Philipines "Maria Clara" outfit from the colonial period The Maria Clara dress is an elegant formal outfit for women that symbolizes the virtues and nobility of a Filipino woman. It is named for a mestiza character in the 19th Century novel, Noli Me Tangere, written by Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. The Maria Clara gown is considered a mestiza dress because it is an ensemble combining Filipino and Spanish influences and is an elaboration of the baro’t saya, the unofficial national dress for women that developed during Spanish colonization. The baro’t saya developed over time as women added a Spanish influenced blouse (baro) and changed their short wrap around skirt to the long modern skirt (saya).