TALAKAG, Bukidnon (PIA) —Ten seasoned weavers and 20 aspiring members of the Damugu Weavers Association (DWA) came together at the Covered Court in Brgy. San Rafael, Talakag town in February, to share skills, experiences, and a passion for their craft.
The workshop aimed to merge product enhancement with a space for artisans to reconnect, share experiences, and strengthen their community.
Founded in 2018, the group preserves and innovates its weaving heritage. Tribal elders Bae Cornita Sagayan and Bae Nenita Hugnaan led the hands-on training, reinforcing traditional patterns and introducing new techniques.
The discussions also covered sustainable material sourcing, quality control, and market opportunities to help weavers improve products and expand their reach.
Despite challenges from modernization and a decline in young weavers, DWA continues to innovate while staying true to its roots, with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 10 and the local government of Talakag.
At the gathering, 78-year-old Bae Celestina Agsunod, the last of her generation to remember the intricate patterns of her ancestors, shared her experience. She learned weaving from her mother, who inherited it from her grandmother.
“When I was younger, I could easily weave patterns and even names into these mats,” she shared, her hands effortlessly interlacing the sudsud fibers.
DWA President Irene Mae Sinhayan finds hope for future generations. Reflecting on the group’s journey, she expressed gratitude for interventions that improved their productivity and product value, helping provide for families.
“Contrary to what some believe, I have never regarded this as a forgotten culture. It has always been here—it just sleeps within the community and in us. I prefer calling it a sleeping culture, and with this group, my goal is to wake it up and make it vibrant again,” Sinhayan said.
Virgilio M. Fuertes, DOST-10 Chief Science Research Specialist, affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the craft.
“While the association honors the dreams of their elders, we in the government share a vision of a future where their craft thrives, their community prospers, and their heritage continues to inspire generations to come,” he said
Talakag Municipal Administrator Alberto S. Bigcas shared the same perspective and expressed the local government’s support.
“The word ‘Damugu’ means dream. But now, it is no longer just a dream—it is becoming a reality,” he declared at the event.
The activity was part of the “Uplifting Grassroots Livelihood Opportunities through Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI)” project, a 2024 extension of “Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development.” These projects support unconventional innovations—those not typically part of formal research but widely used by ordinary people, particularly in marginalized sectors.
Through each woven strand, the Damugu Weavers revive not just an art form but a heritage waiting to shine again. (RMDEPaano/DOST 10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)
