Dreamweavers
That’s cute. Where did you get that? It’s from a bazaar. It’s handmade. It’s Pinoy.
You’re willing to invest in a Birkin—but I bet, not in a t’nalak or piña bag, when it’s also handmade from the best quality but at much more affordable cost. A Birkin costs millions. A t’nalak tote bag with leather strap and smeared with natural honey (for that long lasting luster) costs P7,000. And oh, just so you know, t’nalak threads especially handwoven by the dream weavers of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato are unique. No two designs are ever the same. Why? Because each blueprint comes from their dreams.
The presenters in the annual Likhang Habi bazaar, which showcases our traditional goods, admit that most of their customers are tourists and a handful of discerning locals with appreciation for our arts and crafts.
“You cannot stay forever in one place. You have to go with the signs of the times. The Philippine weaving industry is struggling to remain alive enough to pass its skills and art to the next generation,” says Habi: Philippine Textile Council chairman Maria Isabel Ongpin. The group, now on its fifth year, envisions promotion and preservation of our struggling textile industry. It was founded after the second ASEAN traditional textile symposium in 2009. Maria says our piña cloth—only found in the Philippines—is at par with the rest of the textiles in Southeast Asian regions, like Thailand and Indonesian silk. The group visits our weaving communities in rural areas to know their problems, which include the lack of contemporary designs, marketability, and the loss of interest in weaving among the youth. And so, the bazaar was born as a channel for suppliers, presenters, and buyers. On Oct. 24-26, Likhang Habi will be having its bazaar showcase at Glorietta Activity Center, featuring fabrics from Ilocos and La Union (inabel), Lake Sebu (t’nalak), Palawan and Aklan (piña), Iloilo (hablon and patadyong), and Basilan (yakan), as well as Mindoro baskets, among others.
On the fifth year (and counting) of its exhibit, Maria says, there’s still a demand for handmade, bespoke items. In keeping with the times, traditional textiles are now infused with modern twists and flavors. Gone are the days of the blah and in with the oomph, as seen in belts, bangles, bags, blazers, neckties, shoes, shawls. “Our goal is to mix our tradition with modern elements as seen in everyday items,” says Twinkle Ferraren, one of the presenters at the market fair. She sells handmade modern clothes made from indigenous textiles and infused with accessories like capiz and wooden beads. In her mini showroom are wrap dresses, miniskirts, and sleeveless shirts in modern cut. She says she buys the fabrics directly to her suppliers like Baguio’s traditional ikat weavers and transform them into whatever catches her fancy.
Virgie Necodemus of Manila Collectibles (also one of the presenters in the bazaar) says she personally visits a province, like Cordillera, which produces pasiking, to inform the traditional weavers of the modern ideas and design demands in the city. “The traditional weavers live in far-flung areas, in the mountain sides, so they don’t have any idea on the demand for new styles. They tend to do the same thing over and over,” she says, “Sometimes, you have to inform and teach them about the new trends.” But in all fairness, Maria says, our indigenous industry is gaining its spotlight again. Other proofs are Kenneth Cobonpueand Anne Pamintuan’s handwoven home essentials and installations, Patis Tesoro and her recently unveiled boho Filipiniana collection, and Rajo Laurel and his Rags2Riches collection, among others. At malls, there’s Kultura as well as Tesoro’s (again). Other flea markets sell a plethora of native goods.
“Handmade goods are being elevated and gaining new respect. If popular appreciation is given to them, weaving will permanently keep its place,” says Maria. Check out Likhang Habi bazaar at the Glorietta Activity Center on Oct. 24-26.
Modern fashion items like shawls, headpieces, and handbags are made from 100 percent Pinoy fabrics.; Neckties made from handmade indigenous textiles; Cotton ikat from Bin Ai Kay, one of the presenters in the bazaar
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