Legarda braves heckling to promote native wear

Undaunted by the heckling of some male senators, Sen. Loren Legarda gamely posed before cameras recording the live debates in the Senate session hall and described her outfit in detail.
“This is a T’boli belt,” she began as she moved away from the microphone stand hiding her clothes from view. “Each strand that holds a bell takes two weeks to make. Imagine the months it took before this was finished.”
“This is a Bagobo skirt and this bracelet is from the Mangyans. And I wear them with pride,” she said
Enduring the jeers of her colleagues (one even called her kleng-kleng, referring to the tiny bells attached to her belt) is just another challenge Legarda faces in her efforts to bring attention to the artistry of indigenous peoples.
Not a popular advocacy, she realizes. But Legarda noted that more than a decade ago, very few paid attention when she talked about the environment, climate change and disaster-risk reduction.
‘A good fire’
“But now these are words of mouth. There will always be challenges. Somebody has to start the fire that will become a bushfire, a wildfire, but it would always be a good fire,” she said in a recent interview.
Legarda’s latest baby is saving the production of indigenous fabrics from extinction brought about by public apathy.
One thing she laments is that indigenous culture is not a political issue, hence the lack of attention from politicians who may have the power to save it.
Before attending the Senate session, Legarda was the special guest at the launch of “Hibla: Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines” held in a mall an anklet’s throw from the Senate.
The exhibit highlighted different weaving traditions like the B’laan technique of mother-of-pearl beaded tribal wear and the T’boli traditional cross-stitching and art of weaving together sequins, brass bells and beadwork.
Financial support
There also was the panubok embroidery tradition of the Panay Bukidnon group from the Visayas; traditional weaving by the Ivatan, Gaddang and Hanunuo Mangyan; abaca/bariw mat-weaving from Antique; Iraya Mangyan nito basketry; Subanen pulaw weaving; Ekam Maguindanao mat-weaving; Ata Talaingod liyang weaving; T’boli tinalak weaving, and B’laan mewel weaving.
Legarda is passionate about securing government financial support for the indigenous communities.
A previous effort can still be gleaned in the National Museum, where a permanent exhibit of indigenous fabrics is showcased on the entire floor of one wing.
Indigenous People’s Month
Legarda said the mall exhibit was her way of raising the stakes. By herding together the culturati, socialites and varied types of influence peddlers, she hopes to attract more attention to aboriginal artistry, especially since October is Indigenous People’s Month.
She said the exhibit aimed to tell “the stories of indigenous communities through the intricate processes of weaving that were passed on by their ancestors.”
The exhibit “also reveals the passion for learning, creating and educating of master weaves and culture bearers of different indigenous groups,” she said.
With the help of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the senator took pains to bring to Manila entire families of indigenous artists.
Story of a soul, a community
At the launch were groups of grandmother-mother-aunt-daughter artisans who demonstrated their specialized skills of weaving or embroidery.
Unlike mass-produced fashion items that predictably lose their trendiness, there is a story to tell in each product touched by the hands of indigenous artists, according to Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on cultural communities.
“A blouse, a skirt, a belt, a scarf or a basket, carefully and expertly crafted, narrates an anecdote of an individual soul, a story of a community, the saga of a people, the spirit of a culture, the way of life,” she said.
Legarda sees a government program focusing on cultural tourism as a way to save the indigenous people’s craft.
Niche to explore
“Cultural tourism is a niche we can explore. Other countries have done it. We can do it. At present, it is already being done in different small ways in the country,” she said.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. raised a similar idea during questioning by Commission on Appointments members prior to his confirmation a few months back.
Jimenez said provinces without tourist spots could develop cultural attractions to lure novelty seekers. Or develop industries that would provide the merchandise that would make the memory of their travel experience more tangible.
“We have 110 indigenous or ethno-linguistic groups in the country. All of them have their own rituals, their own food, practices, basketry, beadwork, weaving, etcetera,” Legarda said.
“We are very rich and so just on the cultural tourism angle, on promoting the artistry and culture of indigenous peoples, that’s already cultural tourism for you,” she added.
“If there is no support from the market, if nobody will buy their products, these people will either go to Manila and look for jobs or stay in the province and be jobless,” she said.
Need for capital
She stressed: “If there’s a market for their products, such as this effort to expose them to the world market, then more of the women will do this. But first, we want to preserve their traditions, the way they are. Second, we want to provide them the capital so they are interested in continuing it.”
“Otherwise,” she said, “it’s a dying craft.”
The senator said one of the Mangyans who participated in the exhibit marveled at the sight of the cavernous exhibit hall.
Permanent showroom
“This is our first time in the big city. It is good that we are given attention,” Legarda quoted the woman as saying.
Legarda said the government could look for possible markets for the products of indigenous peoples or provide them with funds to sustain their traditions.
“We can provide market access for indigenous peoples. Then we will fund Schools of Living Traditions by giving them capital for micro enterprises,” she said.
Ultimately, a permanent showroom would be ideal.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/293912/legarda-braves-heckling-to-promote-native-wear

Subic is a popular destination for visitors from Manila bringing family out of town for a short getaway to the north. Many visitors stopover in Clark Philippines for gourmet dinner at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar and shop for fine vintage wine in Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine and rare vintage wines only available in the Freeport zone. With the SCTex – Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway – now opened and the travel time between Clark and Subic reduced to a mere 30 minutes, Clark is much more accessible to residents of Subic. Residents of Subic and nearby towns of Pampanga such as San Fernando frequently travel to Clark to wine and dine at this top rated restaurant. Many stay on after dinner to relax and unwind in the beautiful wine bar called The Magnum Room.

Residents of Manila travel out of town for a short getaway up north visit Angeles city, Clark, Pampanga, Philippines to wine and dine and enjoy a special dinner at the best restaurants in the country. Even people from Subic and Cebu travel to Clark to enjoy a special evening and some great food and rare vintage wine at this fine dining restaurant. The famous wine shop outside Manila in Pampanga called Clark Wine Center is frequently visited by wine lovers and tourists for a bit of wine shopping.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

If you are looking for things to do in Clark Philippines and Angeles City Pampanga, why don’t you do a little wine shopping at the most famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center? One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga. It is one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga.

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today this wine shop in Clark Pampanga offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s famous wine shop, Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is a well known wine shop that is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

Yats Leisure Philippines

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Buy wine baskets in Manila as gifts to friends and business associates
Wine lovers in Philippines can find good red wines in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of French red wines from Bordeaux are Chateau Gloria, Chateau Lafite, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Petrus, Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Ausone, Chateau le Pin, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Carruades de Lafite, Chateau les Forts de Latour, Chateau Pichon Lalande. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. They are also great wines to include in wine gift baskets for delivery in the Philippines. Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors. These wine tasting events held by Yats are non-commercial. Yats Wine Cellars does not promote a specific winery, producer or a brand. These wine tastings and wine dinners held in Manila and Pampanga are all designed to let wine lovers explore more interesting aspects of wine.