Teofilo Garcia: “tabúngaw” Maker from Abra

After spending the night in Vigan, we continued our PHILTOA Grand North Luzon Fun Caravan by proceeding to a road less traveled destination — Abra. From Vigan, it took us an hour and a half to reach the town of Bangued.

Our first stop was at the humble home of Teofilo Garcia — one of the country’s National Living Treasures — where we gained in-depth insights into his personal life and timeless craft.

About Teofilo Garcia

In case you’re wondering what Tabungaw is, it’s an Ilocano term for “Upo”, also known as Bottle Gourd or White Pumpkin. Teofilo Garcia, on the other hand, is known as the last of the Tabungaw hat makers, a traditional headgear made from tabungaw (gourd).

Born on March 27, 1941, Teofilo, an Abra local, began learning the art of Kattukong, or Tabungaw, hat-making from his grandfather, Hipolito, at the age of 15.

He dedicated most of his life to farming so he could send his five children to school. He also devoted his time to planting “upo”, his main material in producing the traditional tabungaw. It’s said that it takes at least seven days to finish one tabungaw hat, as he uses only simple hand tools he designed himself to produce it.

Currently, Teofilo is invited to give talks and demonstrations locally and abroad. He even opened his home so people can see some of his unique creations and genuinely teaches local schoolchildren the art of Tabungaw making. Up until now, he’s been innovating on his traditional designs, drawing inspiration from recent travels. He has also developed unique patterns he learned when he was young.

What is a National Living Treasure?

A person can be called a National Living Treasure or “Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan” if he/she has preserved some of the Philippines’ most important indigenous traditions. They are selected by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and one must demonstrate dedication to craftsmanship and excellence, as well as the ability to pass on their craft to the youth.

In addition to dedication, one must also possess technical and creative skills, ties to community and folk art traditions, and admiration for their people.

Some of our National Living Treasures include Alonzo Saclag (a traditional dancer and musician), Haja Amina Appi (pandan mat weaver), and Magdalena Gamayo (a textile weaver).

How to get to Bangued, Abra

• From Manila, it takes about 8 hours to reach Abra by land. You can choose from Partas or Viron bus operators to take you to your destination.
• Alight at the highway intersection in Abra and wait for another bus there going to Bangued, Abra.

Searching for the best Abra hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Teofilo Callos Garcia is one of the Philippines’ distinguished traditional artists and a recipient of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), or National Living Treasures Award. Hailing from San Quintin, Abra, he is best known for preserving the traditional art of making the tabungaw, a distinctive Ilocano headgear crafted from gourd. His work represents the skill, creativity, and cultural heritage of northern Luzon.

1. Who is Teofilo Garcia?

Teofilo Callos Garcia is a traditional Filipino craftsman from San Quintin, Abra, known for making the tabungaw, a traditional gourd hat or casque. He is also a farmer who has devoted much of his life to preserving this indigenous craft.

2. What is Teofilo Garcia famous for?

Garcia is best known for his mastery of making the tabungaw, a traditional headgear made from a hollowed and dried gourd. His craftsmanship is recognized for its durability, smooth finish, functionality, and decorative details.

3. What is a tabungaw?

A tabungaw is a traditional Ilocano headgear made from a specially cultivated round gourd. The gourd is harvested, dried, hollowed out, polished, and finished before being transformed into a wearable hat. Rattan, bamboo, and other natural materials may also be incorporated into its structure and decoration.

4. What is another name for the tabungaw?

The tabungaw is also known as a kattukong or gourd hat. It is a distinctive form of traditional headgear associated with the cultural heritage of northern Luzon.

5. Where is Teofilo Garcia from?

Teofilo Garcia is from San Quintin, Abra, in northern Luzon. His connection to the community is central to his work in keeping the tabungaw-making tradition alive.

6. When did Teofilo Garcia receive the National Living Treasure Award?

Garcia was declared a Manlilikha ng Bayan in 2012 through Presidential Proclamation No. 475, signed on September 13, 2012. He was subsequently honored at Malacañang in November 2012.

7. Why was Teofilo Garcia recognized as a National Living Treasure?

He was recognized for his contribution to preserving the traditional tabungaw and keeping the craft alive in his community. His work covers the entire process, from cultivating the gourds to drying, shaping, finishing, and decorating the finished headgear.

8. What does Manlilikha ng Bayan mean?

Manlilikha ng Bayan, commonly translated as National Living Treasure, is a prestigious Philippine government recognition given to individuals or groups who demonstrate exceptional skill in traditional arts and help preserve important cultural practices.

9. How did Teofilo Garcia learn to make tabungaw?

Garcia learned the craft from his grandfather when he was about 15 years old. He also learned other traditional skills, including basket weaving.

10. What materials are used to make a tabungaw?

The main material is the tabungaw gourd. Other natural materials, including rattan, nito, and bamboo, may be used for the hat’s structure, weaving, rim, and decorative elements.

11. Does Teofilo Garcia grow the gourds himself?

Yes. One of the remarkable aspects of Garcia’s craftsmanship is that he personally cultivates and harvests the gourds used for his hats. His involvement therefore extends from growing the raw material to creating the finished product.

12. How long does it take to make a tabungaw?

Making a tabungaw is a labor-intensive process involving several stages. These include growing and harvesting the gourd, drying, hollowing, shaping, polishing, weaving, and finishing. The amount of time required can vary depending on the materials and techniques used.

13. What makes Teofilo Garcia’s tabungaw special?

Garcia’s tabungaw is known for its functional design, durability, craftsmanship, and distinctive decoration. His work maintains the traditional character of the craft while allowing room for creativity and experimentation with natural materials.

14. How did Garcia help preserve the tabungaw tradition?

Garcia helped preserve the tradition by continuing to produce the headgear, cultivating the gourds needed for its production, developing his craftsmanship, and passing his knowledge to younger generations.

15. Is tabungaw-making still being taught today?

Yes. Tabungaw or kattukong-making has been introduced into educational activities in San Quintin, helping younger people learn about and continue the traditional craft.

16. Why is Teofilo Garcia important to Philippine culture?

Garcia’s importance goes beyond making traditional hats. His work represents the preservation of indigenous knowledge involving agriculture, natural materials, craftsmanship, design, and community traditions.

17. What does Teofilo Garcia’s award mean for Abra?

His recognition placed Abra’s traditional craftsmanship on the national cultural map. It highlights the province’s rich living traditions and demonstrates the importance of cultural heritage found in rural communities.

18. Where can people learn more about Teofilo Garcia’s work?

People can learn more about Garcia and other National Living Treasures through Philippine cultural institutions and museums. His life and craftsmanship have been featured in exhibitions and educational materials dedicated to the country’s traditional artists.

19. What can travelers learn from Teofilo Garcia’s story?

Travelers visiting Abra can discover that the province offers more than beautiful landscapes and outdoor attractions. Its living cultural traditions provide an opportunity to understand the history, creativity, and identity of local communities.

20. Why should the tabungaw tradition be preserved?

The tabungaw represents more than a traditional piece of clothing. It embodies knowledge about agriculture, natural materials, craftsmanship, design, and community life. Preserving the tradition ensures that future generations can continue to appreciate an important part of Filipino cultural heritage.

Final Thoughts

Teofilo Garcia’s legacy is a reminder that cultural treasures can live in the hands of people whose extraordinary skills have been passed down through generations. Through his mastery of the tabungaw, dedication to teaching, and commitment to traditional craftsmanship, Garcia has helped ensure that one of Abra’s distinctive cultural traditions remains remembered and practiced.

His recognition as a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan celebrates not only an exceptional Filipino artisan but also the community, traditions, and cultural heritage he represents.

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Also read:

• Exploring Beauty In Pinto Art Museum
• Cities Made For Entertainment
• Kaparkan Falls: The Cascading Beauty of Tineg, Abra