Legarda mourns death of Filipino master weaver Ambalang Ausalin

Three-term Senator Loren Legarda with Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees Ambalang Ausalin, Fu Yabing Masalon Dulo, and Estelita Bantilan.

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda mourned the passing of Manlilikha ng Bayan Ambalang Ausalin on Friday.

“As a staunch advocate and patron of our nation’s culture and heritage, I join our nation in mourning the loss of our Manlilikha ng Bayan, Ambalang Ausalin, a Yakan textile master weaver from Parangbasak, Lamitan, Basilan,” said Legarda, former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, in her social media post.

The legendary Yakan textile weaver passed away due to a lingering Illness in her residence in Parangbasak, Lamitan City, at 78.

This was confirmed by Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay.

“Apuh Ambalang,” as she was called by her community of weavers, was highly esteemed in all of Lamitan. Her skill was deemed incomparable through her demonstration of the mastery of different Yakan ‘tennun’ or weaving techniques,” Legarda said.

“May Ambalang Ausalin’s legacy continue to live on and remind us of our great heritage as a nation.”

Ausalin was conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasure Award in 2016. She was also known for her master skills in making Yakan tapestry, especially in crafting the most complex designs.

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Apuh Ambalang Ausalin, Yakan master weaver; 78

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