Weaving Words and Fabrics: Legarda leads launch of Cultural Milestones in Antique

Senator Loren Legarda emphasized the importance of culture in shaping national identity during the back-to-back launching of two significant cultural initiatives at the Old Capitol Building in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on July 16, 2025.

The events marked the launch of Lemlunay: Pagunita sa Gunita, a collection of poems by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, with English translations by poet Marne Kilates, and the opening of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery: Paghabül sa Antique. Both projects were made possible with the support of Senator Legarda, known for her longstanding work in promoting Philippine culture and heritage.

“Culture is our lifeline. Ang pagbibigay-buhay sa kultura ay pagbibigay-buhay sa bawat Pilipino. Dahil sa bawat sining at kultura na ating binibigyan ng halaga, may isang komunidad na nabibigyan ng pagkakakilanlan, kabuhayan, at dignidad,” Legarda said during her remarks.

Now permanently housed at the restored Old Capitol Building in San Jose de Buenavista, the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery: Paghabül sa Antique presents the province’s weaving traditions, which have been passed down through generations and existed long before colonial times.

The four-term Antiqueña Senator also emphasized how heritage can serve as a pathway to sustainable development and empowerment at the community level. For Legarda, the establishment of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery in the restored Old Capitol Building underscores the meaningful intersection of heritage and progress, transforming a historical landmark into a living cultural space that honors Antique’s past while grounding its weaving traditions in the present.

“The restoration of this Old Capitol building is my way of showing my kasimanwa that progress does not mean letting go of the past. It means embracing it, honoring it, and building on it,” Legarda said.

The gallery features Antiques’ local textiles and the craftsmanship of its weavers, whose knowledge continues to contribute to cultural preservation and economic resilience. Legarda is the author of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law and has supported weaving communities across the country through the provision of raw materials, equipment, and capacity-building programs.

On the same day, the book launch of Lemlunay: Paggunita sa Gunita was held, celebrating the work of National Artist Virgilio Almario. The title Lemlunay comes from a T’boli word meaning “paradise,” setting the tone for a reflective collection that intertwines personal and collective history.

“Sa bawat pahina ng aklat na ito, nabibigyan ng buhay ang mga gunita ng ating nakaraan—mga kasangkapan, sagisag, at pangarap ng ating bayan,” Legarda said.

“Ang ating kinabukasan ay parte at hinubog ng ating nakaraan. Kailangang balikan ang gunita upang marating ang mas malalim na pagkilala sa ating sarili at sa ating bayan,” she added.

She also remarked on the continued relevance of literary works in the modern world, saying that “sa mundong binago ng teknolohiya, kung saan ang bawat pangungusap ay maaaring mabura, mabaluktot, o mawalay sa tunay nalayon, nawa’y muling mapukaw ng aklat na ito ang ating pananabik sa Lemlunay—isang paraisong sumasalamin sa kapayapaan, alaala, kultura at pagka-Pilipino.

The events reflect Senator Legarda’s broader cultural programs that support both tangible and intangible heritage, from indigenous traditions to contemporary Filipino literature.

In her message to the local community and the broader public, Legarda stressed the importance of creating inclusive spaces that honor culture and encourage participation.

“I want to be remembered as someone who gave life to what was fading, someone who stood beside the weaver, the farmer, the artisan, and gave them a voice,” Legarda concluded. (30)