RARE ART OF FILIPINO PAPER CUTTING | BORLAS DE PASTILLAS

Summary

The video explores Pabalat, a traditional Filipino art form of papercutting used to wrap pastillas de leche, a sweet delicacy. Naty Ocampo-Castro, daughter of renowned artist Nanay Luz Ocampo, shares her journey of learning and preserving this dying craft. Influenced by cultural exchanges, Naty reflects on her mother's legacy and the importance of passing down traditions. The meticulous process of creating pastillas de leche is highlighted, showcasing the dedication and love involved. As Naty continues her mother’s work, she honors their family's artistic heritage and ensures the survival of Pabalat for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Pabalat is a traditional Filipino art form involving intricate papercutting used to wrap pastillas de leche.
• 🕰️ The craft is a dying art, with few artists left to continue the tradition, primarily influenced by Chinese and Mexican cultures.
• 👵 Nanay Luz Ocampo was the foremost Pabalat artist until her passing, after which her daughter, Naty Ocampo-Castro, took up the mantle.
• ✂️ There are two main styles of Pabalat: one from San Miguel, which requires tracing patterns, and another from Malolos, which is freeform cutting.
• 👩‍🎨 Naty initially had little interest in Pabalat but became passionate about it after her mother's death, recognizing the importance of the art.
• 🏆 Naty faced challenges as a novice but eventually gained recognition, fulfilling a significant order for Spain's Queen Sofía.
• 🍬 Pastillas de leche, a key product wrapped in Pabalat, has roots dating back to the Spanish colonial period and is made from fresh carabao's milk.
• ❤️ Making pastillas is a labor-intensive process that emphasizes purity and quality, reflecting the cultural values of Bulacan.
• 🌼 After her mother's passing, Naty is committed to keeping the Pabalat tradition alive, ensuring it does not die with her mother.
• 🌟 Naty feels her mother's spirit guiding her as she continues to promote Pabalat, inspired by the desire to teach others and spread the craft.

Q & A

What is Pabalat and its cultural significance in the Philippines?

Pabalat is an intricate papercutting art form from Bulacan, used to create decorative wrappers for pastillas de leche, a traditional Filipino sweet. It symbolizes the fleeting nature of life, as the art is designed for eventual destruction.

Who is Nanay Luz Ocampo and what role did she play in the Pabalat tradition?

Nanay Luz Ocampo was a renowned Pabalat artist and is considered the foremost practitioner of the art form in the Philippines. She was instrumental in keeping the tradition alive until her passing, passing her knowledge to her daughter, Naty Ocampo-Castro.

How did Naty Ocampo-Castro become involved in Pabalat?

Initially uninterested in the art, Naty became involved after recognizing the need to continue her mother's legacy. After retiring from her office job, she decided to learn Pabalat to ensure the art form did not die with her mother.

What are the two styles of Pabalat mentioned in the script?

The two styles are from San Miguel, which involves tracing a pattern on Japanese paper, and Malolos, where the paper is folded and cut without a pattern. The Malolos style has largely faded due to lack of transmission to the next generation.

What inspired Nanay Luz to start making Pabalat?

Nanay Luz discovered her passion for Pabalat in school and later started taking orders to support her family after her husband passed away, encouraged by friends who appreciated her craft.

What challenges did Naty face while learning Pabalat from her mother?

Naty faced criticism from her mother, who was a tough mentor, insisting that her initial work was not up to standard. This pushed Naty to improve her skills and develop patience in mastering the art.

What significant order did Naty receive that marked a turning point in her career?

Naty received a substantial order for Pabalat for the visit of Spain's Queen Sofía to the Philippines. She completed the order in two weeks with the help of one person, which significantly raised her profile as an artist.

How does the process of making pastillas de leche reflect the region's culinary traditions?

Making pastillas de leche involves using pure, fresh carabao's milk and requires two hours of continuous stirring without additional ingredients. This labor-intensive process showcases the traditional methods upheld by artisans in Bulacan.

What happened to Nanay Luz after her 90th birthday?

After her 90th birthday, Nanay Luz began to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. Naty and her siblings discussed her condition, and despite the challenges, Naty chose to keep her mother close until her passing.

What does Naty do to honor her mother's legacy?

Naty honors her mother's legacy by continuing the art of Pabalat and teaching others who are interested in learning. She has also established a small office where she works on Pabalat while keeping her mother's picture nearby for inspiration.