National artist for ikat weaving dies at

106
STELLA ESTREMERA
January 26, 2021

INDIGENOUS Peoples of Mindanao mourn the passing of a Blaan master in

ikat weaving, Yabing Masalon Dulo, who died in her sleep around 12:30 a.m.
of January 26, 2021.

Fu Yabing, a Manlilikha ng Bayan, the equivalent honor of national artist for

indigenous arts and crafts, was 106 years, having been born on August 8,
1914.

She was awarded the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living

Treasure Award in 2016 by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts
(NCCA).

She is survived by her only living sister, Guriay Masalon Julie, and her
children Jonah Dulo, Lamina Dulo Gulili, To Dulo, and Martin Dulo who gifted
her with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

In announcing her passing, the NCCA wrote: "Her peerless mastery of the
Blaan Mabal Tabih is manifest in her impeccable work. For many years,
Yabing Masalon Dulo has been a teacher and cultural elder among her kith
and kin. Her exemplary oeuvre has brought pride to her community,
animating the interest of many young Blaan in their remarkable cultural
heritage. (2020 Haligi ng Harayang Filipino Catalogue)."

Her niece, Josephine "Arjho" Latimban Carino Turner, only has fond memories of
the master in ikat weaving.

It was Fu Yabing (Fu is Blaan word for grandmother) who raised Arjho's mom and
was a guiding presence in her growing up years, implanting a deep pride for their
indigenous roots that has made her continue to bridge opportunities for indigenous
cultural communities even as she has migrated to the US.

Turner is also grateful to the help of friends Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges of

General Santos City artistic director Leonardo Rey S. Carino, former NCCA
commissioner Carlo Ebeo, and Philippine Women's College of Davao's Emi
Alexander Englis who helped in documenting the works of Fu Yabing for her NCCA
award nomination.

Through Carino's initiative with the full support of the RMMC, the group was able to
put up exhibits to bring attention to Fu Yabing and to sustain her weaving and pass
on her mastery of making Blaan Tabih.

"The nomination process was difficult. It took many exhibits and projects
especially that a weaver can't afford to collect her works," Carino recalled.

Thus, after weaving one, she had to sell it to be able to weave another.

What Carino and his friends did was to look for people who will buy to
sustain the weaving activities, and keep a tab on who has Fu Yabing's works.

It was easier after Fu Yabing got the award in 2016 as this drew government
attention to her village in Landan in Polomolok, South Cotabato, and a road
was built.

"Back in 2014, it was so difficult. Ilang beses kang bababa ng motor (You
had to disembark from the motorcycle you are riding several times) to get to
her community," Carino recalled how it was before.

From the documentation gathered by the group of friends and the exhibits set up,
RMMC submitted the nomination, which earned Fu Yabing the distinction.

As explained in the Blaan Mabal Tabih in Landan Facebook account, which Arjho
administers, Mabal is the Blaan processs of weaving and the finished product is
called Blaan Tabih. Fu Yabing outlived the three other Blaan Tabih weavers of
Barangay Landan.

Aside from Fu Yabing, the other master of Blaan Tabih is Fu Gusiye Buan of
barangay Kibala in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Details of her wake and burial are still being finalized as the NCCA takes
charge of such details for those conferred with the Gamaba.

Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1883960/Davao/Local-News/National-
artist-for-ikat-weaving-dies-at-106