DFA Conducts “Heritage Talks: Red Cloth Reconsidered” – 2nd in a Series of Lectures on Cultural Heritage in Partnership with HABI: The Philippine Textile Council and Museo ng Kaalamáng Katutubò (MUSKKAT)
(From left to right): MUSKKAT Founder Corazon S. Alvina, HABI Council President Emeritus Adelaida Lim, Guest Speaker Dr. Cheree Quizon, and DFA Office of Cultural Diplomacy Assistant Secretary Celia Anna M. Feria
MANILA 05 July 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Cultural Diplomacy (DFA-OCD), in collaboration with – HABI: The Philippine Textile Council and Museo ng Kaalamáng Katutubò (MUSKKAT), organized the second lecture of the “Heritage Talks” series which was titled Red Cloth Reconsidered. The second lecture was held on 26 June from 3:00 to 5:00 pm online via the Zoom platform.
The guest speaker was Dr. Cherubin “Cheree” Quizon, an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Department Chairperson of Seton Hall University in New Jersey, who discussed the rich traditions of Bagobo weaving and the different symbolism and use of red cloth dye. This vibrant color, a hallmark of their textiles, holds deep significance within Bagobo cultural heritage. She explained the meticulous process of creating the dye, traditionally using natural elements like roots and tree bark, and its application onto the fabric. Her presentation reflects her research in promoting and shedding light on these time-honored techniques, passed down through generations, weaving not just threads but also stories into the very cloth itself.
Foreign Service Posts (FSPs), members of the diplomatic corps, guests from cultural agencies, students from fashion universities, and local weavers in Metro Manila attended the online talk.
The third lecture of the Heritage Talks series titled Itneg: Meaning and Design by Dr. Norma Respicio will be held on 24 July 2024 at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini at the Department of Foreign Affairs at 3:00 pm, and will be livestreamed on the DFA’s Facebook page. END