Passed from hand to hand, Paete’s taká tradition looks to its next generation

LAGUNA, Philippines – Horse-shaped forms sat on a table inside a cafe in Paete, surrounded by glue, brushes, oil, and strips of paper. Around them, participants in the Matutong Magtaká workshop were learning how taká is made, one layer at a time. Guiding them was Ka Ichu, a magtataká who has spent decades making taká by hand. Taká is Paete’s traditional papier-mâché craft. The workshop was among the activities of the Taká ng Paete Festival…