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Alampay&#160;(shawl), Pineapple fibre and silk, Philippines, National Museum Collection – IMG 7628. © National Museum Collection/Yohana Frias (NMP). These shawls dyed with organic materials are made using a kind of open-work weaving technique called&#160;rengue&#160;to create a gauze-like cloth, woven in Kalibo, Aklan using&#160;piña-seda&#160;(pineapple and silk) fibers.  The first description of the pineapple – Ananas comosus – reached Europe in 1493 in the records from thevoyage that took Christopher Columbus to the islands of Central America.Likened to an artichoke, the fruit delighted the seafarers. Too sensitive tosurvive the lengthy ocean crossing, it arrived at the court of the CatholicMonarchs in the form of a conserve. Throughout the 16th century missionaries, chroniclers and voyagers posted to, or travelling through, South America praised the flavour, aroma and medicinal qualities of this fruit. Probably native from the interior region of Brazil and Paraguay, the pineapple had followed the indigenous populations in their seasonal dislocations since ancient times. Prized by Portuguese sailors, it accompanied them on their maritime crossings. As a result, it was propagated at the freshwater stopping points and trading posts through which the boats passed. This early diffusion of the species from America to Asia is testament to the high esteem in which the fruit was held. The pineapple was taken to the Filipino archipelago by the Spanish inthe 1570s. On these islands, the local populations had an age-old tradition intextile production, creating fabrics from cotton, banana-tree and palm-treefibres and had no trouble introducing a new fibre onto their looms.The island that proved itself most suited to pineapple cultivation appearsto have been present-day Panay. In the Province of Aklan the elites seem to have encouraged, from the 17thcentury onwards, the production of pineapple fibre fabrics, lace and embroidery.As such, the missionaries would have been reliant upon the skills of the localpeoples. At the monasteries and convents which were founded in the region,weaving and embroidery ateliers were set up, alongside the schools for the teachingof doctrine, reading and writing). Panyo&#160;(Handkerchief), Pineapple fibre and silk, Philippines, National Museum Collection, IMG nº 7611. © National Museum Collection/Yohana Frias (NMP)Four handwoven handkerchiefs embroidered with floral designs, woven in Kalibo, Aklan using&#160;piña-seda&#160;(pineapple and silk) fibers, embroidered in Lumban, Laguna using cotton threads. &#160; Regular contact between Acapulco and Manila fostered commercial tradebetween Asia and the Spanish colonial possessions. The subsequent arrival ofChinese traders and craftsmen in Manila brought with it the expertise andartistic refinement of Eastern weavers and embroiderers to the archipelago. Thehandkerchiefs, pañuelos and lace mantillas produced on these distant islandsrivalled the most exquisite Flemish or French lace in their delicacy. &#160;The skilful needlework of these youngFilipinos girls resulted in the production of fine woven scarves and embroiderymade from pineapple fibre.Aboard the Manila Galleons and crossing the Atlantic, these elegant itemswould arrive in Europe where they were coveted by queens, princesses, ladies-in-waitingand aristocratic ladies. Panyo&#160;(Handkerchief), Pineapple fibre and silk, Philippines, National Museum Collection, IMG nº 7607. © National Museum Collection/Yohana Frias (NMP) Throughout the second half of the 18th century the supplydiversified. The interest shown by aristocrats and European sovereigns inacquiring refined Filipino embroideries led to an unprecedented investment inthe production of these delicate pieces. Deemed worthy of society’s mostdistinguished, many sought to acquire and offer them as expensive gifts. Royaland aristocratic houses were amongst the most prestigious buyers of theseexquisite pieces. In modern times, clothing made from pineapple fibre is a fundamental part of the Filipino identity. At official ceremonies and national festivities, items of clothing produced from pineapple fibre by the skilled hands of local artisans are essential elements in the attire of both the elite and the general public.  Tambor (embroidery process), Philippines, National Museum Collection, DSC nº 1228. © National Museum Collection/Yohana Frias (NMP) The floral design in focus was made using the tapado (embossed)technique where initial stitches are made to form the bituka (intestines) of the leaf design, before putting satin stitches on top of it to make an embossed finish, woven in Kalibo, Aklan using piña-seda (pineapple and silk) fibers, embroidered in Lumban, Laguna using cotton threads.  References:Carvalho, L. M.; Fernandes, F. M. &#38; Zable, S. (2009) “The collection of Pineapple fibers – Ananas comosus (Bromeliaceae) – at the Harvard University Herbaria” Harvard Papers in Botany, 14, (2): 105-109.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250181924_The_Collection_of_Pineapple_Fibers-_Ananas_comosus_Bromeliaceae-at_the_Harvard_University_Herbaria Collins, J.L. (1960) Thepineapple: botany, cultivation and utilization, London, L. Hill.Davis, M. (1991) “Piña fabric of the Philippines”, Arts of Asia, 21 (5): 125-129.Ehrman, E. ed. (2018) Fashioned from Nature, Victoria and Albert Museum London.Milgram, B. Lynne (2005) “Piña cloth, identity and the project of Philippine nationalism”, Asian Studies Review, 29 (3): 223-246.Montinola, L. R. (1991) Piña, Amon Foundation, Manila.Acknowledgement: Yohana Frias, Researcher at the National Museum of Philippines