PH Embassy in London Showcases Philippine Textiles

Ambassador Locsin, together with curator Marian Pastor Roces, admires the piña (pineapple) cloth woven by Aklanon civil engineer Allan Tumbukon.(London PE Photo)

LONDON 12 December 2024 – Sentro Rizal London was the fitting home of the exhibit Philippine Textiles: PastFuturePerfect which ran from 08-26 November 2024. The exhibit was organized by the Philippine Embassy in the UK in partnership with Philippine Studies at SOAS University of London.

Eleven (11) exquisite fabrics were on showcase, each woven with precision and artistry by weavers from 10 Philippine language groups. 

The weavers are Ilocano brother and sister tandem Logelin Agosto Quional and Ian Dela Cruz of Santiago, Ilocos Sur; Allan Tumbukon of Kalibo, Aklan; Teresita Obngayon of the Itneg community of Abra; Ifugao weavers Divine Balangto Calingayan with the Kiyangan Weavers Association; Yakan weavers Naira Analyn and Nasra Unda; Tagalog embroiderers Ferlyn Malala and Dory Nitro of Taal, Batangas; T'boli ikat dyer Lahim Tinggal Lungan; and Saadira Shiek Basmala, Meranaw tapestry weaver. 

In his message during the official launch at Sentro Rizal London, Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. lauded the Filipino weavers for preserving the techniques and stories of their ancestors. He hailed the renaissance of interest in Philippine textile traditions and described the exhibit as a celebration of the growing global recognition of Philippine textiles, “not just as works of art but touchstones of a unique cultural identity.”

The event was attended by participants of the annual Philippine Studies Symposium convened by the Philippine Studies Program at SOAS, foreign students, art writers and enthusiasts, experts on Philippine studies, and some members of the Filipino community.

The exhibit was open to the public from 08 to 26 November 2024. END

Some of the exquisite fabrics displayed in the exhibit are the Blaan upper garment, T’boli T’nalak, Ifugao Tolgé and Tausug headcloth. (London PE Photo)

For more information, visit https://www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/pg/PHLinUK, https://twitter.com/philippinesinuk or https://www.instagram.com/philippinesinuk/.