Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), made a striking appearance at this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA) wearing a "Sampaguita sa Seda" Barong Tagalog, a garment crafted entirely from Philippine Silk. 

The "Sampaguita sa Seda," a full open Barong developed by the DOST - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), is made of 100% Philippine Silk sourced from commercial 𝐵𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑦𝑥 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑖 silkworm hybrid of the Philippine Silkworm Germplasm. The silk was cultivated by the Women Seri-Farmers Group in Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City and processed at the Silk Research and Innovation Center in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

The intricate weaving of the fabric was entrusted to the skilled hands of the ABAI Weaving Community in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental using 21d silk yarns on both the warp and weft. Adding a symbolic touch to the ensemble was the Sampaguita embroidery crafted by Salvador Yasona of Lumban, Laguna, utilizing 360d silk dyed with 𝐶𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑎 𝑠𝑝. (coffee pulp) at the Institute’s Natural Dyes Center.