My first encounter with master weaver Barbara “Kibed” Ofong was in 2014 at the Lake Sebu School of Living Tradition founded by Maria Todi “Oyog.” In one corner of the school, built from wood, abaca, bamboo and cogon, Kibed leaned back, applying tension to the threads of a portable loom. One end of the loom was wrapped around her waist, while the other end was secured to a post. On the frame was a half-finished T’nalak garment displaying geometric patterns in shades of black, red and brown, intricately woven from abaca fibers and dyed using ikat methods.

The T’nalak designs are bestowed upon the dreamweavers like Kibed when Fu Dalu, the god of the abaca plant, visits them in their dreams. The dreamweavers recall the patterns in waking hours and weave them into permanence in the T’nalak.

I took Kibed’s photograph and purchased a T’nalak from her, unaware that over a decade later, she would receive the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award for her exceptional weaving. I mounted the prized purchase on the wall immediately after returning to my home in Metro Manila.

Early this year, I returned to Lake Sebu and visited Kibed in her modest home, now adorned with frames of recognition for her exalted status. She hugged me when we met, fondly remembering our first encounter; the only visible difference was that her hair had become lighter. I purchased another T’nalak, which will be rightfully displayed alongside the first one I acquired.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.