Contributor: Jeannie Laccay of Aruga Handwovens

She Didn't Know Her People Were Weavers. Now She's Helping Revive an Entire Tradition.

By chance, a mother's hobby became a movement to bring Isinay weaving back to life. When Jeannie Laccay first sat at a loom in 2018, she wasn't trying to revive a centuries-old tradition. She simply wanted to weave a baby wrap for her newborn. At the time, she had no idea that weaving was once deeply woven into the identity of her own people.

"The revival was not intentional," she recalls. "I did not know that we, the Isinay, had a weaving tradition because while growing up, it was never talked about, and we never saw handwoven textiles made by our elders."

What began as a personal project soon attracted the attention of mothers in social media, who started asking her to weave baby wraps for them too. The growing demand inspired her to establish Aruga Handwovens, turning a hobby into a livelihood.

Jeannie Laccay at a floor loom during a weaving workshop in 2022

Then, the pandemic changed everything. When her family returned to her hometown of Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, in 2020, her mother shared stories about the Isinay's forgotten weaving heritage. Supported by the provincial government, Jeannie organized a weaving workshop, teaching anyone interested in learning the craft. That was when weaving became more than a business.

Weaving workshop organized by Aruga Handwovens, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya studio in 2024

Jeannie Laccay’s Aruga Handwoven booth at the Likhang HABI Market Fair 2025

"My reason to continue weaving became deeper and more meaningful," she says. "I want to bring back the glory days of the Isinay when it comes to weaving because we were once known as one of the best weavers in the North. That makes me proud to be an Isinay."

For Jeannie, weaving is not simply about producing beautiful textiles.

"It represents our identity," she says. "Passing it on means never forgetting who we are. Never forgetting our roots."

She hopes people begin to see handwoven textiles beyond fashion.

"Weaving is not only about clothes or fashion. It is the identity of the weaver expressed and shared through their fabrics."

Isinay weavers in action

And each variation in the weave tells a story.

"Whenever people see the beauty and imperfections in the textiles, I hope they remember that what they have is one of a kind, handwoven by a weaver who is also an artist at heart."

Jeannie's travels to weaving communities outside the country, particularly in Sarawak, Malaysia, offered a powerful reminder of how tradition can thrive alongside modern life.

Iban Weavers of Kapit Sarawak Malaysia Experience from WEFT 2025

She was struck by how communities continue to practice rituals before, during, and after weaving, using natural materials such as ginger, salt, and leaves while treating the process as a communal and spiritual celebration.

"Whenever the weavers come together, it is like a whole celebration of dancing, drinking, and praying. The whole process of weaving is very spiritual."

Jeannie Laccay weaves a portion of the Pua Kumbu in Sarawak, Malaysia. She was granted the rare privilege to weave this sacred textile—the only Filipino weaver entrusted with the opportunity.

She believes the Philippines still has communities that preserve ancestral practices, but she hopes more people will value traditional knowledge alongside modern techniques.

"We can always use modern materials. That is not a problem at all but we should never forget the ancestral way."

For Jeannie, every handwoven textile carries something far more valuable than craftsmanship.

"Every handwoven piece is an heirloom," she says. "People are investing in the art and the story that comes with it—a history you can wear and pass on to generations to come."

Aruga Handwoven’s training workshop in Nueva Vizcaya

As Isinay weaving gains recognition, she has seen renewed pride within her community. Young people are becoming curious about the craft, while others see weaving as an opportunity to earn a livelihood without leaving their families behind.

"People are becoming proud of their roots," she says. "They're wearing their identity literally on their sleeves."

Like life itself, weaving demands persistence.

"Every step has its challenges, but you should appreciate and love every part of it," Jeannie reflects. "You don't have to hurry. Work at your own pace. In the end, you'll create something beautiful despite the imperfections."

She believes the greatest mark of a Filipino weaver is not perfection, but resilience.

"A flawless textile requires meticulous preparation, but a Filipino weaver's true patience and dedication shine brightest during troubleshooting. Broken threads and mistakes will always happen. What matters is the resourcefulness to bring the original vision back to life."

When asked why weaving is worth every thread, Jeannie recalls a poem she wrote when she first began weaving baby wraps.

Every thread passed through her hands.
Every hour spent at the loom became a quiet gift to another mother.
Every finished wrap carried not only skill,
but love, care, and the hope of comforting a child held close.

That same philosophy still guides her today. And for anyone who has never owned a handwoven textile, she leaves this message:

"Our local Filipino handwoven textiles are just as high-quality and competitive as any international brand. Nothing beats the pride of holding a Filipino textile. You know its roots, you know its story, and you feel a powerful connection to your own heritage. You are not just buying a textile. You are wearing your heritage."