LAGAYAN, Abra (PIA) — Festivals are often derived from folk tales, historical events, religious practices and cultural backgrounds.
For the town of Lagayan in Abra, its Laga Festival is inspired by the townsfolk’s craftwork ‘Panaglaga,’ an Iluko term which means to weave.
Baskets and fish traps locally known as ‘Barekbek’ are major tools for livelihood aside from farming. These are traditionally handwoven crafts using bamboo strips, vines and other native materials.
The Laga Festival, now on its fifth year, continues to celebrate panaglaga as a time-honored source of livelihood, contributing to the town’s progress and unity.
Lagayan Mayor Edmarc Crisologo committed support in sustaining this tradition by leading various activities such as agri-fairs and a street dancing competition using the woven products of the town.
“Dagitoy nga banag ti pakakitaan ti kultura ditoy Lagayan. Dakkel ti impaay nan a pagsiaatan ditoy ili tayo ket saan tayo kuma nga lipliptanan ken rumbeng nalang nga supapakan tayo ti saan agpatinga a suporta,’’ Crisologo said.
[They see the culture of Lagayan in these things. It brought much benefit to our town so we must not forget them and we must reward them with unending support.]
An elder from Poblacion, Lagayan has been practicing bamboo weaving for more than 65 years.
At age 12, Leonardo ‘Narding’ Pariñas was first introduced to the panaglaga. His teacher in Grade 6 taught the basics of fish trap weaving in their arts and education subject.
“Idi elementaria ak, jay maestro mi a nagisuro ti arts and education, panaglaga ti barekbek ti maysa nga insuro na. Nu man pay saan ko a na- perfect idi grade 6 nak, at least ammokun ti aglaga,” he stated.
[When I was in elementary, our teacher in arts and education taught us how to weave barekbek. I have not perfected, but at least, I know how to do it.]
In search for better opportunities, Pariñas went to Manila and worked for some years in factories there.
With a heart for panaglaga, he eventually returned to Lagayan to help his family, engaging in bamboo weaving.
“Idi agtawen nak ti 24, inayaban nak jay uncle ko diay Manila ket nagtrabaho nak ti factory ti stapler. Nagawid nak manen ditoy Lagayan ta kastoy panagaramid ti barekbek ti inubrak. Naglakoak ti barekbek ken agkalap ti lames ta isu pagbiag mi idi,” he recalled.
[When I was 24 years old, my uncle called me to work for a stapler factory in Manila. I eventually returned to Lagayan and committed to making barekbek. I sold fish traps and engaged in fishing which our livelihood back then.]
Passing the tradition to the younger generation, he ensures that the youth of Lagayan keep the tradition alive by involving them in fishing and teaching them to produce handwoven fish traps.
“Adda dagiti ubbing nga ammo da aglaga ti barekbek ta nasuroan dan. Uray daytoy putot ko nga inauna, ammo na payen isu nga addanto latta mangituloy,” he shared.
[There are young people who know how to weave fish traps because they were taught. My eldest also knows how to do it. They will continue this tradition.]
Today, Pariñas continues to sell barekbek for P80.00 per piece. He said that selling 10 pieces would suffice his daily needs for a week.
The rich legacy of the tradition of panaglaga lives on. (JDP/CAGT –PIA CAR, Abra)
