TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Kalinga’s capital city showcased its weaving heritage and the artistry and innovation of its weavers and designers in the first-ever Mangwa Fashion Show on Nov. 28, 2024 at the Tabuk City People’s gymnasium.
Held with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga, the show championed Tabuk City’s native ‘Gittot’ and ‘Laktob’ weaving designs through the works of its local designers.
Fifteen local designers showed off their collections of contemporary fashion pieces that incorporate the ‘Gittot’ and ‘Laktob’ textiles, from kids’ clothes, office wear, formal attire, and creative wear to bags.
According to the Office of the City Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Affairs (OCTACA), the ‘Gittot’ and ‘Laktob’ originated from the Naneng sub-tribe, one of Tabuk’s indigenous communities.
The ‘Laktob’ is traditionally worn by males and is characterized by small and fine patterns of snake (dili), small eyes (atta), and heart (dinungo).
The ‘Gittot’ is for females. It is similar to the male version but with bigger eye patterns, wider space between the colors, and with the snake pattern usually depicted as a single curving line.
“[The fashion show] is to showcase the weaving industry of Tabuk, ‘yung sariling atin sa Tabuk, kasi may mga design ang Lubuagan, Pinukpuk, and other municipalities, meron din tayo dito sa Tabuk,” said Marjorie Lingbawan, OCTACA Supervising Tourism Operations Officer.
Local designers expressed their appreciation for the initiative as it provides another platform to promote their products and boost the industry.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity for our local weavers and designers. I’m hoping that this will open the market for our local designers. Sana mabigyan pa kami ng maraming chances. Ang daming magagaling sa atin,” local designer Joon Ascaño said.
The Mangwa Fashion Show is among the activities lined up in the Mangwa Creative Festival this November geared towards promoting Tabuk City’s creative industry. The festival is supported by the DTI’s Lunsod Lunsad program in line with the Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR)
