Ma. is the abbreviated form of the name “Maria.” The name is placed at the beginning of filipina names so often that it has achieved a strange prefix status. It gets shortened because nobody actually goes by Maria. As a result, “Ma.” is either viewed as an unnecessary and annoying appendage or completely ignored (to the point where you probably didn’t know your lola had a “Ma.” in her name.) However, regardless of how much it is noticed or unnoticed in our daily lives, it is everywhere. A part of our own names, our moms names, our titas names, our lolas names. It is a piece that many filipinas share. And so it was the perfect name for us as we explore some of the ~overlooked~ aspects of the Filipina identity. 

Each of Ma.’s pieces are brought to life with locally sourced piña. The uniquely Filipino textile was born during the 17th century after applying native weaving practices to the leaves of red spanish pineapple bushes.  

We chose pina as our primary fabric of choice to revive a part of a Manilenyo tradition that has faded. Piña was worn as everyday attire in Manila until the early 1900s. It had a flourishing life in the city before foreign textiles were developed. But over time, the fabric lost its status as everyday-wear because of the growing availability of cheaper and more comfortable alternatives.  We want to prove that Pina doesn’t have to be itchy, expensive and only worn on fancy occasions. We want to bring back a “life in Pina.”