PH Consulate in Hong Kong Celebrates National Heritage Month with Cordillera Indigenous Textiles Display
Philippine Consulate General and Sentro Rizal Hong Kong launches traditional Cordilleran attire and textiles from MABIKA at the Sining Malaya Freedom Art Corner in celebration of National Heritage Month 2025. (Hong Kong PCG photo)
HONG KONG 15 May 2025 – In celebration of National Heritage Month with the theme, “Preserving Legacies, Building Futures: Empowering Communities Through Heritage,” the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and Sentro Rizal Hong Kong hosted a cultural exhibit featuring handwoven textiles and traditional attire of MABIKA, an Overseas Filipino community group in Hong Kong who advocates for indigenous fabrics from the indigenous communities of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The event was held last 11 May 2025 at the Sining Malaya Freedom Art Corner, located in the Public Area of the Consulate, as part of the month-long celebration of Philippine cultural heritage.
MABIKA, a collective of Igorot groups representing the six provinces of the CAR—Mt. Province, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao—based in Hong Kong, was formed with the mission to support and promote indigenous weaving communities within their respective locales. The group aims to showcase the beauty, foster awareness, take pride in their group’s individual and shared heritage, and champion sustainable practices in preserving these invaluable crafts.
The event featured an exquisite display of traditional woven fabrics, intricate handwoven textiles, and authentic indigenous garments. Visitors were also treated to a short film showcasing a visual journey into the craftsmanship and stories behind each piece, highlighting the cultural heritage passed down through generations
In his remarks, Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. shared how Dr. José Rizal inspired the Consulate’s initiative to display MABIKA’s handwoven showcase, citing Dr. Rizal’s cultural conservation efforts when he donated Filipino textiles and other ethnographic materials to the Berlin Ethnological Museum in Germany, which included a piña barong, baro and shawl, a Bagobo attire, a Mandaya baby carrier, a T’boli abaca skirt, and his very own “salacot cong sungay” which was made of horn and silver. Consul General Israel further expressed his admiration for MABIKA’s dedication to cultural preservation and community empowerment. “Through initiatives like MABIKA’s Inabel Showcase, we celebrate our indigenous roots and ensure that these traditions continue to thrive, inspiring pride and resilience among our migrant Filipino communities and beyond,” he said.
As part of the National Heritage Month celebrations, the display underscores the importance of preserving our cultural legacies while building inclusive futures. The exhibition is a reminder that through collective efforts, we can keep our traditions alive and foster a deeper understanding of our diverse Filipino heritage. END.
Philippine Consulate Officials headed by Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. (5th from left) with Vice Consul Allan G. Revote (3rd from right), Vice Consul George Mariano A. Soriano (2nd from right), Vice Consul David Bien P. Paje (rightmost), Assistant Labor Attaché Antonio R.Villafuerte Jr. (2nd from left), Ms. Marilou V. Sumalinog (leftmost) Ms. Jen Segundo (4th from right) and other representatives of MABIKA after the program.
Left photo: Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. emphasizes the importance of preserving our national heritage while sharing such cultural treasures with the rest of the world. Right photo: Ms. Jen Segundo of MABIKA proudly shares the group’s advocacy and passion in promoting Cordilleran textiles in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong PCG photo)
Consul General Israel and Vice Consul Revote exchange fruitful insights and views about Cordilleran culture with Ms. Jen Segundo after the program. (Hong Kong PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.