8-year-old dubbed ‘Youngest Weaver’ in Ilocos Norte

An eight-year-old girl showcased her talent in weaving at the Gumaba Cultural Center in Pinili, Ilocos Norte.

The girl is known as “AC.”

Edwin Antonio, the training program director, said that AC learned weaving by observing other trainees at the inabel weaving workshop.

“Namangha kami kasi, actually at eight years old, hindi namin in-expect na magkakaroon siya ng interes [sa weaving], at the same time [mayroon siyang] skill, 'yung talagang may mata siya para sa art form na ito na weaving,” Antonio said.

(We were astounded, at eight years old, we were not expecting she would have an interest in weaving. She has an eye in the art form of weaving.))

“’Gusto kong mag-try’, sabi niya. Tapos ayaw ng lola pero pinanood namin at nagagawa naman niya. Ang bata kasi talagang mabilis ang pick-up. 'Yun ang sabi sa amin ni National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo, nag-start siya noong bata na ganyang age din at nanonood lang siya,” Antonio added.

("I wanted to try", she said. Her grandmother was against it but we observed her and she was able to. Children are quick to pick things up. That's what we were told by National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo, she also started as a child at this age and thru watching.)

Young weavers are mentored by the grand weaver and 99-year-old National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo, together with the training program director.

They are delighted that many young people are once again becoming interested in weaving. They see this as a step to preserve the tradition of weaving in the region.

“Actually, ongoing kasi 'yung Sagut100. Ito 'yung 100 scholars ng National Living Treasure na si Magdalena Gamayo, at ako ay tumatayong Training Program Director. Mayroon kaming target na 100 scholars na mapagtatapos ngayong taong ito... sa August sana ‘yung target namin,” Antonio said.

(Actually, Sagut100 is ongoing. These are the 100 scholars of National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo and I am the Training Program Director. We have a target of 100 scholars that will end this year. Our target is August.) 

The training began in January 2024 with 20 batches expected to graduate. AC will be the youngest.

The program aims to enrich and revitalize the inabel weaving industry in the town.—GMA Regional TV