The origin of the liquiliqui has been the subject of various historiographical interpretations, most notably the thesis linking it to the trade routes of the
Manila Galleon (or Nao de China). these routes connected the
Philippine Islands with the
Viceroyalty of New Spain and, subsequently, the port of
Cartagena de Indias. This theory posits that the attire is a criolla adaptation of Southeast Asian garments, such as the
Barong Tagalog or the traditional jackets of ethnic groups from the Philippine archipelago, like the
Yakan people of
Basilan. The introduction of Asian textiles—documented in colonial cargo manifests as "ropas de la China" (Chinese clothing) or "lienzos de Cantón" (Cantonese linens)—facilitated the evolution of a garment that combined European military structure (the liquette) with the cut and functionality of Pacific apparel, well-suited for the tropical climate of the
Llanos and
Caribbean regions. The morphological similarity between the liquiliqui and Philippine clothing is primarily evident in the use of the mandarin collar (or cuello de tirilla) and the arrangement of the buttons, elements that also influenced the genesis of the
guayabera in the Caribbean basin. Research into the coastal trade between
Acapulco and
Cartagena de Indias suggests that the presence of Asian artisans and sailors in New Granada facilitated the transmission of tailoring techniques and textile patterns. These elements were integrated by the llanero society of
Colombia and
Venezuela, transforming a garment of transoceanic origin into a symbol of regional identity that preserves, to this day, the design characteristics of island gala jackets from Southeast Asia. == Contemporary Interpretations ==