IN WOVEN textile lies a fingerprint not only of the actual person who made it, but the communities that inspire it.
Habi: The Philippine Textile Council is opening its doors from Oct. 11-13 for the 9th Likhang Habi Market Fair at the Glorietta 3 Activity Center in Makati City.
This year’s theme is “The Highlights of our HABI Journey.” The fair will feature a Habi Craft Corner where visitors can learn the basics of weaving using pure Philippine cotton and other natural local fibers, and create their own woven products. Habi goers can also participate in the Community Craft Loom and learn modern weaving using different materials, textures, colors, and weaving techniques. There will also be workshops on macramé,the art of knotting.
The Likhang Habi Market Fair will also have a baybayin workshop with lessons on writing and understanding the pre-colonial writing script of the Philippines. Cultural dance performances, traditional Filipino music from different regions of the country, and Filipino art installations will also be part of the fair, leading to a holistic educational experience on Filipino heritage and identity.
“We encourage Likhang Habi fairgoers to immerse themselves in the beautiful weaving communities and traditional textiles of our country,” said Habi Chair Maribel Ongpin in a release. “We will have participating weavers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao so the opportunity to learn at the fair is endless.”
Fifty-two merchants from all over the Philippines will participate this year. The fair will also showcase sustainable and ethical fashion and other lifestyle products using traditional textiles such as habol negrense from Negros Occidental, yakan from Basilan, inaul from Maguindanao, binubudan from Ifugao, binakol and abel from Ilocos, and tepina from Palawan, among others. During the fair, talks about sustainable shoemaking and the local shoe industry will also be a highlight.
The fair will also see the awarding of the 2nd Lourdes Montinola Piña Prize, which recognizes exceptional craftsmanship and mastery of the delicate process of turning pineapple threads into works of art.
Several merchants will also present contemporary Filipino fabrics such as cotton ikat and cotton abaca, the result of combining pure Philippine cotton with other indigenous fabrics. Promoting the use of pure Philippine cotton is one of the long-term commitments of HABI.
“There is an abundance of beautiful fabrics in the Philippines and we want to show that these fabrics from different corners of the Philippines can be a part of our modern lifestyle,” said Habi President Adelaida Lim.
BusinessWorld’s cursory look at Habi’s offerings during a preview last month in Makati yielded items that were quite young-looking, fit to be seen on the hands and hips of Manila’s young and stylish set.
“Surprisingly, native textiles are a current trend. There are backpacks, laptop cases and note pad covers using traditional textiles. In addition, designers are using it for casual, affordable clothing. There are buyers for these things, or why would designers be making them? Buying local is cool,” Ms. Lim told BusinessWorld.
Marking nine years in the fair circuit, Ms. Lim talks about the achievements the fair has had. “While we are still working on reviving the cotton industry, we feel that the promotion of indigenous textiles is quite successful. Today we are seeing a resurgence is the work of handloom weavers. They are far busier now than when Habi first encountered them. The weavers are also now able to demand more for their work. In addition, we are seeing a definite interest in local handwoven fabrics. Designers are using indigenous textiles in their fashion shows and RTW lines.”
