Loren’s quest for cultural survival
One project that she vigorously supports is Antique’s weaving industry. She worked to provide weaving centers and sufficient materials for use in the island.
After serving as Senator for 18 years, Deputy House Speaker Loren Legarda is focusing her efforts to uplift the Western Visayas province of Antique which she now represents in Congress.
Experience has taught Legarda to bridge the huge disparity between the national and local governments. To address the problem, she used her leadership skills to empower her constituents through dependable livelihood programs and preserve culture. In a recent conversation on Tribune NOW’s Straight Talk, Legarda talked about leading Antique to livelihood development, cultural and environmental preservation.
Paragon of cultural preservation
She calls Antique “a hidden gem where the mountains meet the sea.” She’s aware of its rich heritage, culture and nature.
One project that she vigorously supports is Antique’s weaving industry. Inspired by Antiqueños’ magical hands, she collaborated with the National Commission on Culture and Arts, Fiber Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture to provide weaving centers and sufficient materials to improve the island’s weaving industry.
“I saw the talents so I decided to support them. They said there are no loans and no weaving centers so I procured a weaving center and gave them materials,” Loren shared.
‘It’s not all about accomplishments because, at the end of the day, what will you ask yourself? How can you make someone happy? Did you make the world a better place to live in?’
“I saw the talents so I supported them. They said there are no loans and no weaving centers, so I procured a weaving center and gave them materials,” said Legarda.
She shared her handwoven bag and placemat and bamboo utensils on the show. She said that supporting a culturally driven livelihood leads to a circular economy.
Sustainability advocate
Although Legarda has proven herself as an advocate of environmentalism through laws such as the Clean Air Act, Climate Change Act among others, she is also promoting circular economy.
To achieve circular economy, the producer should ensure that the products’ flow goes through sustainable means. It means that the weavers’ materials are locally sourced.
She also wants people to be aware of climate adaptation. It is part of her mission as a commissioner of the global commission on adaptation.
“Climate adaptation is fitting our lifestyle into climate change. For example,
if there’s no water, you put a water catch bin. Instead of water going to waste, you can reuse it to water your plants. You can also use it as an alternative water for multiple uses,” she said.
Food security is another concern.
Stressing that “the nearer the food source, the better,” she mentioned the Forest Garden Act which aims to preserve forests that produce food.
Weaving plans
She wants Antique’s weaving industry to survive Covid-19.
She believes the best way to execute this plan is to get all the information and let it be known to the public.
“From the day of signing of agreements to the procurement, importation, to the arrival, to the storage, to the transportation, to the rollout, geographically and which sectors are authorized to do it, all of these. Hindi madali, so we should have this battle plan so to speak in as far as immunization is concerned,” she said.
With all her plans laid out like a handwoven handicraft, her advice to live a happy life is to maintain balance.
She said, “Stop, pause and smell the flowers. But I don’t just smell the flower, I plant the flower and I harvest the flowers. I realized, especially during the pandemic, that we must learn how to pause and reflect because life is not just about the material things. You can’t take it with you. It’s not all about accomplishments because, at the end of the day, what will you ask yourself? How can you make someone happy? Did you make the world a better place to live in?”