HABI had an amazing time visiting the talented abaca weavers and spinners of Lubid Agta Tabangnon Indigenous People’s Cooperative!
Maribel Ongpin, Mia Villanueva and Twinkle Ferraren of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council with Zayda Ordoñez Baron, Barangay Chairperson in Sagñay, Camarines Sur, Philippines
With Zally Romero, head of the women's group
A group of 24 women, who are descendants of the Agta or Aeta people, gather abaca from the mountainside, strip, dry, and spin the outer layers into a twine called ‘balakbak’, which is later used to make baskets and furniture. They also weave the finer abaca, called ‘bandala’, into slippers, bags, and hammocks.
A labor intensive process, but the atmosphere is light and happy as they pass the time chatting.
After some product development, we hope to have them represented at the Likhang HABI Market Fair in October 2024!
Special thanks to Mayor Pamela Fuentabella of Tigaon, Camarines Sur.
