Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria (third from left) and Herminia Gonçalves (fourth from left) gifted each other with hand-woven bags from the Philippines and Portugal, respectively.
09 September 2021, Lisbon - As part of the extensive program of the 17th Terras Sem Sombra Festival in Ferreira do Alentejo, the Philippine Embassy in Portugal, led by Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria, introduced the creative and indigenous weaving traditions of the Philippines through the activity entitled Colher, Enlaçar, Tintar: A Cestaria em Odivelas (Harvesting, Lacing, Dyeing: The Basketry in Odivelas), held on 04 September 2021 in Odivelas, one of the parishes under the Municipality of Ferreiro do Alentejo.
Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria trying out the tradition weaving basket technique in making the “cestas de Odivelas”, as taught by Portuguese artisan Donha Hermínia Gonçalves.
The afternoon event was organized by Dr. Maria João Pina, cultural director of the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo. Dr. Pina shared that the tradition of cestaria or basketry is considered in an intangible cultural heritage, a tradition of creating objects using several types of vegetable fibers found around the municipality. A live weaving demonstration was also conducted by Donha Hermínia Gonçalves, one of the last remaining artisans who has kept alive the Portuguese tradition of basket making in Odivelas. Donha Hermínia Gonçalves showcased her mastery and techniques of weaving natural and dyed reeds which later on transformed into colorful baskets commonly known as Cestas de Odivelas.
In her presentation, Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria took the opportunity to highlight the commonalities in the weaving traditions of both the Philippines and Portugal. As in Portugal, weaving mats using indigenous grass and reeds continues to be an integral part of Philippine culture and tradition, one which predates the arrival of the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Fernao de Magalhaes when he arrived in the island of Guian, now part of the province of Samar.
Ambassador Feria brought with her a variety of handwoven products from banigs to functional baskets to colorful designed bags. She emphasized that weaving is a tradition in the Philippines that is commonly done by women, and is a craft that supports the livelihood of women in rural communities, as it is in Portugal.
Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria surrounded by Portuguese locals eagerly listening to her discussion on Philippine weaving traditions
Ambassador Feria underscored that similar to Portugal’s objective, the Philippines likewise advocates and is committed to protect, preserve, and pass on the tradition to the next generation to help keep the weaving tradition alive.
Ferreira do Alentejo Mayor Luís António Pita Ameixa together with the municipality officials and a crowd of Portuguese locals were impressed by the colorful and intricate patterns of the handwoven products from the Philippines.
After the event, discussions between the Philippine Embassy in Portugal and officials of the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo were held to revive the previously proposed agreement that will provide opportunities for both countries to develop, protect and preserve each other’s weaving traditions.
In November 2019, Ambassador Feria together with Mr. Albert Avellana, curator of the banig exhibition organized by the Philippine Embassy entitled Banig: A Living Tradition of Mat Weaving for over 500 Years, along with and Mr. Elmer Nochesada author of the book, Rara: Art and Tradition of Mat Weaving in the Philippines, and Ms. Eva Marie Adona, weaver from Basey in Samar, visited Ferreira do Alentejo in November 2019 to see first-hand the weaving tradition of the Cestas de Odivelas and to share design and product development ideas, with the aim of creating synergies that will support each country’s industry.
