Loren Legarda Lecture Explores Textiles of Davao's Bagobo Tagabawa

The third lecture of The Senator Loren Legarda (SLL) Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge at the National Museum today explored the unique textiles of Davao's Bagobo Tagabawa.

"We have explored and unraveled the living traditions of the Bagobo Tagabawa Community. We have been shown ways that have survived hundreds of years, and ideas that have defined a community," she remarked.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, has supported the development of the cultural village of the Bagobo Tagabawas and the various activities of the Tudaya School of Living Tradition, which teach the young generation the traditional arts, crafts, music and practices of the village.

For the third lecture of the SLL Lecture Series, the Senator saw it fit to highlight the success of such program as a way to invite others to appreciate, preserve, and propagate the traditional arts and crafts from different SLTs across the country.

"We organized this lecture series on Philippine traditional textiles in hope of renewing interest and appreciation in our weaving customs, which are symbols of our identity," she explained.

The lecture, delivered by Ms. Sonja Villarica Garcia, focused on the Bagobo Tagabawa ethnic group who reside on the foothills of Mt. Apo, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Bagobo Master Weaver Ines Pandian, Inabal Weaver Limin Antala, and Abaca Fiber Dyer Renante Cabales were special guests.

"The Tudaya School of Living Tradition of the Bagobo Tagabawa Community, along with other Schools of Living Traditions, links us to many of the forgotten facets of our identity. It is my fervent hope that through our collective efforts, we will ensure that these facets will be discovered and rediscovered," Legarda stressed.

Aside from the Bagobo Tagabawas, the Senator also supported the development of the cultural villages of the Ata-Talaingod, the Mandayas, and the B'laan as well as the activities of their SLTs.