By Leilanie Adriano
PINILI, Ilocos Norte— Ilocanos paid tribute to national living treasure Magdalena Gamayo, who celebrated her 101st birth-day in the quaint village of Lumbaan-Bicbica in Pinili, Ilocos Norte on August 13, 2025.
Gamayo, known as “Lola Dalen”, received in 2012 the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award from the National Com-mission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in recognition of her mastery in producing intricate designs and inventing her own patterns of abel Iloco or “inabel,” and her passion for keeping the traditional weaving industry alive.
To celebrate her natal day, the local government unit of Pinili, through a municipal ordinance, declared August 13, 2025 as the first Inabel Day in the town.
Among the highlights of the event, held at the Pinili Inabel Center, were an essay writing and photo contest, as well as a poster-making exhibition participated by students to honor Gamayo’s legacy, which continues to inspire young Ilocanos to appreciate and learn the art of loom weaving.
The master weaver is renowned for her dedication to preserving “inabel,” the traditional handwoven fabric of the Ilocano people.
For decades, she has been passing on her knowledge to younger generations, ensuring that this cultural heritage re-mains alive and relevant.
The inaugural Inabel Day celebration was made more meaningful when a young Ilocano artist, Reymark Orario from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, made Gamayo a portrait painting capturing not only her likeness but also the spirit of her craft.
This did not escape the eyes of National Youth Commissioner for Luzon Gervy James Gumarit, who commended the artwork as a powerful example of how young people can honor tradition through modern forms of ex-pression.
“The occasion serves as a call for young Filipinos to embrace their cultural identity, learn from elder artisans, and find creative ways to integrate traditional values into contemporary life—ensuring that the nation’s rich heritage continues to inspire the present and shape the future,” Gumarit said in a statement.
Through Proclamation 664 signed last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared Aug. 13, 2024 to Aug. 12, 2025 as the Centennial Year of Gamayo.
