How Ilocano traditional weaving penetrated showbiz

We had always been drawn to the Ilocano culture, perhaps because of our Ilocano grandma who was born in Magsingal, Ilocos Norte, and because to us the Ilocanos seemed to embody all the good traits of the Filipino, from industriousness to frugality. Which is why when we met Dr. Joven Cuanang, renowned neurologist and chief medical officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center, we immediately found ourselves comfortable in his presence.

From that moment, Dr. Cuanang would always send us invitations to his art exhibitions, as well as to Sitio Remedios, Ilocos Norte where he had gathered samples of Ilocano art, architecture, food, music and literature, in an amazing paean to his beloved province.

That is why, we were not at all surprised to receive an invitation to attend the opening of an exhibit Floating Warps & Guiding Heddles, hand-woven textiles from the collection of Balay ni Atong, opening July 29, 3 p.m. at Dr. Cuanang’s Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. Running until Aug. 22, the exhibit showcases hand-woven textiles done on traditional wooden looms using weaving techniques passed on through generations. Some patterns were based on designs of antique blankets dating from 1800s to mid-1900s.

This exhibition of old traditions, however, interestingly brings us quickly to the present by the announcement from Saridandan Films of a movie based on the Ilocano epic Lam-Ang, directed by Ilocano filmmaker Ana Agabin with Rocco Nacino in the title role. Rocco is familiar to many from GMA 7’s The Good Daughter and Cinemalaya’s Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa where he won 2012 Breakthrough Performance by an Actor from Golden Screen Awards.

The film’s executive producer, Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. DV Savellano, thought of Lam-Ang to showcase Ilocano culture and history in the 1600s, for showing in all schools and institutions in Ilocos, as well as on a regular theatrical run.

Joining Rocco in the movie are award-winning indie actors Shamaine Buencamino, Art Acuña, Alchris Gallura, Chennel de la Torre and Miguel Vasquez, with child actors Nathaniel Britt and Kokoy de Santos.

The Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-Ang tells of battles fought and love pursued by the epic hero, but is also replete with pictorial depictions of the clothes and gold ornaments worn by the main characters, revealing in the process two important art forms practiced by the Ilocanos: Textile weaving and goldsmithing.

For the rich Ilocano, the wealth in clothes or textiles is coupled with wealth in gold. In the epic, parents of a wife-to-be show Lam-Ang their gold possessions that should be equaled if not surpassed by the latter’s wealth. The gold possessions are textile weaving implements, the spindle and warping frame of pure gold. From the early years of Spanish colonization, Ilocos cotton and cotton textiles were already regarded for their premier quality and part of the tribute collected was in cloth and the other part in gold.

The Pinto Art Museum is at One Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights, Antipolo City, with tel. no. 02-6971015.

The E-Heads alive & well in band memory

A unique promo designed to sell Star Records’ The Reunion: An Eraserheads Tribute Concert, caught our attention as a truly exciting event set on July 27, 5 p.m., at the Trinoma Activity Center. A live concert will be staged by Callalily, 6CycleMind with Eunice of Gracenote, Hilera, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Tanya Markova, Johnoy Danao, Jay Durias, Vin Dancel and Ney Dimaculangan, interpreting the timeless music of the iconic Pinoy pop-rock band composed of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro.

The concert is exclusive to those who will buy the album from Astroplus or Astrovision stores during pre-selling from July 7 to 27. To qualify as audience, please present the official receipt as proof of purchase on the day of the concert. Only official receipts from Astroplus/Astrovision will be accommodated. Albums bought prior to July 7 will not be accommodated. For details, visit Star Records’ Facebook fanpage at http://facebook.com/starrecordsphil or follow @starrecordsph on Twitter.

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