Sponsorship Speech of Senator Legarda | Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act | 29 September 2025

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:

In the Philippines, weaving is not just a craft. It is a living thread that binds our identity, tells our stories, and breathes life into our communities.

Among the many weaving traditions that give color and dignity to our heritage, the weaving of piña has been recognized as the “Mother of all Philippine Textiles” and the “Queen of Philippine Handwoven Textiles.”

From the delicate extraction of fibers from the inner leaves of the red Spanish pineapple or pinya bisaya, to the patient hands that spin, dye, and weave, piña embodies the creativity and perseverance of our people. It is a tradition that took root in Aklan in the 1570s, nurtured by generations, and carried forward to this day.
On December 6, 2023, UNESCO inscribed the craft and tradition of Aklan Piña handloom weaving in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is an affirmation to the world of what we, as Filipinos, have always known: that our heritage is not a static relic of the past, but a living tradition that continues to sustain, inspire, and empower.

However, recognition is not enough. Our responsibility is to ensure that this weaving tradition, being both a cultural treasure and economic lifeline, will not only survive, but also flourish.

Piña weaving is not simply about fine garments displayed in museums. It is about farmers cultivating red Spanish pineapple in our lands, and the continuity of indigenous knowledge that has endured colonization, modernity, and neglect.

This is the spirit behind the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act. The measure proposes the establishment of the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Center in Kalibo, Aklan — an institution devoted to ensuring that this weaving tradition, inscribed by UNESCO in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will not fade, but thrive.

The Center envisions itself not merely as a place of conservation where stories and skills are preserved, but also a training ground where the youth shall learn from master weavers, as well as a support system for farmers cultivating the very plants that give life to the fabric.

The Center shall also serve as a hub of research and innovation where science and design meet heritage, and a bridge to tourism and markets to uplift community livelihoods.

By passing this measure, we safeguard not only a centuries-old tradition but also its future as a living heritage, a source of pride, and a viable livelihood.

Mr. President, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. Through it, we honor Aklan and our weaving communities. We honor the Filipino spirit that finds strength in threads that bind us — threads that tell our story to the world.

Thank you, Mr. President.