Philippines Showcases Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving, Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) at UNESCO Paris Exhibit
PARIS 21 October 2024 – Philippine Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West, together with the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Dr. Eric Zerrudo, National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Director-General and UNESCO National Commissioner Mr. Jeremy Barns, Hon. Jose Enrique Miraflores, Governor of Aklan, Hon. Victor J. Yu, Governor of Zamboanga del Sur, Hon. Juris Sucro, Mayor of Kalibo and the UNESCO National Commission Secretary-General Dr. Ivan Anthony S. Henares inaugurated the exhibit entitled "AKLAN PIÑA Handloom Weaving and the Schools of Living Traditions of the Philippines" at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 14 October 2024.
Ambassador Mahilum-West, in her remarks, underscored the deep cultural roots of the piña weaving tradition and the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), both intrinsic to the fabric of Philippine identity. "These traditions, passed down through generations, reflect our indigenous heritage and the resilience of our communities. This exhibit is our way of sharing these rich practices with the world, offering a glimpse into how we preserve and celebrate our intangible cultural heritage."
The Honorable Senator Loren Legarda, a renowned advocate for Philippine arts and culture and the visionary behind bringing the exhibit to Paris, conveyed her aspirations through a message delivered by NCCA Executive Director Dr. Eric Zerrudo. Legarda, who was recently conferred the Officier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur by the French government, stated: "I hope this exhibit inspires a deeper connection to the living traditions that define us as Filipinos and sparks a greater appreciation of our shared heritage."
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramirez lauded the Philippines for its commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage. He congratulated the country on the inclusion of Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the inclusion of SLTs in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. He noted how these traditions transcend borders, connecting people across cultures and fostering global understanding.
Dr. Eric Zerrudo, NCCA Executive Director, highlighted the responsibility that comes with such recognition: "This is not just an honor, but a panata – a promise to ensure these cultural treasures continue to thrive, enrich, and inspire communities for generations to come." He also handed over a 20-year old piña handkerchief to ADG Ottone and his team as a gesture of appreciation for UNESCO’s support for PH’s efforts in preserving its intangible cultural heritage.
NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns, who led the curatorial team, expressed pride in presenting what he called "a world-class showcase of Filipino craftsmanship." He added, "this exhibit is a testament to the ingenuity of our weavers and cultural bearers. In celebrating these traditions, we honor our past while empowering communities and fostering innovation for a sustainable future."
The opening ceremony concluded with a demonstration of an element of the Buklog ritual called “talak” and musical performances from Ms. Charley Magalit and Mr. Franco Maigue.
Among those who visited and praised the exhibit were UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos. They commended the dedication of the Filipino weavers and cultural practitioners—Ms. Anna India Legaspi, Ms. Raquel Eliserio, Ms. Ursulita Marte dela Cruz, Subanen cultural master Mr. Gauden Sireg, and SLT National Coordinator Ms. Renefe Tremedal—for their commitment to keeping these traditions alive for future generations.
The exhibit, "Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving and the Schools of Living Traditions of the Philippines," is open to the public at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 14 to 18 October 2024, offering a rare opportunity to witness the beauty and cultural richness of these age-old traditions. Among the items on display at the Salle de Pas Perdus at the UNESCO Headquarters are the fabrics weaved by the cultural masters themselves, items made in the Schools of Living Traditions as well as modern pina designs by Ms. Adrienne Charuel of Maison Metisse and Ms. Joan Bitagcol.
Background:
In December 2023, Aklan Piña Handloom Weaving was inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a meeting in Botswana. The tradition, known for producing the delicate and exquisite piña fabric from pineapple leaves, has been passed down through generations of weavers in Aklan. In 2021, the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), a program aimed at transmitting knowledge of indigenous practices and cultural heritage from elders to the youth, were inscribed in UNESCO's Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. These recognitions underscore the Philippines’ dedication to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage on the global stage. END
(From Left to Right: Mr. Andoni Aboitiz, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the Philippines , Hon. Juris Sucro, Mayor of Kalibo, Hon. Jose Enrique Miraflores, Governor of Aklan, Ms. Fumiko Ohinata, Secretary for 2003 Convention , PH Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Junever M. Mahilum-West, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, NCCA Executive Director Dr. Eric Zerrudo, Hon. Victor Yu, Governor of Zamboanga del Sur , UNACOM Secretary-General Dr. Ivan Henares and National Museum Director-General Jeremy Barns)
Ms. Renefe Tremedal, SLT National Coordinator, discusses the Buklog ritual, practiced by the Subanen indigenous people of Zamboanga del Sur to the UNESCO Director-General.
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