Rocking the runway. Silpo silpo is among the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises featured during the first La Trinidad Youth and MSME Fashion Show last year.
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — What started as a school project has turned into a stylish and smart clothing brand called Silpo-Silpo, inspired by the Ilocano word for “connecting.”
Behind this innovative idea are three Entrepreneurship students taking up Apparel and Fashion Enterprise at the Benguet State University.
Hanna Lei Pacito, Catherine It-itan, and Sophia Mae Macaraeg, are making waves with their handmade modular garments that allow people to dress based on their style and the weather.
Originally developed as part of their thesis project, the idea was born from a desire to create weather-adaptable clothing.
“First, we had our thesis kung saan. We thought of an innovation or idea—‘yong mga products na ipo-produce namin. Ang innovation that we thought of is the modular garments or ‘yung flexible piece of clothing, and doon namin na-incorporate ‘yong Silpo-silpo,” Pacito shared.
They envisioned using cooling fabric for their designs, but limitations on materials made them rethink their approach. This led to an even better idea: garments that can be easily adjusted to suit the weather and personal comfort.
“Nakita namin ‘yong need ng mga tao for weather-adaptable garments, kunwari pag mainit, puwede mong tanggalin, or ‘pag malamig, maaari mong ibalik ulit—so ganoon ‘yung basic concept ng Silpo- silpo,” said Pacito.
It-itan further explained how their design works in everyday wear.
“’Yung t-shirt po, puwedeng maging sando, o ’yung long-sleeve na shirt maaaring maging regular shirt o sando para magkaroon ng cooling effect o pag mag-change po ’yung weather,” she said.
Every piece from Silpo-silpo is handmade, giving one the freedom to mix and match based on the weather or personal style. This makes it not only sustainable but also a fun way to express oneself—perfect for the growing trend of customizable fashion.
The team also incorporates local woven fabrics such as inabel, adding cultural depth to their innovative creations.
Their hard work has already gained recognition in various competitions and programs.
“Iyong thesis na sinasabi ko kanina, naging entry namin sa BSU Research Congress which garnered first place po,” Pacito shared.
“We reached the Regional Research Congress—3rd place naman—and another one na sinalihan namin is ’yong YEP ng DTI, the Youth Entrepreneurship Program. May mga modules doon about business, and sa end ng program na yon, may business pitching. Sa provincial level, fortunately, nanalo kami ng 1st runner-up and we received prizes like business kits. Umabot kami sa regional business pitching the same year—and doon po, nanalo po kami ng champion,” she added.
These three entrepreneurs continue to improve their products which are being displayed and sold at the Wagwagan Center, and La Trinidad Pasalubong Center in La Trinidad.
While Silpo-silpo is a fashion statement, it also brings people together, celebrating culture, and embracing creativity, all while offering products that are practical, personal, and eco-friendly.(JDP/CVBT with PIA CAR-BSU Intern Clariza Osiang)
