I’ve always been fond of our native crafts. For our newly built house in Lucena in the 70s, I went to Baguio to buy Ifugao baskets and scrounged around in Ermita for artwork and local weavings which I had framed and mounted on our walls.

Years ago, at the Negros Trade Fair, I bought handmade lamps and lounging chairs which we still enjoy up to now. Every time I come across something uniquely Filipino, I’d buy an item, a shirt, a dress for my wife, something for the living room table, and all sorts of native stuff that fascinate me.

Through a classmate’s posting, I realized Likha 4 at the newly opened Foro de Intramuros, was on its last day Sunday. So, we, being lovers of things native and artisanal, swung over to Intramuros. We were not disappointed.

The venue was a refreshing vision of white, which serves as the ideal backdrop for the plethora of great, colorful finds and visual delights. Over a hundred artisans displayed their wares. Scanning the entire area, we went from booth to booth, delighting in the creativity brought together in this air-conditioned, spacious arena.

There were traditional arts and crafts: brass gongs, jars and kulintangs from Muslim Mindanao, bulols, jars and pottery from the Cordilleras, traditional weaving from Ilocos (inabel), Ifugao (ikat), Lake Sebu (T’nalak), Maguindanao (Inaul), Kalinga and many others. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry, furniture and home décor abounded.

We met a third generation Ifugao weaver who is only in his thirties. He took pride in his craft and displayed his items with pride. Impressed, we bought several table runners for gifts and for our own use.

But what was more impressive is the creativity arising from the traditional crafts which are reimagined in modern ways. A chess set was made with the pieces resembling bulols, Kalinga pottery was fashioned into tea sets and coffee mugs, all individualized and one of a kind. Even the traditional Christmas lantern received a makeover into a fish lamp. It shows that our traditional craftsmen and women are not simply following tradition. They are forging new ways to keep their cultures relevant to the modern times.

I chanced on a Yakan shirt that can be worn as Filipiniana attire other than a barong. It came home with me. My wife fancied a woven wrap that can be worn in different ways, as demonstrated by a seller. Sold!

In another, the weaving was transformed into modern-day bowties, neckties, brooches and medallions. These were sassy-looking and unique in their own way with various color and pattern combinations. So, I bought several of each item as gifts for my classmates when we meet during our golden jubilee homecoming celebration in Las Vegas next month.

Our Southern Tagalog weavers were not to be outdone. A booth by Bordado ni Apolonia from Taal, Batangas, displayed beautiful, intricate calado embroidery for ternos and barong Filipino. Some were embroidered all over with delicate designs forming different patterns in each panel. Needless to say, I was very impressed. I love wearing barongs to formal occasions. But I want items that are out of the ordinary, so this was right up my alley. The designer, Jayson Catapang, was very convincing though I didn’t really need more persuasion. He measured me and the calado all-over barong should be ready before our homecoming. I rationalized the cost by thinking I will be wearing this barong till the end of my days.

We should have stayed there the whole day but there were chores waiting at home. I wished we could have immersed ourselves more at the fair, though it was good to see a steady stream of people coming in and not only ooh-ing and aah-ing but more importantly, purchasing items like we did. Some booths like the Jama Mapun mats from Tawi Tawi were almost sold out with just a mat and three small items remaining. Most craftsmen and artisans did well and should have gotten orders for their masterpieces.

Truly, if we are to identify ourselves as a nation, it should be in recognizing the differences in our regional cultures that make up a fascinating tapestry of diversity but still seeing ourselves as one country with a rich and varied heritage. Nothing can be more boring than having a monotonous look in every person you come across in life.

Let us support our own countrymen and women who not only farm, fish and labor, but also our folk who create and conceive items that define each of us in different ways, that bring life and color into our homes and craft our Filipino identity.

Buy Filipino, live Filipino, think Filipino. Because we are all Filipinos, no matter our region, our heritage or our political color. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Happy Independence Day!