PH Embassy in Portugal Weaves Ties with Municipality of Ferreira Do Alentejo

Signs Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation, Opens Philippine Banig Exhibition

PORTUGAL 13 March 2023 – Amid the colorful and intricate patterns of handwoven banigs from Basey, Samar, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria, together with Ferreira do Alentejo Mayor Luis Antonio Pita, and Dr. David Justino, Rector of the Universidade de Popular signed the Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation between the Philippine Embassy in Portugal and the Camara Municipal of Ferreira do Alentejo on 05 March 2023 at the Universidade Popular, an institutional project of the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo. 

The Signing of the Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation is a manifestation of the commitment of both the Philippine Embassy in Portugal and the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo to further strengthen and advance the existing excellent relations between both its peoples, in particular, in the field of  sustainable weaving traditions. Ferreira do Alentejo is known for its “Cestas de Odivelas” or Baskets of Odivelas. Its tradition of cestaria or basket weaving using natural and dyed reeds found around the municipality is considered an intangible cultural heritage. 

In her remarks, Ambassador Feria underscored the significance of the signing  of the Declaration  as it will provide opportunities for the Philippine Embassy and the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo to promote and exchange ideas and   best practices in the sustainable preservation of their respective  weaving traditions, and  at the same time encourage the sustainable practice of weaving to pass on the techniques and practices to future generations to help keep local traditions and heritage alive.

Ambassador Feria also acknowledged the presence of Ms. Mia Villanueva, President of Habi: Textile Council of the Philippines and Ms. Yael Buencamino Borromeo, former  President of Museum Foundation of the Philippines, two crucial partners of the Philippine Embassy in advocating the promotion of Philippine weaving industries and in creating initiatives to share and exchange best practices and innovative ideas with Ferreira do Alentejo that will help sustain Philippine and Portuguese weaving communities.

The signing of the declaration was immediately followed by the opening of the exhibition, Banig: 500 Anos de Tradição Viva de Tecelagem de Esteiras (Banig: A Living Tradition of Mat Weaving for 500 Years) which showcases the rich weaving traditions of the women of Basey, Samar.  From the personal banig collection of Ambassador Feria to the variety of handwoven banig products such as functional baskets, high quality designed bags and fashionable accessories, the exhibition aimed to highlight the ingenuity of Filipina women weavers and the long-standing tradition that supports the livelihood of women in rural communities in the Philippines.  It was also aimed to show the importance of innovation in sustaining traditional weaving practices.

The Banig exhibition at the Universidade Popular is one of the many activities under the Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation where the Philippine Embassy endeavors to work side by side with the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo to raise awareness of each countries’ culture and heritage, to generate more synergies to support and advance each other’s creative industry of weaving and later on enhance people to people relations between Filipinos and Portuguese. END

Cestas de Odivelas is ancestral activity in Portugal which demonstrates the ability to transform vegetable fibers such as reeds and wicker into baskets.