By Eva Visperas
In the heart of Bangar, La Union, the gentle hum of looms and the rhythmic motion of skilled hands have echoed through generations, preserving a tradition that binds the province’s cultural fabric.
Bangar, La Union, is known far and wide for its Inabel—the town’s prized handwoven fabric, renowned for its fine quality and beautiful designs. For centuries, this craft has been more than just an economic activity. It has been the lifeblood of the community, a symbol of resilience and creativity.
On November 25 to 27, 2024, that heritage was celebrated and safeguarded in a groundbreaking initiative that aimed not only to revive, but to pass down the intricate art of handloom weaving to a new generation. The launch of the Abel Academy: School of Living Traditions marked a pivotal moment in La Union’s ongoing commitment to preserving its cultural treasures, offering a glimpse into a future where tradition and innovation go hand in hand, a statement from the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) said.
Held at Nogueras Weaving in Bangar, the three-day program was a vibrant gathering of 40 eager young participants from the community, each chosen to immerse themselves in the art form that has been synonymous with their town for centuries. The Abel Academy was more than just a workshop; it was a bridge to the past, where the province’s most skilled loom weavers, known locally as “Cultural Bearers,” shared their knowledge, skills, and stories with the next generation.
The academy, an initiative of the PGLU through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO), in collaboration with the local government of Bangar, provided the perfect setting for the participants to dive into the world of handloom weaving. Under the watchful eyes of seasoned practitioners, the young learners were taught how to operate the traditional Tillar loom—a time-honored piece of machinery that has been the heart of the weaving process in Bangar for decades.
“The Abel Academy is a vital program that empowers our youth and connects them with their roots,” said LUPTO Officer-in-Charge Julius Manabat, during the opening ceremony. “We are proud to support this initiative and are excited to see how the creativity and innovation of these young loom weavers will shape the future of the industry,” he added.
Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the crucial role of the youth in preserving Bangar’s weaving heritage. “We are not just teaching them how to weave; we are showing them how to carry the mantle of tradition into the future,” Gov. Ortega-David said.
She added, “Our loom weaving industry is not only a symbol of our cultural identity, but also a vital part of our economic story. This academy is a testament to that.”
Indeed, the Abel Academy was not just about weaving threads into patterns, but about weaving a tighter bond between the present and the past. The academy aimed to instill in its participants a sense of pride in their cultural heritage, while simultaneously fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that could help them navigate the modern world.
As the days progressed, the participants—mostly young Bangareños—learned the delicate art of transforming raw thread into intricate patterns that tell stories of their people, their land, and their history. With each pass of the shuttle, they became more than just weavers; they became keepers of a tradition that had long been at risk of fading into obscurity.
But the true highlight of the event came on the final day, with the establishment of the Young Loomweavers Association of Bangar (YLAB). This newly-formed youth-led organization, with its elected officers—Phil Marie Nogueras-Lucina as President, Benigno Mon, Jr. as Vice President, Vanessa Lacsama as Secretary, Errol Paulo Carbonell as Treasurer, and Rico Liamco as Auditor—represents a new hope for the continued relevance of the weaving tradition. The association’s mission is clear: to ensure that the skills learned at the academy are not only preserved, but are actively promoted, ensuring the next generation of weavers can build on the work of their forebears.
“May this activity inspire us, unite us, and remind us of the beauty that lies within our cultural heritage,” Governor Ortega-David said in her closing remarks, a sentiment echoed by the smiles of the participants as they proudly showcased their woven creations.
The closing ceremony was nothing short of a celebration, as the academy participants displayed their handwoven works—vibrant fabrics that carried the unmistakable touch of new talent. For the youth of Bangar, the event marked the beginning of a new era for the region’s loom weaving industry—one where tradition and innovation can coexist, and where the skills of the past can be transformed into the creative expressions of the future.
Now, with initiatives like the Abel Academy, La Union is ensuring that the art of handloom weaving will continue to thrive, not just as a symbol of the past, but as a beacon of the future.
The provincial government, through its focus on agri-tourism, is determined to keep the art alive, making La Union not only a place of natural beauty but a cultural destination where the past and present are intricately woven together.
In Bangar, the looms are clattering, and the future of handloom weaving is in good hands.