Passionate lovers of the Arts & Culture gathered at the SM Lanang Premier last August 20, 2023, for the launching of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) special exhibition dubbed as “Panaglaga Ti Lagda: Weave Transcending Time.” SM Lanang Premier and the NCCA partnered with the Davao City Government to showcase the textiles woven by the Manlilikha ng Bayan 2012 (MB) Magdalena Gamayo.
“This is a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Fashion Exhibition that aims to bridge the knowledge on our indigenous weaving tradition and innovation as it significantly underscores the need to enhance the resilience of the ties that link traditions and modernity. The exhibition celebrates the life and works of Manlilikha ng Bayan Magdalena Galinato Gamayo. With Mindanao’s thriving fashion scene, two renowned Davao fashion designers transform Gamayo’s masterworks into creative pieces in accord with the respectful treatment of indigenous expressions within Filipino mass societies,” informed Oscar G. Casaysay, the Executive Director of NCCA, who is known for celebrating culture and the arts at the heart of his life work. With the NCCA group who came to Davao was Dr. Felipe de Leon, Jr., a respected former professor of Art Studies in UP Diliman, who is presently the Chairman of the NCCA’s Committee on Intangible Heritage.
On the other hand, Magdalena G. Gamayo of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, is reputed to be a talented weaver with modern sensibility. She has a wide range of designs carried out masterfully using rare techniques making her fabrics refined and timeless. Indeed, her masterworks reflect her well-learned skills and color sensitivity. Gamayo is a master weaver of Inabel weaving who was conferred the title of Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure) in 2012. Inabel or Abel Iloko is a woven cloth produced on the Ilocano wooden handloom equipped with a pedal and is quite well-known for its softness, design techniques, and durability.
The special exhibition which runs from August 20-25, 2023, opened to the public with a fashion exhibition at the SM Lanang Atrium featuring the runway show fashion collections of Davaoeno designers Neil Jimlanni (Molino Ti Angin) and Mark Sayad (Inspirations of the San Pedro Cathedral) who both used Gamayo’s inabel woven fabrics. The fashion show was headed by Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 1st Runner Up and fashion model Nicole Cordoves along with the Glam Models of Jon Nunez.
NCCA, together with SM Lanang and the Davao City Government, aims to elevate appreciation in Filipino masterpieces and at the same time, promote the world class works of our homegrown talents through the six day event. The fashion exhibition also places importance on showcasing the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan and its current roster of awardees while celebrating the works of MB Magdalena Magdayo.
As King Charles once said, “The textile arts from the different indigenous communities in the Philippines are a testament to the knowledge and to the universal principles that bind Man and Nature with their divine Source. Many of the textiles were created as part of ritual and ceremony and to enhance the character and virtue of those who wear them.”
“Through this partnership, NCCA, SM Lanang , and the Davao City Government advocate for collaboration between designers and folk/local artisans and raise the appreciation for locally-made arts/crafts/products.
“The Weave Transcending Time exhibition campaigns to carve into public consciousness the Filipino weaving traditions that continue to live on to this day. Through this, it aims to introduce this tradition to the newer generation so that they may learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage and embrace and appreciate it,” said NCCA Exec. Dir. Oscar G. Casaysay in closing.
Hoping for more cultural shows in Davao these coming months. Congratulations to the NCCA, SM Lanang and the Davao City Government for the cultural encouragement in the promotion and revitalization of the traditional arts.
