The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)-Western Visayas will feature women weavers, considered as unsung heroes of Antique, during the Aug. 30 webinar to celebrate National Heroes Day in the province.
Board Member Errol Santillan, chairman of the committee on history and cultural heritage of the Antique Provincial Board, said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday the NMP as the provincial government partner will present the crucial role of women, particularly during the Spanish period.
“I have received a beautiful proposal from the NMP that they will be presenting the Antiqueño women, particularly the loom weavers of the province as unsung heroes of the province,” he said.
Santillan said the NMP presentation is something new that webinar participants will be interested to know how their patadyong makers or textile weavers, known to be shy and submissive to men, were also considered as heroes during the struggle from foreign domination.
“I learned that the patadyong was used to transport the wounded and dead soldiers then,” Santillan said.
The making of patadyong, a colorful cloth of checkered or plaid patterns, is still an existing livelihood in Bugasong and Tibiao towns of the province.
Although it has a variety of uses, patadyong is primarily used by women as a skirt but was also previously used as a hammock for babies and for transporting the sick across hills, valleys, and rivers.
In addition to women weavers, the Culasi Tourism Office will present the stories of Capt. Silverio Lacson-Cadiao, known as the freedom crusader during the Japanese occupation, and Don Juan Xavier, considered the Father of Culasi independence. Both have statues in their honor in the municipality.
Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta, in a separate virtual press conference, commended Santillan for coming up with the webinar that will refresh the minds of the Antiqueños about the important contributions of their ancestors in the armed struggle against foreign invaders.
“I encourage the participation of everyone, especially the present generation, in the webinar because it will create awareness on how our great Antiqueño heroes fought for our freedom,” he said.
During the virtual event, two historians will also talk about the life story of Gen. Leandro Fullon and Lt. Ruperto Abellon, who helped organize the revolutionary government, and Gen. Valentin Grasparil, the former commander of the 66th Infantry Regiment during World War II. (PNA)
