Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research | Vol. 2, No. 2 | April 2014 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 130 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Embroidery Industry as Tourist Attraction in Taal Batangas, Philippines DEXTER R. BUTED, NORMA L. MEÑEZ, MICHELLE BARUC, JOVITA BORBON dexterbuted2016@gmail.com Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas City 4200 PHILIPPINES Abstract - Taal is renowned for its fine art of embroidery being kept alive by the woman living in the heritage town. The study aimed to determine how the respondents perceive embroidery industry in Taal, Batangas. Descriptive type of research was utilized in the study. Results showed that respondents strongly agreed that human resources in terms of labor were adequate which indicated that multipliers occur in the business wherein, it was not just the tourism industry being benefited by the income coming from the tourist but also it provides employment. In terms of the monthly income of the respondents, most of them got a monthly income of 10,000 – 19,000 when their product establish contact to some extent, rapport with some entrepreneurs by engaging in a small business venture with them through friends who bought embroidery item in a bulk to be sold in the city. The respondents mostly agreed that the needle was the most adequate material resources in making embroidery. As the ways of the government of Taal in promoting embroidery, the respondents mostly agreed that the provincial events contributed to the promotion of embroidery. The promotion of provincial events got the highest weighted mean. Budgetary problem was the main factor for not engaging in embroidery. The respondents strongly agreed that because of changes in the design, modes of production and distribution, cost and materials capital increased. Keywords - Embroidery, Taal Batangas, Heritage Town, Tourism Industry I. INTRODUCTION Philippine embroidery is well known all over the world. Its universal appeal embodies a captivating style with its intricate design and soft hues. Embroidery in the Philippines originated as a hobby among women folk in provinces and barrios. Tourism has social, economic, environmental, cultural, heritage and arts effects on the Municipality of Taal, Batangas (Aguda, et. al, 2013). Embroidery is one of the Filipino traditions wherein women at one point were lavishly praised and loved. For Taal is the hub of barong tagalong making, Taaleños prefer to call it Barong Pilipino in the country. It is an industry that dates back to the American regime at the 19 th century. Embroidery is the pattern of other ornamental effects to a fabric. In the modern sense, embroidery is the decoration made on the finished woven material by the use of needle and thread. As a mean of depicting the culture of a country, embroidery has historic origin and this has official sanction dates back as early as the Spanish educational reform of 1863. Embroidery took the place of geography, history and agriculture in the women’s curriculum. This maybe construct as chauvinism at its worst but at best, the implication is that women are natural born artist and should be given all the time to perfect their talent at this craft. Philippine embroidery is usually done with white cotton thread on imported cotton or linen. The people of Taal also grew cotton of reputable quality and finished them as clothing with beautiful permanent here both men and women were involved in the textile industry. Since people of Taal love embroidery, women and children of this place grow up with the needles, thread and embroidery patterns as ardent fixtures in their environment. Town folks are proud to declare that many houses in Taal were build by embroidery. It continues to be the lifeblood of people who send many young Taaleño to school. Aside for being important to the people of taal, embroidery has become the lifeline of the people; it is also played roles in tourism. Many tourist’s got amazed when they see the different embroidered tablecloth of Taal. Bonsol (2000) declared that embroidering is now included in the town’s school curriculum to preserve one of Taal’s greatest treasures. As interesting as fine needlework are the textile materials on which the fanciful embroidery makes it presence, hand embroidered items have always been much sought after not only linens and garments are available but many small gift items and even picture frames.