Likhang Habi: Weavers of dreams • PhilSTAR Life

Is the centuries-old art of weaving in the Philippines hanging by a thread?

We’re not spinning a yarn when we say that weaving in the country is alive and humming, and each day, our weavers bring new threads of hopes and dreams. Because for the Likhang Habi Market Fair, now in its 15th year, the loom of life never stops, and we’re all connected like one interwoven tapestry.

Abel PH: Handwoven cotton with heirloom designs, dating back to the Spanish era, showcases the tradition, creativity, and passion of the Ilocanos.

“The Likhang Habi Market Fair is that one weekend each year when the weaving communities bring out the best products they have created, using natural and indigenous materials, and the latest techniques they have developed—methods that will become part of our weaving culture, our history, and our identity as a nation,” says Likhang Habi president Mia Villanueva at the fair’s launch.

Abek Home: Fine handwoven fabrics using plant dyes for textile designs

From a dying to a thriving industry

In over a decade, the fair’s continued success has strengthened what was once a dying industry but is now enjoying a surge in popularity never seen before. For one thing, the fair has moved to a bigger venue—Space at One Ayala (where Hotel InterContinental Manila used to stand), a sprawling area with multiple function rooms to accommodate more vendors and guests.

Yana’s Woven Textile: 100-percent handmade with hand-embroidered designs by various tribes across the Philippines

For another, more weavers from all over the country are expected to join the fair. “It just gets bigger and bigger every year,” Mia gushes.

She adds, “To bring weavers from the grassroots—far-flung areas—to the market was our original goal.”

La Herminia Pina Weaving: Sustainable pina, abaca, and raffia products promote cultural heritage

Colorful success stories

Over the years, many a colorful story of success has been woven—each one showing off the skill, nay the soul, of the weaver.

Weaving is alive and spinning: Habi president Mia Villanueva, president emeritus Adelaida Lim, Habi: The Philippine Textile Council founder Maribel Ongpin

Adelaida “Laida” Lim’s favorite success story is that of Raquel Eliserio of Kalibo, Aklan. “When she started, she had just a few looms,” Laida relates. “Years later, with her husband and son, she now has several looms. Her pineapple cloth was really excellent! She joined an international competition and won first prize—an honor not just for herself but for the whole country as well.”

Then there’s Jeannie Lacay, the young workaholic mommy behind Aruga Handwovens, who taught herself how to weave and made this lovely baby carrier blanket so she could “wear” her baby and care for her while she worked.

Eat your veggies — and wear them, too: Mother- daughter tandem, Maryjo Feraren and daughter Twinkle, wears Twinkle’s handwoven creations with handpainted veggie motif and accessories.

Meet Style Isle designer/creative director Twinkle Ferraren, daughter of Maryjo Reyes-Feraren (Twinkle, a feng shui believer, added an “r” to her last name) of the famous restaurateur Reyes family, who will be serving up handwoven delights like her veggie charms that can be converted into various accessories and her clothes made of textile fabric offcuts (remnants left over from production runs) because she is a zero-waste advocate. Her handwoven clothes, made of 100-percent Philippine cotton and handpainted with a vegetable motif, are part of her new collection which will be launched at this year’s Likhang Habi Market Fair.

Panlipi Tribe Manila: From traditional wear to guitar accessories designed to provide comfort and security to guitar players

Hello, young weavers!

“We’re reviving weaving and trying to encourage young people to be weavers because we don’t want weaving to die,” stresses Laida. “At the fair, there’s a competition where there’s a prize for the youngest weaver. In 2023, we had a 12-year-old winner.”

A visibly happy Mia is proud to note, “Young people today think of weaving as cool, interesting. They want to wear something local, something handwoven.”

At Likhang Habi Market Fair, guests will find something to dazzle the eyes and tease the hungry belly. The new space will also showcase culinary artisans, regional delicacies and restaurants with areas for lounging and dining.

This year, Habi is featuring Pampanga-born and French-trained chef Sau del Rosario, known for his dedication to promoting Kapampangan heritage through contemporary culinary expression at his restaurants Cafe Fleur, 25 Seeds, Joop Joop, and Sawsaw. “I’m showcasing Pampango dishes like bringhe, sisig, kare-kare, and palabok which, in Pampanga, we call luglog. Aside from heritage cuisine, I’m also featuring pastries outside the exhibit room.”

Let’s drink to that—and enjoy chef Sau’s hot tsokolate drink that’s sure to warm the heart and the tummy, paired off with guilt-free San Nicolas biscuits.

And so, to Likhang Habi Market Fair we will go, as it celebrates weavers of dreams one thread at a time.

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The 15th Likhang Habi Market Fair is slated for Oct. 10-12 at Level 5, Space at One Ayala in Makati City. The annual event is made possible with the support of SM Investments, PAGCOR, Okada Manila, AY Foundation, Marubeni, 7-Eleven, SGV Foundation, Far Eastern University, STI Education System, and Space at One Ayala.

For more information, visit the Habi: The Philippine Textile Council website at http://www.habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com.