Ilocos Region Arts & Crafts PDF

Prepared and Presented by: Angeline Dimaano & Ghia Miranda ILOCOS REGION (Region 1) “A place of warm smiles and friendly embraces” Geographical Location: Ilocos Region, off...

Prepared and Presented by: Angeline Dimaano & Ghia Miranda ILOCOS REGION (Region 1) “A place of warm smiles and friendly embraces” Geographical Location: Ilocos Region, officially designated as Region I, is an administrative region in the Philippines occupying the northwestern section of Luzon. It covers 4 provinces, namely, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. The regional center is the City of San Fernando.  Map: Ilocos Region is bordered, clockwise from the Northeast, by the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and the South China Sea. History Background: The region was first inhabited by the aboriginal Negritos, before they were pushed by successive waves of Austronesian immigrants that penetrated the narrow coast. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century and established Christian missions and governmental institutions to control the native population and convert them to Roman Catholic. In 1901, the region came under the American colonial rule, and in 1941, under Japanese occupation. During 1945, the American and the Philippine Commonwealth troops including the Ilocano and Pangasinense guerilas the Ilocos Region from Japanese forces during the Second World War.  WEAVING: INABEL - a traditional handwoven fabric that carries the soul of the Ilocanos. In the rhythmic clatter of looms and the intricate patterns of their deep-rooted significance, Inabel weaves stories of the Philippines' rich and diverse cultural heritage. "Abel” is MAGDALENA GAMAYO the Ilocano word for weave, and “Inabel” can be interpreted to mean any kind of woven fabric. The high demand for the famous handwoven abel Iloco nearly killed the Spanish weaving industry during the galleon trade era. The patterns and motifs of Inabel frequently reflect the daily lifestyle of the weavers and our natural landscapes, emphasizing their connection to the environment and to their ancestors. They use cotton or kapas as the main material and the pedal loom, called pangablan in textile production. ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES  POTTERY: BURNAY - was originally used to age vinegar, wine & "bagoong" or fish paste. In Vigan, the clay is kneaded by a carabao before it goes to the potter's wheel that is today still spun by foot. It is then shaped into jars, dried & fired in a kiln. These fragile pieces of art combine the elements of earth, water, wind & fire that only expert "agdamdamili" or potter can only achieve. The potter mixes fine gravel, sand and ashes and fires the clay to make the burnay heavy and sturdy. The unglazed earthen jar industry in Burnay has its roots in the pre-colonial era, when Chinese immigrants arrived in Vigan and stayed there. Burnay jars are small-mouthed and were originally used for sipping tea, storing water, rice grains, salt, brown sugar, and bagoong (fermented fish). ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES  - This traditional industry thrives in the towns of Cabugao, Quirino, Galimuyod San Juan, bamboo crafts: Santa and Sugpon. Soft-trip bamboos taken from the interior flesh of the bamboo are made into trays and baskets called “labba.” Today, the industry has introduced innovations to meet the demands of the market. Pangasinan's profusion of bamboo made it easy to create a wide range of artistic and practical objects. Additionally, Pangasinan's economy and cultural identity now heavily rely on bamboo crafts. The province had been divided into numerous kingdoms before the galleon ships arrived and before it was recognized as Pangasinan; one of these kingdoms was known as "Caboloan" because of the profusion of a type of bamboo known as "bolo" in the kingdom's central plains. HELLEN RULLODA ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES wood carving Another significant art form in Pangasinan. Local artists display their extraordinary ability to carve complex patterns into a variety of wooden objects. The woodcarvings of Pangasinan, which range from statues and figures to furniture and décor, are evidence of the skillful craftsmanship that has been passed down through the generations. ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES  Handicrafts called buri are made from the leaves of the palm trees that bear the same name and are widely found in the coastal towns of Pangasinan. Together, the ladies of Anda BURI Island's Cabarruyan Agrarian Reform Cooperative create the most exquisite handcrafted artwork. CRAFT Because women make up the majority of the business, the handicrafts enable housewives, mothers, and other women to express who they are through their God-given skill of making buri handicrafts. The ladies of Cabarruyan are skilled at making almost anything a customer would BURI FAN want, including buri purses, caps, baskets, and wedding mementos. Depending on how intricate the ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES design is, a buri handcraft  Loom Weaving Blanket weaving is one of the main industries in Bangar, La Union. Few people in this town who live in the countryside have knowledge of it. Industry handed down through generations and dates back to the Spanish period. A craft mastered by small-scale weavers, it thrives in a number of municipalities in the province. Sails of galleons that plied the Manila to Mexico route were made of abel manufactured from the looms of Ilocos. Product lines include placemats, table runners, table napkins, hand towels, blankets, pillow cases, and clothing materials or fabrics. ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES  STONE CRAFT LUNA ART GALLERY, LA UNION It is also a major product of Up-Uplas, Sudipen, La Union. Here, the residents transform inconspicuous stones into various unique, quirky, and wonderful creations like table decors, garden decors, and sculptures. They might be heavy, but they’re worth taking home as a unique souvenir and remembrance of La Union ARTS & CRAFT PRACTICES ILOCOS REGION