Dayaw Season 4 Episode 2 : Living Treasures (Part 1)

Key Concepts:

• Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA): National Living Treasures Award
• Cultural preservation and transmission of knowledge
• Traditional arts and crafts of Northern Luzon
• Weaving (Abel Iloco, Binakol pattern)
• Gourd hat making (Tabungaw)
• Kalinga dance, music, and cultural practices
• Community solidarity and cultural identity

Magdalena Gamayo: Ilocano Weaver

• Main Topic: Magdalena Gamayo, a GAMABA awardee from Pinili, Ilocos Norte, is a master weaver of Abel Iloco, particularly known for the Binakol pattern.
• Key Points:
  • Awarded GAMABA in 2012 at the age of 88.
  • Learned weaving at the age of 16.
  • Specializes in weaving Abel, a hard cotton fabric.
  • Master of the Binakol pattern, a complex abstraction representing the whirlwind.
  • Retains the complex mathematics of Binakol construction in her mind.
  • Uses locally grown cotton (kappa).
  • Wishes for more young Ilocanos to learn from her.
  • Master of a wide range of designs, techniques, and color combinations.
• Examples: The Binakol pattern and its variations.
• Arguments: Gamayo's skill and repertoire set her apart, and her quiet persona reflects the beauty of her textiles.
• Quotes: "She knows many many other patterns some of them are very difficult to make."
• Technical Terms:
  • Abel Iloco: A traditional Ilocano woven fabric.
  • Binakol: A complex weaving pattern representing the whirlwind.
  • Kappa: Locally grown cotton.
• Logical Connections: Gamayo's weaving skills are connected to the Ilocano culture and the need to preserve traditional knowledge.
• Community Solidarity: The Ilocano people have a strong sense of community, reflected in their simple yet durable structures.

Teofilo Garcia: Gourd Hat Maker

• Main Topic: Teofilo Garcia, a GAMABA awardee from San Quintin, Abra, is a maker of gourd hats (Tabungaw).
• Key Points:
  • Creates gourd hats (Tabungaw) using agricultural knowledge and functional design.
  • His work demonstrates a deep connection to the environment.
  • The GAMABA recognition led to a resurgence of interest in the hat and the need to pass on his knowledge.
  • He has mastered the skills necessary for making strong hats.
  • He imparts his knowledge to young kids in his community.
  • The Department of Education has made hat-making part of the school curriculum.
  • The curriculum starts with planting the gourd (opo).
• Examples: The gourd hat (Tabungaw) as a statement of identity.
• Arguments: Garcia's ability to teach hat-making to young people ensures the tradition will continue.
• Quotes: "It's very rare that you find a person who becomes interested in the one seemingly curious item a hat no made of good."
• Technical Terms:
  • Tabungaw: Gourd hat.
  • Opo: A type of gourd used for making hats.
• Logical Connections: Garcia's hat-making is connected to agricultural knowledge, environmental awareness, and cultural preservation.

Alonzo Saclag: Kalinga Musician and Dancer

• Main Topic: Alonzo Saclag, a GAMABA awardee from Lubuagan, Kalinga, is devoted to preserving Kalinga dance, music, chanting, architecture, spiritual, and social rituals.
• Key Points:
  • Awarded GAMABA in 2000.
  • A musician who plays the nose flute, Kalinga gansa, and kulintang.
  • Established the Awit Shan village in Lubuagan as a tribute to Kalinga culture.
  • Established and trains the Kalinga Budong dance troupe.
  • Organizes festivals and workshops in Kalinga.
• Examples: Kalinga Budong dance troupe, Awit Shan village.
• Arguments: Saclag's passion for preserving all aspects of Kalinga culture is unabated, and his dance troupe is an accessible form of learning.
• Quotes: (None explicitly quoted in the provided transcript, but the video highlights his dedication to preserving Kalinga traditions).
• Technical Terms:
  • Budong: A Kalinga peace pact or agreement.
  • Gansa: A type of Kalinga gong.
  • Kulintang: A set of gongs used in Kalinga music.
• Logical Connections: Saclag's work connects Kalinga dance, music, architecture, and rituals to the preservation of cultural identity.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The GAMABA awardees from Northern Luzon – Magdalena Gamayo, Teofilo Garcia, and Alonzo Saclag – exemplify the humility and perseverance required to preserve cultural traditions in a changing world. Their work, whether weaving Abel Iloco, making gourd hats, or preserving Kalinga dance and music, represents a commitment to their heritage. The recognition they have received from the state is a step towards acknowledging the value of their contributions, and it is now up to us to learn from them and ensure the continuation of their traditions. The most important lesson is the dedication to their craft and culture, despite the lack of initial recognition.