The illustrations here are part of a series titled Islas Filipinas. Cultivo y Recoleccion del Tabaco en Cagayan del Norte. [Philippine Islands. Cultivation and Collection of Tabacco in Cagayan del Norte.] (1880). The artist is anonymous. These illustrations were published in the Spanish magazine La Ilustración Española y Americana. Our description of this publication is in our previous installment 13.2.
All the farm workers here appear to be native Filipinos that dress similarly and practically for the hard work and weather. Their clothes are likely made of breathable and durable fabrics, like cotton, linen, ramie or abaca. All cover their heads for protection from the sun and rain.
The first image above shows farm workers sorting and arranging harvested tabacco leaves. The four women in the foreground all wear baro’t saya (blouse and skirt) and loose putong (head wraps). The man in this drawing wears a tan work barong, tan work pants and a salakot on his head.
The second image above shows men sowing tabacco seeds. The man on the carabao wears a white work barong, brown work pants and a salakot on his head. The man to the left on the horse wears a red camisa de chino, blue work pants and a putong fastened on his head.
The third image above shows male tabacco harvesters that have finished work for the day. They all wear work barongs or camisa de chino, work pants, and either putong or salakot on their heads.