The patadyong is a pre-Spanish clothing item or loose skirt worn
by Filipino women particularly in the lowland regions of the
Visayas. In terms of function, it is similar to the “sarong” or
“malong” used in Mindanao in southern Philippinesa nd Indonesia.
But instead of the batik patterns, the patadyong has a
checkered, colorful design or patterns. Like the malong, the
patadyong has a variety of uses. Primarily, women used it as a
tucked-in skirt topped by a kimona (thin cotton blouse). Women
in the countryside or rural areas wear or used the patadyong as
a sort of kerchief, shawl or even to shade or cover themselves
from prying eyes. In bygone days when washing or bathing in
rivers were commonplace, women hold a piece or one end of the
patadyong with their teeth or free hand, while soaping and
cleaning their body with another hand. It may looked clumsy but
it works by providing a bit of privacy. Today wearing patadyong
is often limited or seen in folkloric performances and dances,
and is considered as more of