Ilokana master weaver, ‘living treasure’ celebrates 100th birthday

Laoag City—Magdalena G. Gamayo, an Ilokana master weaver and a national living treasure from Pinili town in Ilocos Norte, celebrated her 100^th  birthday on Aug. 13, 2024.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines, in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), organized an event at the Plaza Del Norte in Paoay to celebrate and honor Gamayo's centennial birth.

"Nana Daleng," as she is fondly called by her provincemates, is one of the country's most revered cultural icons and a living embodiment of Filipino artistry and tradition. She started weaving hand-spun threads into her exclusive patterns and intricate designs at 16, allowing her to master traditional Ilokano weaving with excellence. In 2012, she was conferred with Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan by the NCCA.

At 100, she continues her passion and dedication by training hundreds of young Ilokano weavers, a testament to her commitment to preserving and ensuring the survival and relevance of inabel tradition in Ilocos Norte for future generations.

Meanwhile, in his opening speech during the celebration, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc remarked, "Nana Magdalena [is] a true icon and the quintessential Ilokana – someone who represents the very best in the province of Ilocos and the very best of all of us Ilokanos."

Manotoc also assured to give his full support to the centenarian and the weaving industry in the province, saying:

"Sa amin po sa PGIN, we promise to do more for you. We can and must do more for Nana Magdalena and all the weavers in Pinili and all the weavers in Ilocos Norte. Nandito lang po ako to support all our weavers in our great province."

The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office also conducted a pre-birthday fashion show event to showcase Nana Daleng's iconic inabel textiles, with local models daunting the works of Ilokano designers.

PGIN has continued to support local artists and creatives to safeguard the province's cultural identity, elevate its traditions, and strengthen Ilocos Norte's position as a premier cultural and heritage destination. In 2023, the provincial government inaugurated the Pinili Inabel Center in Nana Daleng’s hometown.

 

100 young trainees

To mark Nana Daleng’s natal day, at least 100 young trainees, mostly from Pinili, Ilocos Norte, are expected to graduate from an 80-hour basic and advanced level weaving training, the first batch of which, composed of 16 learners from the Sacritan Integrated School-Pinili, which started in January.

The graduates will get certificates of completion from the NCCA during the culmination program while wearing their inabel turned into sablay that will be awarded and worn by each trainee.

“Over 100 learners are expected to graduate this month,” said Dr. Edwin Antonio, head of NCCA's national committee for Northern Luzon and program training director for abel weaving.

Antonio said NCCA, in collaboration with local government units and the Department of Education, continues to invest in training the youth and pass on this cultural treasure.

Earlier this week, Ilocos Norte 2^nd District Rep. Angelo Barba also introduced House Resolution No. 1859 to honor and recognize Gamayo’s legacy.

“It is with pride and honor that we celebrate and recognize the life and works of Nana Magdalena Gamayo to further inspire the younger generation,” the resolution reads.

Through the initiatives of Barba, the provincial government, and the Department of Public Works and Highways, an inabel weaving center is now built next to Gamayo’s old house in Pinili.

Gamayo donated a portion of her family-owned lot for the building, which has become an added attraction to tourists, particularly those who are arts and textile enthusiasts. (Leilanie G. Adriano, PGIN-CMO)