'PILI BARONG' proposed dress for the Sorsoganon

If the suggestion of Irma Guhit, Philippine Information Agency manager in Sorsogon, would appeal to top officials in the Province, it would be easy to know a Sorsoganon by identifying him/her through her dress.

And not just an ordinary dress, but the "Polo Barong" with a twist - the Pili Barong. "We must have a sense of identity even just in the way we dress, specially if we would like to promote the Pili. Even in our social and official functions, specially during formal occasions, the Pili fruit is a design that can be hand painted on your Barong", said Guhit(on my personal interview with her) who also conceptualized the first Sorsogon Pili Festival in 2000.

"When you don that Barong, you should feel good that you're a Sorsoganon. Wherwever you go, you a marked", she added.

The PIA Official said an insignia of Pili on Government officilas and employees' dresses would readily recognize a person as a Sorsoganon.

Representatives for the WOW Philippines presentatation in Manila, specially the Sorsogon Choir and all the City Officials, for instance will be wearing dresses with hand painted Pili designs to show that they are from Sorsogon, according to Guhit.

She further suggested using differente colored designs to desinate ranks: green for Baranggay Officials,green and violet for Municipal Officials and black for Baranggay Officials. "It has a promotional value. You don't have to say anything because it's a language of it's own." Guhit said.

She recomended that Festival activities should zero in on the word "pili" like 'piling-piling musika' or mamayan,inbentor,dalaga at binata ng Sorsogon'

Pili is also considred a "majestic tree" because-from it's roots,trunks,branches,leaves,saps and fruits-it has numerous industrial,commercial,environmental,medicinal and nutritional uses.

A Sorsoganon should embody the good traits of the Pili Tree, according to Guhit.
"I would always believe in the saying that "lambang Sorsoganon,paglaom" (every Sorsoganon is a hope) meaning, you're a hope; in whatever way you can, whatever best you can contribute....go for it". Guhit said.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Ms.Irma A. Guhit
Provincial Manager
Philippine Information Agency
Sorsogon

Mr.Emir Gamis
Sorsogon City