In a tribute to his grandmother’s home where sampaguitas bloom in her garden, Pangako looks back to the past while moving forward with new promise
There’s something about the way memories return to us, especially the ones from our childhood—those sights, scents, and sounds that define our present. It’s the way the smell of freshly baked bread can transport us to a grandmother’s kitchen, or the sight of an old photograph can carry us back to simpler days. In his 15th anniversary collection, Pangako, Jot Losa recalls his memories of nature in his grandmother’s house, where Sampaguita flowers lie in her yard. These memories, like roots beneath the surface, nurture his creative spirit through the familiarity of his life.
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“It’s like coming home to our Lola,” the designer says, his eyes lighting up as he remembers his childhood in Cavite. “You smell the Sampaguita. It’s very nostalgic.” The fragrance of the small but powerful flower is present throughout the collection, enhanced in some garments. The flower is represented through sheer fabrics and light, flowing silhouettes—an homage to the fragility of memory itself. “Even though it’s small, it could inspire a lot of people,” Losa muses. “One small flower can inspire artists. Isn’t that powerful?”
Pangako, which means promise, represents Losa’s progress as a designer. Building a collection of 42 pieces is hard work for Losa, as it meant revisiting the past and reflecting on his growth. “It was like remembering my journey,” he says, explaining how his techniques, embroideries, and attention to detail from past collections came together in this one.
“It’s a summary of my 15 years as a designer,” he states. From the reinvention of the barong in 2011 to his creative growth through the years, Losa’s designs continue to offer fresh takes on classic pieces, and then allowing them to bloom naturally.
White and earthy tones are punctuated with denim blues and leafy greens, echoing the natural beauty of Losa’s youth. The collection shifts between light and substantial, pairing sheer fabrics with flowers and 3D elements, while grounding the look in structured denim.
As if plucked from his garden—physical or memory—tiny Sampaguita appliqués appear on everything from airy dresses to the side seams of denim bell bottoms. Losa’s romantic aesthetic takes a turn here, evolving into a vision for today’s woman: classic, but with a contemporary spirit.
The venue, too, is a part of his memories. San Juan City Hall becomes a poignant space of how far he’s come. “This is where my dreams as a designer started,” he shares. “I’ve done shows in Manila and abroad, but there’s something special about doing it here, where it all began.” In its minimalist interiors, which Losa calls a ‘perfect blank canvas’, the space becomes a vision for the future: limitless.
As Losa reflects on his 15-year journey, he offers advice to his younger self: “Dream big. It’s not impossible to dream. Always look on the positive side, follow your heart, and follow your passion.” His remarks match the theme that runs throughout the collection: a promise to continue growing, to remain true to oneself, and to carry the lessons of the past into the future.
Pangako is a full-circle moment for Losa, a return to where it all began, both in the city of San Juan and in the memories of his grandmother’s house. And as he looks ahead, the promise of what’s to come is as delicate, yet as powerful, as the Sampaguita itself—small in form, yet limitless in its impact.
Photographed by KIM MONTES
