Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray joined the festivities in Ilocos Norte to celebrate Manlilikha ng Bayan Magdalena Gamayo’s 100th birthday.
Dressed in a vibrant terno by Ilocos Norte-based fashion designer June Samson Pugat, the beauty queen expressed her excitement about gracing the celebration.
“So happy to be back in Ilocos Norte to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Nana Magdalena. It’s so fulfilling to see more of our incredible artisans being recognized on a national level @nccaofficial,” Gray said in her Instagram post.
“Hopefully, continued gestures and support for our national artists and artisans will allow their works to thrive and continue so future generations can witness and enjoy their art forms too,” she added.
In one of her posts on Instagram for the weaver’s centennial birthday, Gray shared the time she had the chance to see how Gamayo weaved Inabel.
“What an incredible honor it is to witness her artistry in our generation through the weaving of Inabel,” Gray wrote in her post’s caption.
Gamayo is known for being a weaver of Inabel, a weaving tradition native to the Ilocanos of Northern Luzon. For her contributions to the preservation of the craft, she received the National Living Treasure award in 2012.
In her honor, Malacañang Palace declared Aug. 13, 2024, to Aug. 12, 2025, as the Centenarian Year for the weaver.
