‘Hibla ng Lahing Filipino’ Exhibit Opens in New York
(From right) Consul General Claro S. Cristobal, National Museum of the Philippines Director Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr. officially open the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” traveling exhibition at the Philippine Center in New York on 23 July 2018. (Second row) Consul and Philippine Center Manager Arman Talbo and Madam Marilou Cristobal witness the cutting of the ribbon. (New York PCG photo)
NEW YORK 02 August 2018 – Diplomats, artists, designers and members of the Filipino-American Community in New York City graced the opening of the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” (The Artistry of Philippine Textiles) traveling exhibition, lecture series, weaving and embroidery demonstrations and workshops at the Philippine Center in New York on 23 July 2018.
The exhibit in New York is a joint project of Senator Loren Legarda, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, and the Philippine Center.
Guests were treated with a first look of the piña-seda (pineapple and silk) cloth collections of the National Museum, a foot loom or “Tanhaga,” and a collection of fibers from the Philippines. They were given opportunity to weave and embroider with the assistance of Kalibo, Aklan piña-seda weavers represented by Ursulita Dela Cruz and Rhodora Sulangi, and Lumban, Laguna embroiderers Lilian Teresita del Valle and Joan Monedo.
Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and Madame Marilou Cristobal, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., National Museum Assistant Director Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, and Consul and Philippine Center Manager Arman R. Talbo officially opened the exhibit.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Cristobal congratulated the National Museum for its previous successful launch of the traveling exhibit in the United Kingdom in October 2017, and its succeeding exhibits in Spain, Portugal and the United States.
The Consul General also thanked the National Museum and Senator Legarda for considering New York to house the exhibit, and for promoting the artistry and tradition of weaving and embroidering Philippine textiles with the international community, researchers and enthusiasts, as well as with the Filipino-American Community.
In her remarks, Dr. Labrador highlighted that the exhibit is focused on a foremost cultural symbol that Filipinos abroad and at home can be proud of. The strong sense to preserve, build and support the weaving practices of ancestral and traditional textiles, and the appreciation of the skills of our cultural bearers contribute to the fabric that bind the Filipinos together.
She added that the traveling exhibit seeks to present and promote “piña-seda”—the famous pineapple silk cloth of the Philippines, which is unique to the country.
Senator Legarda, through her message read by Dr. Labrador, recalled that “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” was born in 2012 with a vision to create Philippine textile gallery that showcases the indigenous artistry of Filipinos through traditional textiles.
She said that the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” gallery has a bigger home with more textiles and looms at the National Museum of Anthropology and one regional museum in Vigan, with a vision of more regional galleries to come.
The Senator also mentioned that the Hibla gallery, blossomed into many initiatives, including the traveling exhibitions, to bring the challenge of nurturing the Philippine weaving traditions to a wider audience.
A lecture series and weaving and embroidery demonstrations followed the opening the exhibit.
The Consulate General invited women diplomats and members of the Consular Corps, representatives of fashion schools in New York, textile enthusiasts, and members of the Filipino-American Community to the five-day series, where they get to actually embroider a piece of piña cloth under the supervision of expert weavers.
The “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” exhibit is open to the public, and will run until 07 September 2018 at the Philippine Center lobby gallery. END
Members of the Consular Corps, diplomats, artists, designers and members of the Filipino-American Community join Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and Madame Marilou Cristobal during the guided tour at the opening of the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” (The Artistry of Philippine Textiles) traveling exhibition, lecture deries, weaving and embroidery demonstrations and workshops at the Philippine Center on 23 July 2018. (New York PCG photo)
National Museum Assistant Director Dr. Ana Maria Theresa Labrador introduces the weavers from Kalibo, Aklan Ursalita Dela Cruz and Rhodora Siulangi and the embroiderers from Lumban, Laguna Lilian Teresita del Valle and Joan Monedo. (New York PCG photo)
Consul General Claro S. Cristobal joins the guests at the guided tour given by the curatorial team from the National Museum. (New York PCC photo)
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