A GAMABA Virtual Art Exhibit
CEE21
“Patience is needed in this job, because abel-weaving is really hard"
A quote said by Lola Magdalena, who is practically self-taught in terms of creating patterns such as the “kusikos” (spiral forms similar to oranges), “inuritan” (geometric design), and the most challenging “sinan-sabong” (flowers).
The Grandmother of "Abel Iloko"
Magdalena’s calloused hands breathe life to her work and her unique products are testament to how machines can never hope to equal the human art.
A mag-aabel for over 80 years, Magdalena Gamayo learned the craft at the age of 16 by learning the art of weaving from her aunt and imitating the patterns. Magdalena shows innate skills by being self-taught and learning the art through recreating the patterns, leading to her weaving expertise.
Weavers consider the art of weaving as a challenging task where a slight mistake can ruin a design permanently beyond a possible repair. Gamayo, past the age of 80, remains committed and fulfilled in the art of inabel. Her still nimble hands assure that the craft remains existing.
What are GAMABA Artists?
GAMABA Artists in short for Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, is an award given to a person or group of artists by the Philippine Government for their contributions to the country's cultural heritage. This award entails certain categories such as weaving, carving, performance art, literature, etc.
The National Living Treasures Award
The National Living Treasures Award, or Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, honors Filipino traditional craftsmen or artisans whose skills have advanced to a high level of technical and artistic excellence and who are tasked with passing on knowledge that is on the verge of extinction to the next generation. Chairman of the NCCA, Felipe M. De Leon Jr. was the driving force behind the award's establishment. Senators Edgardo J. Angara, Heherson Alvarez, Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Sotero Laurel, and congressman Kate Gordon wrote the bill. President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act No. 7355 on April 3, 1992, establishing the national living treasures, or Manlilikha ng Bayan, as well as the promotion and development of traditional folk arts. The first awarding ceremony for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan was conducted at the Malacaan Palace on December 17, 1993.
Video Credit: NCCA Philippines
Abel Ilokana Exhibit
The Abel-Iloko Exhibition includes wooden equipment used in the manufacture and processing of yarn, frame looms, traditionally made and coloured cotton thread, and handwoven fabrics. The textiles on display display a variety of designs created using various weaving design processes. Weaved fabric and its patterns, which are traditionally regarded as heritage artifacts, represent both the weavers' and buyers' sense of aesthetics and what is culturally significant to them. Some of the cloth is used for ritual purposes in addition to its practical duties as clothes, blankets, and towels.
Tradition in Motion
Meet Lolita Eduerte, a native weaver from Bangar, La Union, who continues to use the traditional loom weaving process. The renowned fabric of the Ilocos Region is Abel Iloco (Inabel). It is well-known for its strength and durability. Despite the industrialization and modernity of the apparel and fabric industries, Coloma Abel is one of the few remaining loom weaving businesses that maintain the traditional fabric alive.
Video Credit: Northbound Asia
