Artistic freedom should not become an excuse to trivialize or sensationalize cultural heritage, says the commission.
The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage–Lanao del Sur (BCPCH-LDS) has strongly criticized fashion designer Francis Libiran over his treatment and description of Inaul, saying the traditional textile was portrayed in a way that “diminishes and dishonors its cultural significance.”
The controversy stemmed from a social media post by Libiran showcasing a contemporary outfit made with Inaul, a handwoven textile deeply associated with Maguindanaon culture.
“I didn’t preserve tradition. I weaponized it,” Libiran wrote in the post. He described taking the “sacred Inaul of Mindanao” and stripping it “of nostalgia” before cutting it into a “graphic, skin-tight bustier.”
“This is not your folklore. This is culture with a bite. Filipino heritage, but make it dangerous. Make it modern. Make it LIBIRAN,” the post added.
The language did not sit well with BCPCH-LDS.
In a strongly worded statement, the commission stressed that Inaul is more than fabric that can simply be detached from the people and traditions that created it.
“Inaul is not merely a fabric, pattern, or material for fashion experimentation,” BCPCH-LDS said. “It is a living cultural heritage of the Maguindanaon people, embodying generations of traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, identity, history, and cultural meaning.”
The commission said it recognizes the freedom of designers to reinterpret traditional materials but argued that artistic freedom should not become an excuse to trivialize or sensationalize cultural heritage.
It singled out Libiran’s use of the words “weaponized” and “dangerous,” warning that such framing risks turning a living tradition into an aesthetic commodity stripped of its cultural and historical context.
“Modernization should not come at the expense of cultural meaning,” the commission said, adding that innovation must be accompanied by sensitivity, acknowledgment of cultural bearers and an understanding of the heritage being used.
BCPCH-LDS also issued a broader warning to the creative industry about using Bangsamoro cultural expressions merely for visual impact.
“Our traditions are not costumes, props, or mere materials to be stripped of their identity for the sake of provocation or artistic expression,” it said.
The commission ended its statement by standing with Inaul weavers and cultural bearers who have preserved the tradition across generations.
“Inaul deserves more than to be ‘reimagined.’ It deserves to be understood, honored, and respected.”
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