Muslim lawmaker vows to continue promoting ‘Pis Syabit’

ZAMBOANGA CITY – True to her commitment to promote the rich and colorful culture of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tambut vows to continue her campaign to popularize the “Pis Syabit.”

The Pis Syabit is a one-of-a-kind piece of cloth exclusively woven in Sulu, and which she proudly wore during President Bongbong Marcos’ State of the Nation Address on July 25.

Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tambut with husband Capt. John Tambut during President Bongbong Marcos' State of the National Address on July 25, 2022. (Contributed photos)

Made of cotton or silk, sometimes with metallic gold threads incorporated in the weave, Tambut explained that the Pis Syabit used to be worn by Tausug men during very special occasions as a headdress or a decor hung on one’s shoulder to indicate their high social status. 

“This special cloth made of cotton and often embellished with silk and other threads, is lovingly woven by hand by the artisans of Sulu who do not follow set patterns. It has a glorious history, as it was once worn only by the Tausug males of the upper class. The designs are in the weavers’ minds, thus every piece of cloth is one-of -a-kind,” she said.

Tambut wants to promote the cloth not only to convince more people to sample Sulu’s unique culture  but also to preserve a dying art and give Tausug weavers more livelihood opportunities.

The lawmaker said she has been most passionate about making Filipinos aware of the beauty and uniqueness of Sulu’s culture and products, especially the Pis Syabit.

To demonstrate her deep involvement in promoting the cloth, Tambut has incorporated the Pis Syabit in the clothes she has worn to the SONA since her first term in 2016.

For this year’s SONA, Tambut said she wore a terno with a Pis Syabit bodice and sleeves plus a ribbon of the same material artfully trailing down the skirt. Her gown was designed by designer Francis Libiran.

Her husband, international pilot Capt. John Tambut, who also attended the SONA, wore a Barong Tagalog embroidered on the front with Pis Syabit patterns. The barong was also designed by Libiran.

Asked why she opted for a terno and not a full Tausug costume, Tambut said she agreed with the designer that a terno - a common formal attire of non-Muslim Filipinas -  with a dominant Pis Syabit accent, can  best symbolize the unity that Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte are calling for. “You know, the Tausugs, whether living in Sulu or in other parts of the country, are united in support of the President and the Vice President,” she said.

Last February, Tambut collaborated with top international Filipina designer Ann Ong in promoting the “Pis Syabit” and bringing it to New York City. Tambut sought the help of Ong in promoting not only the Pis Syabit but the Tausug culture as well along with other Philippine designs.  

The Pis syabit being woven by Muslims carries only geometrical patterns because Islam forbids reproducing the likeness of living things, whether human, flora or fauna, she said.

“I will never tire of promoting Pis Syabit and Sulu culture because we want every Filipino to understand the Tausug way of life by being familiar with Sulu’s beautiful and unique culture. Popular acceptance of the cloth is also an effective means of uplifting the economy of the Tausugs,” she said, adding every piece of the colorful and intricately designed Pis Syabit is an original artwork, so anyone who has a Pis Syabit adorning his or her clothes is assured of ownership of an original piece of art that evokes the history and artistry of the Tausugs.

Aside from promoting the Pis Syabit, Tambut also encouraged Filipinos to promote and buy local products to help small and medium enterprises get back on their business which have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Noting the proliferation of cheap, but low-quality imported clothes in the market, Tambut said she wants to start a campaign by encouraging Filipinos to patronize locally-produced clothes and help small retailer stores, as well as local designers recover from their losses due to the health crisis. (Mindanao Examiner)