Legarda brings Aklan Piña handloom weaving to the Senate through an exhibit

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda urges Filipinos to continuously practice deep appreciation towards the beauty of local Filipino piña textiles and fabrics as she graced the opening of the Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving Exhibit at the Senate this National Arts Month.

In cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the exhibit features various piña textiles and pieces of ready-to-wear clothing made from Aklan piña-seda to showcase the rich and thriving tradition of indigenous fabrics in the province.

The Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving was recently inscribed under the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. It was the first ICH from the Philippines to be inscribed within the realm of traditional craftsmanship and the first ICH from the Visayas region to be included in the list.

As a staunch supporter of locally-sourced fabrics and textiles, Legarda expressed delight as Piña weaving continues to receive recognition from many Filipinos amidst modernization, noting the exhibit as an effective way to advance peoples’ interest in this tradition while preserving the rich culture of the Philippines.

“Sa pamamagitan ng eksibit na ito, nawa’y lumalim ang ating pagtingin at pagkilala sa Piña, sa paglikha nito, sa patuloy na pagbabago ng disenyo at paggamit, at higit sa mga lumikha at patuloy na naghahabi nito – mga katauhan sa likod ng isang natatanging identidad at pangagalaga rito,” she conveyed.

“Taglay ng mga habi ang ating mga pinahahalagaha’t mga kuwento – mga salaysay ng pagiging matatag at pagpupursige, ng ating kasanaya’t pagkamalikhain, ng pamilya at komunidad, na siya namang mga sus isa pagpapatuloy at pagpapayabong ng ating mga buhay na dunong,” Legarda continued.

The four-term senator also underscored the piña exhibit as a way to recognize the dedication of Filipino piña farmers and weavers for their efforts in keeping this tradition alive.

“Ang kanilang dedikasyon at patuloy na pagtataguyod ng tradisyon ang siyang nagtaas ng pagkilala sa identidad ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo – na ang haboe nga Piña ay isang patunay sa makasining na buhay,” Legarda said.

For years, Legarda has been consistent with her support towards the culture of weaving, particularly to the Akeanon and Ati Malindog School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Aklan.

In collaboration with NCCA, Legarda spearheaded the creation of the School of Living Traditions and provided programs such as Assistance for Filipino Artisans, the enhanced SLT program, the establishment of weaving, natural dye, and processing centers, as well as the setup of pineapple farms and fiber extraction facilities across various localities. (End)