𝐂𝐅𝐎 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

29 January 2026 — In its commitment to actively engage with overseas Filipinos, especially those honored as Presidential Awardees, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, led by Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, met with Dr. Almira Astudillo Gilles. A 2012 Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Awardee, Dr Gilles is the President of The Hinabi Project (THP) based in the US.

The discussion focused on the THP exhibit, planned for January 2027 in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines. It will showcase antique and commissioned handwoven textiles collected over THP’s 12 years as a US nonprofit organization, produced by Filipino weavers. THP aims to educate Filipinos abroad, support local weavers with fair wages, and preserve weaving traditions through workshops.

The exhibit is envisioned as a symbolic “balikbayan” journey for textiles, celebrating Filipino craftsmanship and living traditions.

Dr. Gilles noted that while the initiative has received positive feedback, securing funding for the exhibit remains challenging. Secretary Klink expressed the Commission’s support by connecting the THP with government agencies for potential sponsorship.

Dr. Gilles’ engagement with the CFO builds on her 2025 visit during her cultural research in Batanes and her participation as a speaker in the CFO’s Migration Talks, where she presented research on Ivatan ethnoastronomy, an indigenous knowledge system that connects celestial observation, mythology, and community life.

Mr. Michael Apattad and Mr. Manny Tibe of the CFO’s Policy, Planning, and Research Division (PPRD) joined the discussion and are expected to facilitate the support for Dr. Gilles.

Photos courtesy of Sir Jerry Carual