from Ms. Pineda’s collection, each artist will respond and reflect on a specific piece of clothing. Whether it’s the color, pattern, flow, drapery or construction, these gowns will be sources of stimulation to induce meditative or contemplative contemporary art works. As this group of intergenerational artists showcase their mixed-media works, we are also able to forward our fertile, creative, and resilient past. More importantly, the collection gives light and contributes to a diverse and highly sustainable legacy for future generations of Filipinos to build upon.”

Carlo emphasizes that a spirit for collaboration between artists, designers, patron, and audience make up the unique ecosystem that ARTHOUSE celebrates. For Terno, more specifically, “We explored new ways of bringing fashion and the arts together under one platform. We would like to start engaging artists and designers in an exchange and creative interaction.” He discloses that eventually, the exhibit could serve as a take off point for future shows or programs that merge fashion with fine arts. 




Maritess M. Pineda, patron, arts and culture advocate, and co-founder of ArteFino concludes: “Terno is inspiration for ARTHOUSE to now look into showing how art and fashion can evolve hand in hand. Both can adapt to the direction and the needs of the times. They can adapt while taking into consideration the need to address the climate change crisis. They can do all of this while keeping in mind that perservation of heritage is key.” 



Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art will happen from October 24 to 27 at the Southcourt, Powerplant Mall. The exhibit will move to the ART HOUSE Gallery at JMP Bldg Jose Cruz Street Brgy Ugong Pasig City. For more information, follow ART HOUSE @thearthouse_


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