Paris: Bayong-ga Ka Day!

      Surprise! Surprise! I thought we were the only Filipinos in Paris. Well, look who’s here....

      I had no way to find out if these bayong stools and chair are indeed from the Philippines but any Filipino can spot them from a mile away.

     Originally made of buri or pandan leaves, this is how they looked like.

    When I was younger the bayong was synonymous to trips to the wet market. I remember my late Lolo Menteng, (grandfather) who was in charge of market day trotting one of these to Nepa-Q-Mart in Cubao every time. In fact as I am writing this I can already smell a hint of fishiness.....Hmmm....

     The bayong has grown up and have taken the shape of designer bags, tapestry, furniture, household items like trays and coasters and yes, the bayong’s fancier versions. Nowadays though they are made of plastic. (Yup, environmentally sad) Nonetheless, I love the bayong still.....Not kidding! Or was yaya cooking fish?

http://www.liyab.com/2011/bayong-from-laguna/

 .....but this is still my fave version, my Lolo/Nepa-Q-Mart one....

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=637824&pa 

   Where in Paris did I see these, you may ask?

     

     At the Galeries Lafayette no less....

     

     Bayong-ga, diba?