Bagobo textile art impresses visitors at traditional craftsmanship expo in Shanghai

Hardly had a visitor completed his photo shoot with Bae Arlyne D. Salazar when another group sought her permission for a chance to have a photograph with her. The almost 60-year old Cultural Master from Davao readily gave in to the request with a proud smile and said xie xie after. She has mastered the Chinese word for thank you, she said, after the countless visitors to the Philippine booth at the West Lake Expo on Traditional Craftsmanship in the Asia-Pacific Region held at the Hangzhou White Horse Lake Convention and Exhibition Center at Zhejiang Province, China from October 17 to 20 October 2013.
 
Grateful for the opportunity to showcase the culture and traditional garments of her ethnic group, Bae Salazar brought to the exhibition the umpak ka bayi (blouse with beadwork) and sun’od (tubular skirt made from inabel – woven resist-dyed abaca), which are traditionally worn by women from the royal family of the datu or chieftain; the umpak ka mama (jacket with beadwork), the saro-ar (trousers made from inabel), and the tangkulo (head cloth) which are worn by men; and, accessories made of beads and fiber.
 
Bae Salazar, who has been teaching in the Schools of Living Traditions for Bagobo traditional garments in Toril district of Davao del Sur, shared with visitors that it takes three to four months to complete a blouse or a jacket as beads are sewn into the umpak by hand. Symbols from dreams and the environment of the Bagobo influence the designs.
 
Consul General Charles C. Jose supported and hailed the participation of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in the West Lake Expo on Traditional Craftsmanship, particularly as it raised awareness on the diversity of Philippine culture and showed the creativity, art and craftsmanship of Filipino traditional artists among the local Chinese and foreign visitors.
 
At the exhibition, Qiu Guo Liang, Director General of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of Zhejiang Province, welcomed Consul General Jose and officials from the Consulate.


Press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs