Jozel Ignes and the Revival of Ilonggo Culture
Jozel Ignes’ decision to return to his hometown of Santo Niño in South Cotabato stands out as one of the best choices he has ever made. Driven by a desire to uplift his humble town, Ignes uses fashion design not only as a means of giving back but also as a platform to showcase the unique charm of Santo Niño town. From a young age, Ignes knew he wanted to become a fashion designer, inspired by his cousin who was already in the field. Initially, he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Painting at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. However, after a year, he realized that painting did not fully satisfy his creative aspirations. He longed to bring his visions to life on fabric rather than canvas. Ignes persuaded his father to let him switch programs, eventually gaining his approval to transfer. He then enrolled at the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) in Davao City, where he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) major in Fashion Design. During his college years in Davao, Ignes
