Episode 196 – Dust Your Shoulders Out: Melissa Magsaysay on Filipino Fashion

This Filipino American Life

Many of us have grown up seeing women in our lives rock the duster around the house. The piece of apparel is synonymous with traditionally women’s work. But what if the duster could be updated? What would that look like? In this episode the TFAL Crew, sans food appreciator Ryan Carpio, have an intimate conversation with author and journalist Melissa Magsaysay about Filipino/Filipino American fashion, her family’s history with the barong, and her new brand Duster @shopduster.

Check out Melissa’s article about the barong on CNN: https://www.cnn.com/style/filipino-american-fashion-barong-history/index.html

Also here is a link to Mambo Magsaysay, a political jingle we mention in the episode.: https://youtu.be/7Xl5RQcyVYQ?si=bly3R2roLpc3AFQ4

Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here.

Where do you wear a barong these days? Are you going to picking up a piece from Duster? Did your Lolo and Lola do the Mambo Magsaysay? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at [e-mail].