BIOGRAPHY
TEOFILO GARCIA
(born March 27, 1941) is a Filipino hatter who is regarded as a National Living Treasure in the Philippines for making tabungaw hats, a type of Ilocano headwear.
He is known to be the last of the Tabungaw hat makers, a traditional headgear made of tabungaw or gourd.
BACKGROUND
Garcia, who has five children, primarily works as a farmer. He primarily cultivates rice and tobacco and tends to a herd of cows. During the period when he does neither of these, Garcia grows tabungaw. He is a native of the town of San Quintin in Abra.
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Garcia learned how to create tabungaw hats and weave basket from his grandfather when he was 15 years old. He eventually became known for producing tabungaw hats – his hats were reputed to be the most sturdy and smooth in his community.Garcia himself would wear tabungaw hat in his daily life and he could create 100 headwear in a year if the gourd harvest is good.
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He would also innovate on the creation of tabungaw hats experimenting on using nito and bamboo fibers as decor. The interior of Garcia's hats would also vary in decoration.
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On November 8, 2012, he has conferred the National Living Treasure Award.
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Currently, Teofilo is invited to give talks and demonstrations locally and abroad.
He even opened up his home so people can see some of his unique creations, and also genuinely teaches local school children the art of Tabungaw making.
Up until now, he’s innovating on his traditional designs based on inspirations' recent travels. He has also developed unique patterns he learned when he was young.
WHAT IS A NATIONAL LIVING TREASURE?
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A person can be called a National Living Treasure or “Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan” if he/she preserved some of the Philippines’ most important indigenous traditions. They are selected by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and one must possess a dedication to craftsmanship, excellence, and the ability to pass down their craft to the youth.
To fulfill his pledge, Teofilo has extended his knowledge to local school children who attend his workshops. Since 2014 the students of San Quintin National High School have been making their own Tabungaw Graduation Hats.
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Unfortunately, after graduation none of the students are interested in continuing their studies with Teofilo, and becoming an apprentice which leaves the skills of Tabungaw making in danger of becoming extinct.
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