Filipino actress and singer Glaiza De Castro shared the romantic inspiration behind the custom barong she wore to the 2026 Gawad Pilipino Babae Ka Awards. In an Instagram post, she revealed the garment was designed by Daryl Maat and intricately embroidered with handwritten love notes from her husband, Irish musician David Rainey.
The awards ceremony, which honors exemplary Filipino women, was held in March 2026. De Castro was recognized for her contributions to the arts and advocacy. Her detailed social media post showed close-ups of the embroidery, which featured phrases and doodles from notes Rainey had written to her.
Designer Daryl Maat confirmed the collaboration, explaining the process of transcribing the personal messages onto the fabric. The barong, a traditional Filipino garment, was crafted from piΓ±a cloth. The story was widely covered by Philippine entertainment and lifestyle news outlets following De Castro's post.
