Legarda Invites Filipinos to Traditional Lao Weaving Lecture and Demo

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda invited Filipinos to visit the Hibla ng Lahing Filipinogallery at the National Museum in Manila for a lecture and weaving demonstration on traditional Lao weaving on January 8 and 9, 2015.

Legarda said that Madame Keobounma Phetmalayvanh, Director-General of the Lao National Museum, will give a lecture on January 8, 10:00-11:30 am, while Madame Keomoungkhoun Chansamone and Madame Nanthavongdouangsy Kongthong will demonstrate traditional Lao weaving on January 8 and 9, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

“After witnessing various weaving traditions in our country, we also look into the weaving practices and remarkable artistry of our neighbors in Southeast Asia. Lao is known for the outstanding intricacy and splendor of its handloom textiles. We are glad that they will be sharing with us their weaving traditions,” said Legarda, patron ofHibla, the country’s first permanent textile gallery.

According to the National Museum, Laotian textile products are made using a variety of techniques, including ikat (resist dye process), chok (discontinuous supplementary weft), khit (continuous supplementary weft), yiab ko (tapestry weft) and ta muk(continuous supplementary warp). They are also famous for their natural dyes made of indigo, saffron, lac and terra cotta.

“I invite Filipinos to attend the lecture and weaving demo by our Laotian neighbors so we can also appreciate their artistry and craft,” said Legarda.

The event is part of the Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, which Legarda, in partnership with the National Museum, initiated since 2012 to perpetuate weaving and indigenous knowledge.

Previous demonstrators include the Ifugao weavers from Kiangan; the Kalinga weavers from Mabilong Weaving Center of Buscalan; weavers from Samoki, Mountain Province;sinamay weavers from Arevalo, Iloilo; the Panay Bukidnons who showed their panubokembroidery; patadyong weavers from the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique; weavers from the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City; Mandaya weavers from Caraga, Davao Oriental; T’boli weavers from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; and Tausug weavers from Lagasan, Parang, Sulu.