Journey of the Barong Tagalog, Addendum Part 15.3: 19th Century German Artist Illustrations of Life in the Philippines

The illustration shown here is called Bewohner der Philippinen [Inhabitants of the Philippines] (1871). The artist is anonymous/unknown. The subjects are dressed colorfully and ornately as they stand and interact by the shore with a ship in the distant background.

The woman wears a long saya (skirt) with windowpane pattern and flowers, a striped long sleeve baro (blouse) with lace on the folded cuffs, a lace pañuelo (shawl) covering her upper torso and upper arms, a lace mantilla (veil) on her head, and dark slippers on her feet. She carries a book in her left hand.

The man wears wide-legged striped slacks, an embroidered Barong Tagalog with long wide sleeves and lace on the folded cuffs, a metal alloy salakot on his head and leather shoes on his feet. He holds a lit cigarillo in his left hand and an umbrella in his right.

Both subjects wear expensive, fancy clothing to signal their upper class status. They could very well be waiting to travel on a ship.