Cover Local artisan adding calado embroidery to a piña textile in the documentary, ‘Segunda Pulo’ (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Local artisan adding calado embroidery to a piña textile in the documentary, ‘Segunda Pulo’ (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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Seth Gagahina’s ‘Segunda Pulo’ takes viewers inside the world of Filipino artisans, showing how every stitch of the Barong Tagalog and Terno carries history, identity and pride
A delicate piña fibre rests between two hands, almost vibrating with the patience of years. Across the frame, a Terno takes shape, stitch by stitch, panel by panel. In Segunda Pulo: Filipino Heritage Through the Artisans’ Hands, director Seth Gagahina of The Carrot Brand turns the lens toward the artisans of the Philippines, revealing the “intricate labour” behind national attire, as well as the pride, history and identity it carries. The 25-minute documentary has already travelled from Cannes Lions 2025 to the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert Festival in Dubai, and now finds itself on display at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, where it forms part of an exhibition on Aklan piña handloom weaving.
“Segunda Pulo was born out of both longing and responsibility: longing for a deeper connection to my roots, and the responsibility to carry our heritage forward,” Gagahina says. “As Filipinos, we are the living representation of our culture. No matter where we go, who we are will always be shaped by the richness of our history.”
For Gagahina, the film is a record of craft. “I wanted to create more than a documentary. I wanted to share our story with the world, told through the hands of our artisans who embody the spirit of our ancestors in every weave and every stitch.” She calls it a “love letter to the world”, written in textures, colours and traditions meant to instil pride.
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Above Local artisan adding calado embroidery to a piña textile (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Local artisan adding calado embroidery to a piña textile (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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Above Barong Tagalog on display at the exclusive screening of ‘Segunda Pulo’ at Paramount Dubai (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Above Barong Tagalog after the washing process (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Barong Tagalog on display at the exclusive screening of ‘Segunda Pulo’ at Paramount Dubai (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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The documentary takes viewers into the long process of making our national attire. “The making of a Terno or a Barong Tagalog is an intricate journey of eight stages, with the very first step alone requiring nearly 18 months of waiting for the fibre to be ready,” Gagahina explains.
The opening sequence celebrates the Philippines’ most precious fibres, particularly piña, which forms the foundation of the national dress. “The craft is not just in the garment itself, but in the artistry and devotion of each artisan who pours generations of knowledge into every thread,” she says.
In a fast-paced world, Gagahina wanted to slow down and honour the process, which is living proof of the resilience and creativity of our ancestors.
Above Every day route of local artisans to Segunda Pulo (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Every day route of local artisans to Segunda Pulo (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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While the film could have been framed as an allegedly “exotic” spectacle for international audiences, Gagahina was deliberate in avoiding that pitfall.
“The way we approached Segunda Pulo was never about creating spectacle. The storytelling is deeply rooted in archival truths, drawn from our long history, when the Barong Tagalog and the Terno were once everyday attire,” she says. “Each piece takes months (even years) to complete, with artisans pouring their time, talent and heart into every stage. To give justice to these artisans, the film deliberately highlights their devotion and craftsmanship, because I wanted the global stage to understand that our national dress is not just beautiful, it is priceless.”
Above Terno and Barong Tagalog on display at the ‘Segunda Pulo’ exclusive screening (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Above Terno and Barong Tagalog on display at the ‘Segunda Pulo’ exclusive screening (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Terno and Barong Tagalog on display at the ‘Segunda Pulo’ exclusive screening (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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The documentary also confronts the fragility of these traditions in a fast-changing world. “With fast fashion, machines taking over and younger generations showing little interest in learning these traditional crafts, very few artisans remain to carry on this work, and the survival of our national attire is at serious risk,” Gagahina says. For her, Segunda Pulo is as much a call to action as it is a celebration: “This film is not just about craft or awareness but also the voice of the artisans and a message to the next generation.”
One of the sequences that resonates most deeply with Gagahina captures the process of calado, the painstaking hand-embroidered lace. “Watching the artisans at work, I could feel the pride they take in their craft, from their daily routines to crossing rivers just to create a single piece. Every movement, every stitch, is infused with energy, love and dedication,” she recalls. Even artisans who will never travel abroad take pride knowing their work is celebrated on international stages.
Above ‘Segunda Pulo’ official poster (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
Above A local artisan in action, transferring a design to a textile (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
‘Segunda Pulo’ official poster (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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The film came together quickly, yet with deep conviction. “The idea for Segunda Pulo sparked during a meeting with Miss Babylyn Buchan, one of the founders of TERNO by TCG, and our production team at The Carrot Brand. The moment they shared the idea, I strongly believed in it, and without hesitation, I said yes,” Gagahina explains.
Filming began within a week of that discussion, with the crew travelling from Dubai to the Philippines to document artisans. The post-production process took a few months, and by May 2023, it premiered at Paramount Dubai, attended by press, diplomats and the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Alfonso Ferdinand A Ver. “For us, this is not a one-time project, but the beginning of a continuing journey,” she says.
When asked what she hopes audiences carry with them after the credits, Gagahina is unambiguous. “I want them to recognise the immense pride of being Filipino, and the dedication, passion, time and energy that artisans pour into each piece. It is more than clothing; it is identity, a living manifestation of the sacrifices of our heroes and a symbol of what it means to be Filipino,” she says. “Wearing one is not just a celebration of their livelihood—it is a declaration of pride in your identity, knowing that each piece was created with immense passion, devotion and love. When you wear it, you should be proud to say: ‘I am Filipino.’”
Above The Carrot Brand founder and director Seth Gagahina (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
The Carrot Brand founder and director Seth Gagahina (Photo: courtesy of the Carrot Brand)
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“The craft is not just in the garment itself, but in the artistry and devotion of each artisan who pours generations of knowledge into every thread. In a fast-paced world, I wanted to slow down and honour this process, because it is living proof of the resilience and creativity of our ancestors”
In its 25 minutes, Segunda Pulo traces history and heritage, capturing a moment where artistry and identity intersect. For Gagahina, the documentary invites all Filipinos to do more than observe culture: “Segunda Pulo encourages us to wear our heritage with pride—not merely as garments, but as acts of honour, declarations of identity and celebrations of the enduring spirit of the Philippines.”
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
