[PAINTING] The last Tabungaw hat makers

    This painting is about Teofilo Garcia and his work. Teofilo Garcia Born on March 27, 1941. He has learned making the tabungaw from his grandfather when he was still 15 years old. “Tabungaw,” in Ilocano, “Upo” in Filipino, (White) Gourd in English, is a vegestable-crop that can be made into a hat which Ilocano’s are famous for. Teofilo Garcia, who is from Sabulod, San Quintin, Abra, was hailed as a National Living Treasure or GAMABA in 2012 for his efforts in keeping the traditional tabungaw-making alive.

Author of work: Valencia, Richel Ann S.