It was still a few hours before sunrise, but the townsfolk of Pinili, Ilocos Norte were already up and about for the mañanita, the traditional pre-dawn birthday serenade to regale Magdalena Gamayo, recipient of the prestigious Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GaMaBa) accolade.
More-than-the-usual celebration, it was the centenary of the inabel master weaver who shoved this obscure municipality into national fame when she was proclaimed a National Living Treasure in 2012.
The frail diminutive woman, fondly called “Nana Daleng” was roused from her sleep by serenaders who sang well-loved Ilocano folk songs. A casual birthday tribute was held at the Pinili Inabel Center, situated beside Gamayo’s residence in Brgy. Lumbaan-Bicbica, some 20 minutes away from the town proper.
The night before, the municipal government threw a grand asalto or birthday eve party which was attended by local well-wishers, and was highlighted by a mini-fashion show incorporating her exquisite weaves into modern apparel.
Inabel is Ilocandia’s quintessential traditional cotton fabric dating back to the Spanish colonial era, and is sought-after for its softness, durability, and exquisite patterns. The meticulous production involves preparation of cotton threads, warping and braiding, and feeding them into the loom before the actual weaving begins.
Gamayo got initiated in weaving at age 16, and served as her source of livelihood throughout World War II.
Over the decades, she would be weaving her inimitable designs known as sinan tawata, kusikos (whirlpool), regarded as the most challenging binakol pattern, and inubon a sabong, or chain of flowers which is an intricate and time-consuming pattern. These stand out among the rest of the inabel creations and make for elegant gifts, souvenirs or utilitarian fabrics for clothes and home furnishings.
During her 99th birthday last year, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opened the Pinili Inabel Center, a weaving hall, gallery, and showroom of her creations, which also serves as a visitor receiving area.
The national agency also partnered with the local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Norte and the Department of Education (DepEd) to enlist high school volunteers to learn Gamayo’s weaving skills.
The program aims to train at least 100 enrolees in basic and advanced weaving, and the first batch, composed of 16 learners completed the 10 sessions or a total of 80-hour training time. Upon the program’s completion, the finished product will be made into sablay or banda that will be awarded and worn by trainees who will also receive an NCCA certificate of completion.
Pinili Mayor Rommel Labasan said the town has seen a notable rise in the same-day visitor arrivals since Nana Daleng’s proclamation as Manlilikha ng Bayan and the center’s opening.
He noted that the centenarian, who still weaves magic on her loom, would often appear and greet visitors congregating in the area.
The local chief executive added that tour groups in Ilocos Norte have included the interior town in their itinerary, and is no longer left out in the province’s popular tourism circuit.
To sustain its weaving industry, the municipal government has embarked on programs for cotton farmers and the weaving community, and provides pre- and post-harvest equipment to cotton farmers, supplemental livelihood such as cattle raising, and assistance on product development and marketing.
It has also instituted the Magdalena Gamayo Scholarship Program to assist poor but deserving youths as they complete their schooling.
To put the spotlight on her invaluable contribution, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 664 declaring Aug. 13, 2024 to Aug. 12, 2025 as the “Centennial Year of Manlilikha ng Bayan Magdalena Gamayo.”
In the recent NCCA grand birthday tribute in Laoag City, Gamayo was honored with the unveiling of a commemorative stamp, with the celebrator signing a huge replica of a P16 stamp witnessed by fellow GaMaBa awardees and hundreds of well-wishers from all over the country.