MANILA SHAWL

Manila Shawl is a new triptych work by FakeKnot artistic director and choreographer Ralph Escamillan, created with guitarist and sound designer Eirene Cloma.

It follows the Mantón de Manila, a square shawl commonly associated with Flamenco, through three stages: the Philippine pañuelo, the Spanish Mantón, and the BIG MANTON. The shawl is a product of Spanish colonial trade, where silk from Canton travelled via the Galleon route, met the shape of the pañuelo and Sulu embroidery in the Philippines, and grew popularity being worn by Ghitana women where the Fringe/Flecos were then added, and has become central to Flamenco Dance and Andalusian culture. Despite these influences, the history of Asia and the Philippines are rarely spoken about - and this work hopes to bring forward these histories.

This new work is set to premiere at Vancouver International Flamenco Festival in September of 2028.