BY PEARL SOCIAS
ILOILO – With all the glitz and glam from Monday’s State of the Nation Address red carpet, Iloilo’s 2nd District Cong. Michael B. Gorriceta and his better half, Dr. Kathryn Joyce, came in pieces with a cause.
Dr. Kathy’s cream modern Filipiniana dress accentuated the laborious handiwork of bobbin lace patterns using Belgian thread with gold embroidered butterflies to match. The dress hailed her as one of the Top 10 Best Dressed in SONA 2023 by Preview.ph.
Dr. Kathy was paired with Cong. Michael in his Belgian bobbin-laced Barong.
The bobbin lace and embroidery in the couple’s garb were made by Women United Through Handcrafted Lace and Embroidery (WUTHLE), put together by Ilonggo designer Mr. Ram Silva.
“We strive to support this dying industry para ma-sustain. Mabuhay ang obra kag talento sang Segundo Distrito,” said Cong. Gorriceta.
The women of WUTHLE are the only Belgian bobbin lace embroidery makers in the Philippines. They were established when a Belgian nun of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Madeleine Dieryck, saw the possibilities of a lace-making industry when she was assigned to the leprosarium of the Western Visayas Sanitarium (now General Hospital) to take care of Hansenites (leprosy patients).
WUTHLE is located in the municipality of Santa Barbara in the 2nd District of Iloilo.
Healed leprosy patients and their families were trained in embroidery and lace-making, and soon it became an industry. Bobbin lace making is advantageous for former Hansenite patients, as their fingers have already been deformed and cannot grip needles properly. Thus, lace-making through wooden bobbins was a promising craft to give them livelihood and support.
Each meter of bobbin lace takes up to two weeks to finish due to its intricate design and process, and thus, each finished product not only represents their journey as lace and embroidery makers but also reflects one’s appreciation and support for the industry./PN
