LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — Ilokanos are immersed with the cultural heritage across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with the doll collection exhibit brought to Arte Luna in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, on Nov. 22 by the Ayala Museum.
Through its partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, it showcases 12 meticulously crafted dolls representing significant costumes worn by various groups across the Philippines.
It puts the spotlight on the cultural heritage of the Cordilleras and northern areas of the Philippines.
Originally comprising 69 dolls, the collection reflects the diverse heritage of the country’s major islands.
Each doll in the collection was laboriously crafted in the scale of 1:4 to highlight and dramatize the distinctive features of the subcultures they embody.
Moreover, these dolls are fashioned from wood carved by skilled artisan Mar Edjawan from Paete, Laguna, using traditional clothing materials and body adornments authentic to the cultures they represent.
“It’s a great honor to welcome you (Ayala Group) and to host this exhibition. It’s always easy to work with the Ayala Group,” said Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc during its ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Manotoc has also expressed his desire to update and refresh all existing museums in Ilocos Norte, especially the Arte Luna, which is “underutilized.”
He has also discussed his vision for a museum curation course with the Mariano Marcos State University to make way for a homegrown museum curator.
According to the Ayala Group, the doll collection was first included in “The Diorama Experience: Philippine History.”
It was later decommissioned and placed in storage.
Conservation measures have also been implemented to ensure the preservation of dolls.
Each doll has undergone treatment conservation, a method similar to museum restoration that recovers them to their original physical and aesthetic forms for a more enjoyable experience.
“It is amazing that we must know our history on different clothing, especially on the design patterns, so that we can use it properly. We know that cultural preservation will be a legacy that will open the eyes of future generations. I am also lucky that I met an artist who values arts and culture, which leads me to dig in more about our roots,” said Emil John Agudo, one of the first batches to view the collection.
The Ayala Museum invites the public to explore this unique exhibition, which not only showcases the beauty of Philippine craftsmanship but also serves as a vital reminder of the richness of the country’s cultural heritage.
The exhibit is open until Jan. 31, 2025, and can be viewed daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (AMB/MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)
