Legarda Lauds Weaving Communities’ Efforts in Preserving PHL Culture

April 26, 2012

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY LAUDED WEAVING COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY FOR PRESERVING THE TRADITION OF WEAVING AS SHE ENCOURAGED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT SUCH INITIATIVES.
Legarda made the statement as she witnessed the turn-over of the Balungis Trading Center, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to the Malapatan Municipal Government in Sarangani Province. The event also included the turn-over of handlooms and other weaving materials to the Balungis Women’s Association.
“To the members of the Balungis Women’s Association, I laud you for keeping the tradition of weaving alive, for passing on the skill to your children, and for choosing this industry to be part of your daily living. We have many other weaving communities in various parts of the country and I send the same commendation to them as they continue the tradition of creating world-class garments,” she said.
“I also enjoin local governments to support the weaving industry as part of efforts to safeguard our heritage. Together, let us preserve our traditions and bring our culture into full bloom again,” the Senator stressed.
Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, has spearheaded several programs to preserve and promote the Filipino culture and heritage.
Among the Senator’s latest projects include the Textile Galleries at the National Museum that showcase the country’s extensive collection of traditional garments made by weavers from various indigenous communities; and the Senator Loren Legarda Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, which aims to enrich the citizens’ knowledge on tropical fabrics and the culture of weaving.
“Through these efforts, we hope to revive in every Filipino the love for our culture and heritage,” Legarda concluded.