Magdalena Gamayo: The 101-Year-Old Weaving Legend from Ilocos Norte
Meet Magdalena Gamayo, a Filipino weaving legend whose hands create story-rich fabric. Born in 1924 in Ilocos Norte, she’s been weaving the traditional Ilocano “inabel” cloth for over 80 years. Her story is a window into history, culture, and pure craftsmanship.
Early Life & First Loom
Magdalena grew up in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, and learned weaving from her aunt at just 16 years old. She quickly mastered complex designs like spirals and flowers. Her father built her first wooden loom, and that same loom lasted for decades. By starting so young, she laid the foundation for her lifetime dedication.
Master of Inabel Patterns
Over the years, she self-taught intricate designs—binakol (whirlwinds), inuritan (geometric), kusikos (spirals), and sinan-sabong (flowers). She even recreated patterns from memory when no sample was available. Her skill grew so precise that her fabric featured high thread count and detailed patterns. Every piece she weaves shows deep passion and accuracy.
National Treasure Recognition
In 2012, she received the prestigious GAMABA award (National Living Treasure Award). This honor recognizes her as one of the Philippines’ top sixteenth artisans. It was a huge moment, celebrating her century‑old weaving legacy. The award cemented her role as a cultural icon.
A Long Life and Saluyot
Magdalena Gamayo once credited her long life to eating saluyot when she was younger. She loved this leafy green, which is known for its many health benefits like helping with digestion and reducing inflammation. Even Juan Ponce Enrile said the same thing about saluyot’s power to keep people healthy and strong. These days though, she mostly enjoys eating meat—and lots of it!
Faith Keeps Her Grounded
Many people don’t know that Magdalena Gamayo is a devoted member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. She believes that faith in God plays a big role in living a meaningful and successful life. Her strong belief has guided her through challenges and blessings. To her, weaving isn’t just work—it’s also a gift from God.
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Passing It On
Even in her late 90s and early 100s, she actively teaches younger weavers in her community. Her students include relatives and neighbors who now carry on her methods. She believes these skills must live beyond her lifetime. Her loom is now a tool for sharing, not just weaving.
Challenges & Hopes
Hand‑woven inabel now competes with mass‑produced fabrics. Supplies are harder to get, and many locals worry about sustaining the craft. Still, Magdalena remains hopeful that interest—local and international—will help keep inabel alive. She encourages her apprentices to continue weaving despite the hurdles.
Magdalena Gamayo’s life is woven into every yard of inabel she creates and shares. From humble beginnings to becoming a National Living Treasure, her legacy is priceless. As long as her students keep weaving, her artistry—and the spirit of Magdalena Gamayo—will weave its way into the future.
