Patis Tesoro named National Artist for Design

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Filipina fashion designer Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro has been named a National Artist of the Philippines for Design, honoring a career closely tied to the evolution of Filipiniana.

Tesoro is best known for reworking the terno, baro’t saya, and barong Tagalog through new shapes, detailed embroidery and unexpected combinations of traditional materials.

Her work has long used piña, jusi, abaca, cotton, and regional textiles, but she has also spent years studying the people and processes behind them.

In the 1980s, visits to Aklan brought her closer to piña farmers and weavers, strengthening her support for the craft and the communities that keep it alive.

Tesoro has also worked with embroiderers, dyers, and other artisans across the country. Old fabrics, vintage garments and leftover materials have often found their way into new pieces, giving them another use without losing their history.

Her design philosophy is often summed up in the phrase “Filipiniana is forever,” which also became the title of a book tracing more than five decades of her work.

Tesoro is one of 10 new National Artists named in 2026, alongside Nicanor G. Tiongson, Gregorio C. Brillantes, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Nunelucio M. Alvarado, Gabriel Formoso, Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan, Armando “Bing” Lao, Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado and Alfredo S. Buenaventura. — Angelica Villanueva