06/07/2024
𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒏, 𝑩𝒖𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒐𝒏
From July 2-5, 2024, the Tribal Dressmaking and Embroidery Training took place at Reign’s Guest House in Pangantucan, Bukidnon. This initiative was a partnership and collaboration between the local government unit of Pangantucan, through the tourism office, with the support of the Department of Tourism, Region 10 (DOT 10) under the Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bukidnon.
The program was launched in response to a request from Manobo women leaders who expressed the desire to pass on the valuable cultural knowledge of "sulam" embroidery, a tradition upheld by “Bae Impandi” Preciosa Sulda, to the youth of the Indigenous Peoples Community. Ms. Lea Apal, Pangantucan's Tourism Officer, responded favorably, as the project aligns with the local government's mandate to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
Although the project initially faced budget constraints, Ms. Apal found a way to realize it by partnering with DOT 10 and DTI Bukidnon. Both government agencies provided significant support for the project, with approvals from Regional Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan and Provincial Director Famelah Raquel D. Villanueva.
Following the graduation of 25 participants, a turnover ceremony was held where DOT 10 handed over two sewing machines, cloth materials, and sewing kits to LGU Pangantucan. The materials were officially received by Ms. Lea Apal, representing Municipal Mayor Miguel A. Silva, Jr. The turnover was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement and was witnessed by Ms. Philline Labadan, a DTI Business Counselor. The materials were immediately awarded to the Manobo Indigenous Community represented by “Bae Impandi” and Mr. Windell Sulda, and training participants, including Lumagwasen women.
The participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and demonstrated dedication and seriousness in learning throughout the training. They were fortunate to be personally taught by “Bae Impandi,” who, along with her son Windell Kevin Sulda, shared their extensive knowledge of “sulam” (a Menubu term for the traditional way of embroidery). The participants learned the basics of dressmaking from sketching, cutting, understanding parts of the sewing machine, and most importantly, the Manobo design patterns and the techniques to show these designs through embroidery. Their involvement ensures that this cultural knowledge will be preserved for future generations.
Ms. Apal praised the gender-sensitive composition of the participants, highlighting the inclusion of a very young trainee, aged 12. This young participant's involvement helps ensure that this valuable knowledge will be passed on. Ms. Apal also committed to assisting in the protection of the ownership of the Manobo Indigenous designs, and patterns by collaborating with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Congratulations to all the participants. May you continue to practice and perpetuate the important cultural heritage you have learned, ensuring that it will live on forever.
