Lists of “slowly dying” traditional art forms almost always include handwoven products as the rise of fast fashion has eclipsed traditional crafts the past decades.
But inside the bustling halls of the 16th Likhang Habi Market Fair, it showcased how younger hands have been trying to revive Filipino weaving traditions.
Algene Fernandez, a 21-year-old weaver, shares that she’s among the young artisans proudly helping keep the tradition alive.
“Ako po, pang-apat na generation na ako sa family namin in this industry (I’m already the fourth generation from our family in this industry),” Algene said.
“It’s really about the people behind every craft that we create. It represents the sacrifices, the hard work, the time and effort that they have put into the piece.”
The market fair, organized by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, really intends to encourage more young creatives to promote local Filipino art.
“When HABI started, weaving in the Philippines was dying,” said Rambie Lim, a founding member of HABI and a vendor representing the Rurungan Collective. “But through the years of HABI, we’ve really seen the growth and the interest from weavers who are younger.”
”I think more and more of the younger generation is appreciating it, and the older weavers as well see it as something that they can pass on,” Rambie added.
“In the beginning of HABI, a lot of weavers would say, ‘Ay, hindi, weaver lang ako (No, I’m just a weaver).’ And they didn’t feel that they could or would pass on their skills.”
In recent years, that hesitation has turned into pride.
“Nowadays, that’s what people are looking for: something that’s made by human hands,” shared Adelaida Lim, HABI president emeritus.
“We should value that, and not say that they’re just farmers who do that work. No, they’re also artisans, they’re creatives, and they’re Filipinos.”
This human element is exactly what the market fair bridges. When buyers interact directly with the artisans, a transaction transforms into an education.
“From the customer’s side, they realize, ‘Ah, ang hirap pala gawin (Oh, it’s hard to do),’” Adelaida said. “When the buyer realizes that, they appreciate the product.”
Beyond the labor, buyers also learn about the stories, skills, memories, livelihood, culture, and communities behind these traditional products — and how every piece represents an entire village.
“Weaving is part of the culture, and it expresses what their history was,” said HABI president Mia Villanueva. “It’s a living history. A lot of the things in the textile have symbolism, so the young people have to learn that.”
Aside from the market fair, Likhang Habi recently launched the Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition for weavers under 30 years old. One of the winners was as young as eight years old.
“Ever since we started the competition, so many new techniques have been revived,” Adelaida shared. “It raised the level of excellence.”
For Rambie, young Filipinos can also learn more about their roots through textile.
“I think people should look back to where their parents are from and see, because if we ask the elders, we’ll find out we also have a weaving tradition that was like forgotten,” Rambie said. “I grew up in Lipa, Batangas, and there are two groups now that are actually pushing forward and will be part of HABI.”
“So there’s a lot. And I think our challenge is to come to HABI and explore — explore your own identity as Filipinos through the textile.”
Toni Rose Jazmin, who collects woven fabrics from different provinces, said they’re “worth every thread.”
“For me, every thread has a story; every thread is a story. So I just want to showcase that woven fabric in the Philippines is very beautiful,” shared Toni Rose.
“Behind it, the people, the artisans — they are amazing and talented. Especially the ones I’m working with from Bicol weavers, Camarines Sur, from Abra, from Kalinga, and from Bukidnon.”
Environmentally, the revival also comes at a critical time as the global textile industry relies heavily on cheap, synthetic fabrics like polyester, which clog landfills and pollute waterways.
In contrast, traditional Philippine weaving promotes sustainability as local weaving communities stick to indigenous, natural fibers like cotton and abaca.
“The polyester that they blend with cotton creates all kinds of pollution and garbage,” said Adelaida. “Whereas if they were to stay with cotton, it goes back again to the environment.”
“The weaving industry in the Philippines is actually something that’s very sustainable if it gets going,” she added. “It has a role to play in climate change.”
This advocacy also draws in a new demographic: the more environmentally conscious youth.
“I really hope that the next generations take it on, because it’s not just a leadership role, it’s a responsibility,” said Adelaida. “You can’t just be responsible to us Filipinos; you’re responsible to the whole of the environment.”
Looking forward, HABI hopes to expand its grassroots footprint by supporting young artisans through various programs and activities.
“It starts with interest, exposure — exposure generates interest,” said Maribel Ongpin, chairman emeritus of HABI. “Young people immediately embraced it. Then suddenly, fashion designers joined. And once that started, it became a mass movement, in a sense.” – Rappler.com
Angel Camille Dio is a Rappler intern studying BA Journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines.