Mahalin ang ating Kultura Caring for cultural communities with Senator Loren Legarda and Kultura

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Loren Legarda’s extensive work with indigenous people has given her many priceless rewards for working for their cause.

The cultural communities of Mindanao adopted her as “Bae Matumpis,” which means “the one who takes care,” while the Panay-Bukidnon from the Visayas gave her the name “Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan,” which means “shining sun rising in power.”

Over the past years, Senator Legarda has shown that she is indeed someone who cares, and has been a shining sun for indigenous peoples.

“Indigenous cultures are the soul of the Filipino.  These are treasures that are unique to us, that make us distinct from other nations,” she says. “We should all work together to preserve our indigenous peoples’ (IP) language, writing, songs, poems, intricate weaving, and art before they are forgotten.”

Her work with IPs has its roots back in her days as a broadcast journalist. “I featured various cultural communities, their way of life, their struggles in my programs,” she recalls. “Every visit to a community leads to a discovery of the rich heritage of our indigenous people — their intricately woven fabrics, the songs, chants, and dances that narrate the story of our ancestors and the distinct way of life they tried to preserve.”

When she entered politics, she became the voice of indigenous peoples in the Philippines.  As the only female Senator who topped the Senate race twice, with more than 15 million votes in 1998 and 18.4 million votes in 2007, Senator Legarda has been at the forefront of many landmark legislations. But as chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, her work with indigenous peoples has been closest to her heart.

 In Davao del Sur, “We supported the development of cultural villages of the Ata-Talaingod, the Mandayas, the B’laan, the Bagobo Tagabawas in various activities of their Schools of Living Traditions, which teach the young generation the traditional arts, crafts, music, and practices of the village.”

Senator Legarda authored the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law of 2004, which mandated the use of indigenous fibers for the official uniforms of government officials and employees with the objective of strengthening the local fiber industry.

In 2011, she successfully organized regional assemblies — in Baguio City for Luzon IPs, in Iloilo City for Visayan IPs, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Mindanao IPs — and the First National Indigenous Cultural Summit that served as avenues for dialogues with IPs with local and national policymakers as well as international institutions.

Through several cultural exhibits held in the Senate — “Isang Habi, Isang Lahi, the Mangyans of Mindoro, and Panay:  Memory and Enchantment” — she was able to help showcase their exceptional skills and world-class products.

In May 2012, she launched the country’s first textile gallery called the “Hibla ng Lahing Pilipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles in the National Museum” to celebrate indigenous artistry and revitalize our weaving traditions.

In October 2012, Senator Legarda launched her most recent initiative, the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines, which is a highlight of the Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle Event 2012. Demonstrators at the Hibla Pavilion include members of indigenous communities of the Ivatan, Ga’dang, Hanunuo Mangyan, Subanen, Ata Talaingod, Blaan, Iraya Mangyan, Panay Bukidnon, T’boli, and the Maguindanao.

Senator Legarda shares this passion for preserving our heritage and culture through the products of the IP groups with Kultura Filipino, a showcase of Filipino artistry, ingenuity, and innovation.

“Kultura is an important platform to showcase our indigenous artistry and craftsmanship and make them known to all Filipinos and to the world,” she says. “Through Kultura, we are generating greater patronage for the creative industries of our indigenous peoples.”

She is particularly impressed with Kultura’s collection of “textiles and accessories skillfully made by our Kultural communities,” which she discovered during a recent visit to the Makati store.

These skillfully crafted products from indigenous communities can be found at Kultura Filipino stores at SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, and at selected SM Department Stores.