Going back to the basics

Rediscovering natural dyes for local weaves

- Joseph L. Garcia

A POPUP at the National Museum displaying indigenous textiles on Sept. 30 displayed so much more than scores of cloths: it was a showcase for the ASEAN Agriculture Ministers’ reception for Oct. 1, but also a story of hope.

The popup, the culminating project of Masda Aw (an Ioca-no word for curiosity), displays the outcomes of a two-week engagement between Manila-based and Kalinga creatives. This involved artist and social activist Paul Mondok, journalist and author Yvette Tan, natural dye expert Diana Katigbak, creative strategist Raffy Tesoro, fashion photographer MJ Suayan, model Vanessa Tedesco, documentarian Arnold Amores, and Dr. Analyn Salvador-Amores, and led by Nina Tesoro-Poblador. The Kalinga region was represented by the Kalinga Indigenous Weavers Association (KINWA), Tabuk District Jail community members, Councilor Arnel Banasan of Pasil, Mingor Chi Kultura (MCK), and social entrepreneur and community elder Florence Ao-wat.

This was initially proposed as an entry to the Benilde Open, but the project and its funding were picked up by Australian Aid, with the support of Mercedes Zobel (and a bevy of many other sponsors, from the University of the Philippines to Corditex and the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde).