When people think of Cebu, they think of creativity, mostly in the form of visual art, world-class furniture, jewelry, food, and postcard-perfect scenery.
Historically, Cebu lacked a distinct identity in the fashion industry, especially when it came to indigenous textiles. Unlike other Philippine regions known for specific fabrics—like piña from Iloilo or t’nalak from Mindanao—Cebu didn’t have a signature textile to call its own. This began to change with initiatives aimed at reviving traditional weaving practices, such as the hablon weaving in Argao.
Today, Cebu’s fashion landscape has carved out its place, thanks to a vibrant community of homegrown brands and leading designers proudly showcasing Cebuano artistry on runways and beyond.
Among the emerging labels championing this spirit is Curio—a passion project turned thriving brand that stitches together Cebuano pride, playful elegance, and a deep respect for craftsmanship.
Coming Home, Creating Curio
When getting to know or reconnecting with a city, the obvious route is to travel around, visit old favorites, and explore what’s new. But for Danica Marie Ronquillo, owner of Curio, the path looked a little different.
After spending nearly a decade abroad, Danica returned to a Cebu she hardly recognized. It was a homecoming filled with rediscovery—of both her roots and her city’s quiet evolutions.
“Curio has given me the chance to reconnect with my culture and the city that raised me,” she shares.
“Cebu has such a rich culture of pride. Pride in our city, in our work, and most of all, in ourselves. Some may call it hubris, but I think of it as a profound awareness of who we are and our part in the Filipino tapestry. I get to see firsthand how proud our artisans are to create our pieces, and it mirrors my own.”
Danica’s mission is simple but powerful: to showcase Cebuano craftsmanship and ensure that Cebu’s voice is heard just as clearly as those of its neighbors to the north.
A Stitch in Difficult Times
Curio was born not just out of artistic curiosity but out of a desire to build something meaningful, especially at a time when it mattered most.
Founded during the pandemic, when many artisans and craftsmen found themselves struggling, Curio became a lifeline. It became a way to support local communities, preserve traditional skills, and tell Cebuano stories through fabric, pattern, and detail.
More than just fashion, Curio is about community, identity, and pride—woven together, stitch by stitch.
Crafting Curio: The Design Journey
For Danica and her team, creating a piece isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about thoughtful craftsmanship and balancing beauty and functionality every step of the way.
“I wish I could say there’s Disney magic going on behind the scenes. Truth be told, our design process is simple: we find our favorite closet staples and elevate them through our textiles.”
Picking materials is both the most exciting and the most challenging part of the process. Fabrics must drape well, hold up to sewing, and make a statement, without being unwearable. At Curio, there’s no shortage of fun in mixing and matching textures, sometimes creating out-there combinations that somehow just work.
Once the designs are finalized, the pieces are sent to trusted sastres, who bring the Curio vision to life—each piece is lovingly crafted by hand before it finds a home in someone’s closet.
“Clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around,” states Danica. Every piece is wear-tested to ensure it moves with the body, fits comfortably, and lets the wearer feel confident—because beauty without comfort is not Curio’s way.
Rooted in Cebuano Spirit
Cebu’s spirit is stitched into every Curio piece—from the casual confidence to the undeniable spark of humor that Cebuanos carry everywhere.
“The identity of Curio stands out without being loud. I don’t mean in terms of volume—because, let’s be real, Cebuanos laugh the loudest. Our joy is palpable.”
Danica describes Cebu as a place where you can go from sea to summit in tsinelas and still be home in time for dinner. That casual, effortless versatility is at the heart of Curio’s identity: standing out, but never in a way that feels forced.
And when it comes to production, Curio’s artisans aren’t just workers—they’re collaborators. “Our artisans aren’t afraid to express their opinions about the pieces they craft for us. They aren’t just part of a conveyor belt; they’re an integral part of the creative process.” This mutual trust and respect create pieces filled not just with skill but soul.
The Curio Voice: Playful, Proud, Personal
Curio’s brand voice is infused with the same humor and light-heartedness that Danica grew up with—a house full of jokesters, bad puns, and laughter.
“The voice of Curio is definitely enriched by humor and unafraid of a little silliness.”
At the same time, it carries a deep sense of pride.
“‘Gihimo sa Cebu’ is not just a tagline—it’s who I am. To be from Cebu is to be part of a special club. We have a soul. We have spice. We have flavor. It’s the kind of secret sauce you can only understand if truly gihimo ka sa Cebu.”
Small Batches, Big Impact
In a world of mass production, Curio proudly chooses small-batch creation. “We sell uniqueness. When you own a Curio piece, you have something truly rare.”
Producing in small quantities allows Curio to maintain quality, reduce waste, and keep its collections meaningful. Every release is inspired by Cebu’s endless summers, cloudless skies, sea breezes, and that unmistakable feeling of sun on your skin.
What’s Next for Curio?
The future is bright and compact.
Danica and her team are most excited about the upcoming launch of Kalabasitas—a smaller, more portable version of their beloved Kalabasa bags.
“My mama and I come from a family of overstuffed purses filled with emergency bandaids and ‘what if we need it? ‘s. Our bags were always designed with that in mind.”
Kalabasitas embraces a new idea: big things can come in small packages—perfect for carrying the essentials while still staying true to Curio’s playful, practical spirit.
Curio’s journey is just getting started. But stitch by stitch, seam by seam, it’s weaving a beautiful future that is proudly, joyfully, and unmistakably gihimo sa Cebu.
Photography Kyrra Kho
