WEAVING TUTORIAL. Women weavers led by national living treasure Magdalena Gamayo (left) share their passion for inabel weaving in Pinili, Ilocos Norte in this undated photo. To keep the weaving tradition alive, a more spacious weaving center will open on Aug. 13 in Barangay Lumbaan, Pinili in time for the 99th birthday of the master weaver. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Antonio)
LAOAG CITY – Local weavers in the cotton capital of Pinili in Ilocos Norte province will now have a permanent public space to hone their skills and display their “inabel” products as a new building dedicated to preserving and strengthening the Ilocano weaving tradition will formally open on Sunday.
Funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for PHP10 million, the Pinili weaving center is a special tribute to Ilocano master weaver Magdalena Gamayo who is turning 99 on Aug. 13.
Prior to the construction of the new building, Gamayo, who has been named as a national living treasure by the Philippine government in 2012, donated 290 square meter of her family lot in her hometown to the provincial government to make sure the "inabel" weaving tradition will stay through the years, even when she is gone.
At her age, Nana Dalen, as she is fondly called, remains sharp and clear with her conviction that the inabel weaving tradition must be preserved for the future appreciation of younger generations.
With the opening of the new weaving center in Pinili, Gervy James Gumarit, head of the communication and media office under the Ilocos Norte government, expressed hope that the inabel industry will be further strengthened to generate more jobs and benefit more micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the province.
“Aside from holding exhibits for inabel products, the center will also serve as a learning site for younger Ilocanos,” he said in an interview Friday.
In 2019, it may be recalled that the Ilocos Norte government initially allotted PHP4 million for the construction of a weaving center in Pinili town but the plan was put on hold.
In support of the local weavers of Pinili town and to sustain the industry in the coming years, Ilocos Norte (2nd District) Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba was the one who earlier initiated the approval of the budget for it. The DPWH for its part facilitated the construction of the new building. (PNA)
