LAGAWE, Ifugao– Even with winners still unannounced, the Mun-abol weaving skills competition has already generated a major creative impact on the participants of this year’s Indigenous People’s Education (IPED) Congress in Lagawe, Ifugao.
Excitement is mounting over the final say of the judges.
The mun-abol weaving skills competition was conceived this year by the Department of Education (DEpEd)-Division Schools Office of Ifugao to recognize teachers, administrators and other personnel in the education sector that highlight craftsmanship in the field of weaving.
It distinguishes unique skills and talents of weavers among the ranks.
Entries are judged on four criteria. Quality and completeness of finished product for 50%, speed/timeliness 15%, accuracy of finished product 25% and proper use of equipment and materials 10%. The highest scorer gets the top award. The top three scorers will receive major prizes.
Kiangan district Provincial Schools Division Supervisor Juliet Apiit said she expects a close race among the competitors for top honors.
DepEd division schools officials in this upland Cordillera province are undertaking a massive effort to promote IPED programs across educational institutions in this part of the region to allow stakeholders to experience distinct centuries-old cultural practices and traditions.
Competitors were from Asipulo, Banaue, Hingyon, Kiangan, Lagawe and Lamut.
Competitors went the extra length to make sure everyone who wants to understand and appreciate the intricacies of weaving is leaving the contest venue fully satisfied.
Their attitude towards craftsmanship and workmanship serves well the purpose of the activity. Bottom line: there is no substitute for excellence.
Although the Ilocano “inabel” weaving style is more popular in the Philippines, only the mun-abol style produces and possesses certain distinctive and peculiar features, seen only in Ifugao province.
An increasingly interconnected competition as this one can interestingly become a role model for others in the country to follow, emulate and adopt.
Under the program rules, a male contestant has to assist a female weaver. In short, teamwork counts. DepEd division school officials were also at hand to assist them. Elder education sector leaders, mostly retired public school teachers and heads were around providing guidance and inspiration to the competitors.
Weaving being a highly-skilled hand-based activity, a number of Ifugao folks know how important it is to discern how mun-abol as a craft is simple in some ways and yet so complex in other ways.
Educators here are on track in promoting mun-abol weaving’s significance. They provided the design pattern and threads for competitors to come up with like the best table runner with a measurement of 120 inches.
Threads of various colors were used. Competitors wore Ifugao attires. They also used native implements and gadgets. They were given about 14 hours to out-do each other.
Being culturally passionate is not limited to addressing the issue of promoting IPED among the young and being good to be true by simply going by the books. It will also make sense if the finished mun-abol weaving items are sold commercially. Organizers told the ZigZag Weekly the table runners are simply to be displayed at the IPED office; when proceeds may be earmarked for vital projects in public schools. Most school-based projects are under-funded.
Now is the time to invest in imaginative thinking. This entails developing products for income generation that are tailored in the lucrative global market.
This innovative strategy and forward-looking mindset includes the modernization of promoting, advertising and marketing of Ifugao weaving wonders.
Today, the inabel of hardworking Ilocanos and even “binakul” of the Tinguians of Abra are proudly displayed at museums in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Cebu City and even in other countries; but not the ones from Ifugao.
It’s therefore the time to put great weight on the fact that for culture to flourish and be appreciated by present and future generations it should be viewed as one that is evolving and not regressing. Bottom line: if you want to promote mun-abol weaving, you have to sell it outside the province.
Meantime, many are eagerly waiting for the culmination program of the IPED Congress on the end of August. Aside from the mun-abol weaving contest results, winners in the “baya” rice wine making and wood carving contests are to be announced.** By Anthony A. Araos
