Undaunted by the heckling of some male senators, Sen. Loren Legarda gamely posed before cameras recording the live debates in the Senate session hall and described her outfit in detail.
\n\u201cThis is a T\u2019boli belt,\u201d she began as she moved away from the microphone stand hiding her clothes from view. \u201cEach strand that holds a bell takes two weeks to make. Imagine the months it took before this was finished.\u201d
\n\u201cThis is a Bagobo skirt and this bracelet is from the Mangyans. And I wear them with pride,\u201d she said
\nEnduring the jeers of her colleagues (one even called her kleng-kleng, referring to the tiny bells attached to her belt) is just another challenge Legarda faces in her efforts to bring attention to the artistry of indigenous peoples.
\nNot a popular advocacy, she realizes. But Legarda noted that more than a decade ago, very few paid attention when she talked about the environment, climate change and disaster-risk reduction.
\n\u2018A good fire\u2019
\n\u201cBut now these are words of mouth. There will always be challenges. Somebody has to start the fire that will become a bushfire, a wildfire, but it would always be a good fire,\u201d she said in a recent interview.
\nLegarda\u2019s latest baby is saving the production of indigenous fabrics from extinction brought about by public apathy.
\nOne thing she laments is that indigenous culture is not a political issue, hence the lack of attention from politicians who may have the power to save it.
\nBefore attending the Senate session, Legarda was the special guest at the launch of \u201cHibla: Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines\u201d held in a mall an anklet\u2019s throw from the Senate.
\nThe exhibit highlighted different weaving traditions like the B\u2019laan technique of mother-of-pearl beaded tribal wear and the T\u2019boli traditional cross-stitching and art of weaving together sequins, brass bells and beadwork.
\nFinancial support
\nThere also was the panubok embroidery tradition of the Panay Bukidnon group from the Visayas; traditional weaving by the Ivatan, Gaddang and Hanunuo Mangyan; abaca\/bariw mat-weaving from Antique; Iraya Mangyan nito basketry; Subanen pulaw weaving; Ekam Maguindanao mat-weaving; Ata Talaingod liyang weaving; T\u2019boli tinalak weaving, and B\u2019laan mewel weaving.
\nLegarda is passionate about securing government financial support for the indigenous communities.
\nA previous effort can still be gleaned in the National Museum, where a permanent exhibit of indigenous fabrics is showcased on the entire floor of one wing.
\nIndigenous People\u2019s Month
\nLegarda said the mall exhibit was her way of raising the stakes. By herding together the culturati, socialites and varied types of influence peddlers, she hopes to attract more attention to aboriginal artistry, especially since October is Indigenous People\u2019s Month.
\nShe said the exhibit aimed to tell \u201cthe stories of indigenous communities through the intricate processes of weaving that were passed on by their ancestors.\u201d
\nThe exhibit \u201calso reveals the passion for learning, creating and educating of master weaves and culture bearers of different indigenous groups,\u201d she said.
\nWith the help of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the senator took pains to bring to Manila entire families of indigenous artists.
\nStory of a soul, a community
\nAt the launch were groups of grandmother-mother-aunt-daughter artisans who demonstrated their specialized skills of weaving or embroidery.
\nUnlike mass-produced fashion items that predictably lose their trendiness, there is a story to tell in each product touched by the hands of indigenous artists, according to Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on cultural communities.
\n\u201cA blouse, a skirt, a belt, a scarf or a basket, carefully and expertly crafted, narrates an anecdote of an individual soul, a story of a community, the saga of a people, the spirit of a culture, the way of life,\u201d she said.
\nLegarda sees a government program focusing on cultural tourism as a way to save the indigenous people\u2019s craft.
\nNiche to explore
\n\u201cCultural tourism is a niche we can explore. Other countries have done it. We can do it. At present, it is already being done in different small ways in the country,\u201d she said.
\nTourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. raised a similar idea during questioning by Commission on Appointments members prior to his confirmation a few months back.
\nJimenez said provinces without tourist spots could develop cultural attractions to lure novelty seekers. Or develop industries that would provide the merchandise that would make the memory of their travel experience more tangible.
\n\u201cWe have 110 indigenous or ethno-linguistic groups in the country. All of them have their own rituals, their own food, practices, basketry, beadwork, weaving, etcetera,\u201d Legarda said.
\n\u201cWe are very rich and so just on the cultural tourism angle, on promoting the artistry and culture of indigenous peoples, that\u2019s already cultural tourism for you,\u201d she added.
\n\u201cIf there is no support from the market, if nobody will buy their products, these people will either go to Manila and look for jobs or stay in the province and be jobless,\u201d she said.
\nNeed for capital
\nShe stressed: \u201cIf there\u2019s a market for their products, such as this effort to expose them to the world market, then more of the women will do this. But first, we want to preserve their traditions, the way they are. Second, we want to provide them the capital so they are interested in continuing it.\u201d
\n\u201cOtherwise,\u201d she said, \u201cit\u2019s a dying craft.\u201d
\nThe senator said one of the Mangyans who participated in the exhibit marveled at the sight of the cavernous exhibit hall.
\nPermanent showroom
\n\u201cThis is our first time in the big city. It is good that we are given attention,\u201d Legarda quoted the woman as saying.
\nLegarda said the government could look for possible markets for the products of indigenous peoples or provide them with funds to sustain their traditions.
\n\u201cWe can provide market access for indigenous peoples. Then we will fund Schools of Living Traditions by giving them capital for micro enterprises,\u201d she said.
\nUltimately, a permanent showroom would be ideal.<\/p>\n