RP govt imposes national dress

RP govt imposes national dress

MANILA (AFP): Filipinos working in government offices must wear national dress every Monday as part of celebrations of the centennial of the country's independence from Spain, the presidential palace said yesterday.

Presidential Press Secretary Hector Villanueva said employees of all government agencies, state-run corporations and those working in state schools were obliged to wear the national costume once a week until Dec. 31, 1998.

Men are to come to office garbed in dark pants and "barong Tagalog," a gossamer, long-sleeved shirt often worn with an undershirt.

Women are to wear any Filipina costume, which may consist of an ankle-length skirt and a blouse with butterfly sleeves popularized by former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos. These costumes usually go with wooden togs.