The UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (MACH) continues to enrich its growing collection with the recent donation of two exquisite beaded Filipiniana gowns designed by Judith Goco Borja, a renowned Ilongga couturier who rose to prominence among circles of Ilonggo high society in the mid-to-late 20th century.
The gowns were donated by Ms. Maria Liza Ledesma Young-Ginting, an alumna of UP Visayas and a member of the Theater Arts Guild of UP College Iloilo (TAGUPCI). The pieces once belonged to her mother, who wore them at significant social functions and formal occasions, making them not only works of art but also cherished family heirlooms.
Before establishing herself in the fashion industry, Mrs. Borja worked as a teacher in Banate, Iloilo. She later pursued formal training in dressmaking and design at the Madonna Fashion Institute in Iloilo. Armed with skill and vision, she founded the Borja House of Fashion in La Paz, Iloilo City.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, prominent Ilonggo families frequented her atelier to commission gowns for milestone events. She became especially known for creating gowns for fiesta queens and wedding dresses for daughters of distinguished families in Iloilo. Her craftsmanship and refined aesthetic earned her a lasting place in the region’s cultural and fashion history.
The Deed of Donation was formally signed at the UPV Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) Talapuan Conference Room. UP Visayas Chancellor Clement C. Camposano signed on behalf of the University, while Prof. Martin G. Genodepa, Director of OICA, received the donation and signed as witness together with Mr. Joseph Albaña, TAGUPCI alumnus and longtime friend of the donor. Also present at the ceremony was Ms. Genoveva Borja Zerrudo, granddaughter of Mrs. Borja, who authenticated one of the gowns.
The newly donated gowns will soon be exhibited at UPV MACH, where they will continue to tell stories of Ilonggo heritage, artistry, and elegance for generations to come.
Written by UPV OICA
Photos by Alven Polido, IPO
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