‘Hibla ng Lahing Filipino’ Spotlights Piña-Seda Weaving, Embroidery in Washington
Members of the ASEAN Women’s Circle–Washington, D.C. (AWC-DC) learn about the rich weaving and embroidering tradition of the Philippines at the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino lecture and weaving demonstration featuring pineapple and silk cloths from the tropics at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 11 JUNE 2018 – As part of the Kalayaan 2018 celebrations and efforts to re-introduce Philippine culture to kababayans in the United States, the Philippine Embassy arranged a week-long line-up of weaving activities for the Washington community, led by a delegation from the National Museum of the Philippines.
Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez led the inauguration of Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Traveling exhibition at the Philippine Chancery Annex on 10 June 2018.
“Born out of the passion and dedicated efforts of Senator Loren Legarda and the National Museum of the Philippines, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino is the country’s first permanent textile gallery that highlights the indigenous artistry of Filipinos through traditional textiles,” Ambassador Romualdez said in a statement.
At a lecture held at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building on 11 June 2018, the members of the ASEAN-Women’s Circle–Washington D.C. were introduced to traditions that have been passed on from one generation to the next within the families of the expert weavers and embroiderers of Kalibo, Aklan and Lumban, Laguna, respectively.
After the lecture, the ASEAN ladies and spouses also participated in a workshop, where they had the chance to do their own embroidery based on available designs provided by the National Museum team. Some ladies, including Madame Soumaly Sayavongs, spouse of Lao PDR Ambassador Mai Sayavongs, also tried her hand at weaving using the loom displayed at the exhibit.
“We are privileged and honored to be the first venue of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino traveling exhibition here in the United States. It presents us a unique opportunity to highlight and share our indigenous Filipino artistry through our traditional textiles not only with our Washington stakeholders, but also with Filipino and Filipino-American communities in the Metro DC area,” Ambassador Romualdez said.
The delegation from the National Museum of the Philippines was composed by Mr. Jeremy Barns, Director; Dr. Ana Maria Theresa Labrador, Assistant Director; Marites Tauro, researcher; Jessica Marquinez, researcher; Joan Monedo, expert embroiderer; Lilian Theresita Del Valle, expert embroiderer; Rhodora Dela Cruz Sulangi, expert weaver; and Usulita Marte Dela Cruz, expert weaver. END
An embroidery workshop was held at the George Washington University the Textile Museum. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
6th graders of Lasalle Backus Elementary school learn about pineapple and silk fibers from the Philippines at their final Embassy Adoption Program activity held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinUSA @philippinesusa on Twitter.