HIBLA Weavers' Fair invites public to meet Filipino handloom weavers

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) on Tuesday invited the public to engage with and learn the stories of the country’s handloom weavers during the upcoming HIBLA Weavers’ Fair in Cubao, Quezon City.

During a press conference, DOST-PTRI Director Julius Leaño Jr. said the event would allow the public to learn from 20 weaving communities, where weaving is not only a source of livelihood but also a way of life.

“I hope that it will be an avenue for us to be able to talk and commune with them (the weavers) and really fundamentally understand that weaving is not just a craft. Weaving is not just about their source of livelihood. It's not just a gateway of innovation,” Leaño told reporters.

“Weaving is not just a tapestry of culture. Weaving to them is life,” he added.

In line with National Heritage Month, DOST-PTRI will hold the HIBLA Weavers’ Fair from May 15 to 17 at Gateway Mall 2 in partnership with the J. Amado Araneta Foundation.

Participating weaving communities will come from Abra, Ifugao, Benguet, Rizal, the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and South Cotabato.

The three-day event will feature several activities, including handloom weaving demonstrations, focus group discussions, an inter-agency meeting on handloom weaving, and the unveiling of the National Authentication Handloom Weaving Mark.—MCG, GMA News