Weaving the threads of human connection, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (BAJ) 4-2N launched iCommunicate XXVII - Hibsay, accentuating the local arts heritage of the Philippines at the Lawang Bato, Valenzuela City on March 20.
(Photos by Jannah Taguibao/The Communicator)
A portmanteau between “hibla,” which means threads or fiber, and “saysay,” meaning of essence, Hibsay has sewn diverse cultural stories into one cloth journey.
“Ang Hibsay ay sumasalaysay sa iba’t ibang kwento sa ating lipunan at mayaman nating kultura. Ito ay nagsisilbi ring paalala kung gaano kaganda at kung gaano ka-rich ang kulturang Pilipino. Napakalawak ng diversity natin ngunit pinagbubuklod tayo nito into one solid nation,” Precious Altura, the managing editor of Hibsay, introduced.
Highlighting the threads of Philippine arts and crafts, the National Artist for Film, Eric “Kidlat Tahimik” De Guia, and Ibaan women weavers center the interwoven stories of Hibsay.
Kidlat is not ‘Tahimik’
Hailed as the “Father of Philippine Independent Media,” Kidlat Tahimik made noise in the film industry with his film “Mababangong Bangungot,” which he wrote, produced, directed, shot, and starred in—enough to bag him several awards both locally and internationally.
However, just like how lightning never strikes twice in the same area, the 81-year-old artist expanded in the field of art with his “Ili-likha” technique, utilizing various recyclable elements into a piece made through the principles of “Bathala na,” which stemmed from his so-called Indo-genius.
Despite growing up in America, Kidlat’s indo-genius prompted him to return to his motherland and uplift the indigenous culture. For the mad artist of Baguio City, his art should not be merely free from thoughts—but from Western shackles that dominated the Philippine art industry.
“Sa mga ‘di nakakaalam, ‘yung cover namin is si National Artist for Film and Father of Philippine Indie Cinema. So, he is tatay Kidlat Tahimik and we are very very proud—Kasi sabi nga ni Sir Jai, iComm na ito ‘e, did you go big? Kaya sabi namin, dayuhin namin sa Baguio, we go big,” Hibay's Editor-in-Chief Camille Zarate stated.
Women weavers of Ibaan
Ibaan was once the cradle of “Kulambo'' in the Philippines, but, just like the story of Kidlat—globalization wore off the native culture of “paghahabi.” However, for Remedios Valencia and the Santa Margarita Sunrise Weaving Association (SMSWA), the threads of heritage will not be cut short—not during their time.
“‘Yung isa is the Habing Ibaan, ang mga women weavers mula sa Ibaan, Batangas. We wanted to share their story kung paanong gustong-gusto nilang i-revive ‘yung traditional weaving and kung paanong gustong-gusto nilang panatilihin ito hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Kasi that’s how we want to protect and preserve the culture,” Zarate explained.
Seven years ago, the women of Ibaan loomed into the creation of SMSWA, weaving their hopes together to revive the art of handloom weaving.
“Ang masasabi ko lang, sa pagdaan siguro ng panahon, kaya rin namin makisabay. Napaka-importante kasi nito. Dahil dito nga nakasalamin ang kultura ng habing Pilipino. Kaya hindi dapat natin baliwalain ang paghabi ng kamay,” Valencia said.
In navigating the threads of human connection, Zarate and BAJ 4-2N proved to find sense in every fiber—a saysay in every hibla—Hibsay.
From Kidlat Tahimik to the women weavers of Ibaan, bouquet making to handmade mat making, and Piña fibers to the Philippine fashion scene, Hibsay showcased the rich, indigenous culture of the Philippines away from the Western lenses of the mainstream industry.
“Ito ngayon ang pagsubok sa isang mahusay na pagbabalita. Paano magkakaroon ng saysay ang mga bagay na nagsasalubong? Parang pagsubok din sa mga peryodistang tulad natin. Paano natin maiuugnay ang mga ideyang ito?,” asked Professor John Robert Bolledo.
Ngunit sa paghahabi ng magugulong impormasyon, nasusukat din ang galing ng mga peryodistang tulad natin at walang duda, ito ang pinakita ng Hibsay. Higit sa pagiging makabuluhang piyesa, ang obra maestra ng BAJ 4-2N ay ‘di hamak na may lakip na pag-ibig para sa ating mayamang kultura,” Bolledo remarked.
iCommunicate is the official magazine of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Communication (COC), produced by seniors of the Department of Journalism.
Article: Marc Nathaniel Servo
Graphics: Lourence Angelo Marcellana
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