Silliman University alumnus Dan Ryan Duran, a 2008 Bachelor of Mass Communication (BMC) graduate from Siaton, Negros Oriental, won the grand prize in the Traje de Mestiza category of the Sining ng Ba’ag 2026 Philippine Fashion Design Competition, held on November 7, 2026, at Robinsons Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The competition, part of the annual Subaraw Biodiversity Festival, promotes the use of Ba’ag, a traditional bark cloth produced by the Batak indigenous community of Palawan, in contemporary Filipino fashion.
Duran emerged as the winner in the La Belle Époque (Traje de Mestiza) category, which challenged designers to recreate the traditional Filipino dress inspired by the fashion of 1910 to 1914.
His winning design drew inspiration from the work of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal and incorporated pinakang, a rare type of abaca sinamay produced in Negros Oriental, alongside Ba’ag details. Duran sourced the fabric from Minyang Waro, whom he identified as the province’s last expert pinakang artisan. With the traditional craft at risk of disappearing, Duran and other local designers are helping preserve and revive it by incorporating the fabric into contemporary fashion and promoting its continued use.
The competition featured 12 finalists selected from entries submitted nationwide. Duran, who said he was the only representative from the Visayas since the competition began in 2019, had long wanted to participate in the event.
“I have always wanted to join since its inception before the pandemic,” he said, adding that he submitted his entry when the call for finalists was announced in August 2026.
The competition featured three categories: Art Nouveau, which focused on high-end streetwear; Zarzuela, which highlighted red-carpet fashion; and La Belle Époque, which featured the traditional Traje de Mestiza.
For his Art Nouveau design, Duran drew inspiration from the decorative patterns in Gustav Klimt’s paintings. His Zarzuela entry incorporated theatrical graphic designs and striped clothing associated with Edwardian fashion.
The entries were evaluated by a panel of established Filipino designers, including Edgar San Diego, Barge Ramos, Steve de Leon, and Kiko Calaquian, along with product designer Rambie Katrina Lim.
For Duran, winning the competition affirmed that artistic talent and craftsmanship can flourish outside the country’s major fashion centers.
“Winning felt like validation and recognition that God-given skill and talent do not necessarily remain in cities and capitals. Sometimes it comes from the mountains like that of Siaton,” he said.
He added that receiving recognition from respected figures in Philippine fashion was particularly meaningful after years of dedication to his craft.
“Having earned the approval of some of the Philippines’ pillars of fashion design, I felt seen and blessed,” he said.
An expert in garment construction, patternmaking, and draping, Duran is also a visual artist. In 2024, he held a solo exhibition at Mugna Gallery, showcasing another dimension of his creative practice.
Duran studied at Silliman from Preparatory School until he completed his BMC degree in 2008. He later received a full scholarship at the School of Fashion and the Arts in Manila.
He was also a winner in the inaugural Ternocon, a national competition organized by Bench and the Cultural Center of the Philippines that celebrates the traditional Filipino terno, where he was mentored by renowned fashion designer Inno Sotto.
His latest achievement highlights the creative potential of regional designers and the importance of preserving traditional Filipino textiles through contemporary fashion.