Contributions and Achievements
Contributions To Philippine Art and Culture by Magdalena Gamayo
Magdalena Gamayo, a master weaver and guardian of the rich Ilocano weaving tradition, has made significant contributions to Philippine art and culture throughout her remarkable journey. Her story is one of unwavering dedication, weaving history and heritage into every thread. Her remarkable contributions and achievements include:
Preservation of Inabel Weaving Tradition:
Magdalena Gamayo's life's work has been dedicated to the creation of exquisite inabel textiles and the preservation of this ancient craft. Despite her advanced age and physical challenges, she continues to produce inabel textiles with intricate designs and a high thread count, some requiring up to five different colors.
GAMABA Awardee and National Living Treasure:
In 2012, Magdalena Gamayo received the prestigious GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) or National Living Treasures Award in recognition of her remarkable mastery of inabel weaving. She has become an iconic figure as the first National Living Treasure to approach her 100th birthday, and her dedication to the craft remains undiminished.
Educator and Cultural Custodian:
Magdalena actively shares her knowledge and skills within her community, providing training to a small group of women, ensuring the continuity of the weaving tradition.
Traditional and Innovative Weaving Patterns:
She is renowned not only for her mastery of traditional inabel patterns like binakol, inuritan, kusikos, and sinan-sabong but also for her unique "pinilian" weaving method, used to create the intricate "Inubon a Sabong" pattern, which translates to "a string of flowers." This challenging pattern has garnered acclaim, and Magdalena's expertise in this area earned her recognition.
Gift to the National Museum:
On her 98th birthday in August 2022, Magdalena Gamayo presented a finely crafted inabel masterpiece to the National Museum of the Philippines. The framed inabel, symbolizing her dedication to preserving cultural heritage, was graciously received by the NMP's Deputy Director-General for Museums, Jorell M. Legaspi.
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Awardee:
Magdalena Gamayo was honored with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan award in 2012, acknowledging her outstanding contribution to the cultural heritage of the Philippines. Magdalena Gamayo's life and art are a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural preservation and artistic mastery. She has woven a legacy of tradition and innovation, creating a bridge between the past and the future of Philippine art and culture. We celebrate Magdalena Gamayo's contributions and wish her continued good health and the ability to pass on her skills and knowledge to younger generations, ensuring that the art of inabel weaving remains a vibrant part of our cultural heritage.