28/05/2026
𝗗𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗫 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗭𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘
DUPAX DEL SUR, NUEVA VIZCAYA — In a major step toward reclaiming its ancestral heritage, this municipality successfully concluded the intensive four-day "Man Ave’ Tau’t Ikat Workshop," breathing new life into a long-dormant cultural tradition and honoring the Isinays’ historical legacy as some of the finest master weavers of the northern regions.
The intensive training, which brought together Isinay elders, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), and participants from neighboring indigenous groups residing in Dupax del Sur, marks a critical milestone in the ongoing mission to safeguard a nearly extinct Cordilleran art form.
The emotional weight of the event was felt deeply during the closing reflection sessions. Barangay IPMR Leticia emphasized the workshop’s profound importance in preserving the intricate craft that historically placed the Isinay people on the global map of textile masters.
Echoing his sentiment, Sherlock Magaway, the Barangay IPMR of Baan, Aritao, offered words of encouragement and pledged his firm commitment to supporting institutional activities geared toward the preservation and promotion of Isinay culture.
The success of the workshop highlights the enduring dedication of Jeannie Bernadette Laccay, the visionary cultural entrepreneur who organized the event. Laccay, who initially picked up the craft in 2018, unexpectedly discovered that her own tribe's rich weaving heritage had completely died out with previous generations.
Driven by a new purpose, she single-handedly catalyzed the revival of Isinay weaving. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her localized community workshops provided vital livelihoods and ultimately paved the way for the birth of Aruga Handwovens, an acclaimed local brand specializing in handcrafted baby carriers and contemporary ready-to-wear pieces featuring distinct Isinay patterns.
To guarantee technical precision, organizers invited Benita Balangto, an esteemed Ifugao Master Weaver from Ifugao and member of the Kiyyangan Weavers Association (KIWA), who traveled to the workshop alongside her daughter, Flordeliza B. Labita.
The collaboration represents a beautiful full-circle moment for the region’s textile history. Years prior, it was Balangto and Labita who originally trained Jeannie Laccay and Mary Ann Portilla—now the foundational master weavers of the Isinay revival—during an immersive cultural exchange in Kiangan, Ifugao. This crucial cross-regional network was made possible through the academic and cultural groundwork laid by Dr. Analyn Salvador-Amores and Marlon Martin.
In an inspiring address to the trainees, Balangto underscored the historical urgency of reviving the Ikat (Binobodan) practices of the Isinays, recognizing them as true pioneers of the craft.
"You must weave consistently," Balangto urged. "The loom serves as a living, breathing reminder of your unique cultural identity."
The closing ceremony was attended by prominent Isinay cultural advocates, including Dr. Jean Laccay, Mina Quiday, and Pascuala Badoya. Their presence stood as a powerful testament to the Isinay community’s unified dedication to reclaiming its lost textile heritage.
The workshop's success was heavily bolstered by robust government backing. The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dupax del Sur, under the leadership of Honorable Mayor Neil Magaway and facilitated by OIC Municipal Tourism Officer (MTO) Gerry Daran, provided crucial logistical and financial resources.
Further reinforcing the advocacy, the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PLGU), led by Governor Atty. Jose "Papa Jing" Gambito, extended its vital support by allocating an additional PHP 10,000 fund to ensure the continuity of local weaving initiatives.
