Iloilo’s Longest-Running Tourism Fair Turns 7

University of San Agustin senior tourism class for Tuamndok 2005-Cabatuan group

Tourism Industry becomes the center of business activity for many municipalities in Iloilo. Our towns showcase numerous popular and unexplored destinations in a new light, eagerly awaited by the travel and tourism industry with the hope of generating massive interest from visitors.

Tumandok is one of the dazzling events which started in the year 2005 as a localized alternative to the conduct of annual events such as the Philippine Travel Mart in Manila and WOW Philippines: Best of the Region. Tumandok is a unique show which is held for the tourism month of September. It has grown so much in importance and is regarded as one of the most reputed and important tourism trade fair in Iloilo. It is being organized for last 7 years and always leaves a lasting impression effect on exhibitors, student participants as well as visitors. It is the longest-running and dedicated annual industry event in Iloilo organized by a government sector in partnership with the academe.

Central Philippine University junior tourism students on field work for Tumandok 2007-Lambunao group

Tumandok is the marketplace for travelers from Iloilo. Buyers benefit from a comprehensive range of products and services throughout the province. It offers a plethora of attractions, destinations and products wanting to place their foothold in the Ilonggo market.

The event is very informative. It showcases the many tourism potentials of Iloilo as the emerging tourist destination for nature and sports adventure, cultural heritage, culinary, and the arts.

There are a lot of municipalities from around the province that is good for the exhibition as it is sourcing for potential attractions. It is the best activity to showcase various local tourism products and services designed for visitors, travel and retailers to generate new leads and establish new business relationships. Tourism representatives from participating attractions throughout the province will attend to network with other tourism industry professionals.

Central Philippine University junior tourism students for Tumandok 2007 with Alimodian group

The number of municipalities participating and exhibiting during the activity increased over the last years. And this year, a considerable group of participating towns and 4 tourism schools will promote a variety of products and services on a four-day travel and trade show that will take place at the fountain area of Robinsons Place Iloilo on September 22-25, 2011. Participating exhibitors include the municipalities of Ajuy, Anilao, Badiangan, Banate, Cabatuan, Concepcion, Dueñas, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon, Miag-ao, Oton, Passi City, Pototan, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara and Tigbauan. The exhibition is Open to the all general public.

The event will open with the performance of SAAD Festival of Leganes on September 22 at 4 p.m.; The Badiangan Dance Troupe will perform at 4 p.m. on September 23; a fashion show by tourism students from participating tourism schools highlights September 24; and Janiuay Dance Troupe will showcase their indigenous dances in the closing ceremony on September 25.

Tumandok through the years aims for further improving the quality, authority and scale of the fair, advocating in making it more popular, covering more areas and develop networking system for the government and private sectors in partnership with the academe which is dedicated to tourism. It serves as a business opportunity and brings awareness to the people on tourism in Iloilo.

Tumandok 2011 is organized by the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism in cooperation with Robinsons Place Iloilo and the Department of Tourism Region VI. It is supported by Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin, St. Therese MTC-College and University of Iloilo.

Sidney Eculla: Weaving in Harmony the Threads of the Earth

Ilonggo designer Sydney Eculla with muse Dimple dela Cruz in hablon
 photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

Sidney Eculla, 25, sometimes known simply as 'Sid', is an Ilonggo fashion designer. Born in Igbaras, Iloilo, Eculla is self-trained. His passion for designing clothes started as a teenager when he was exposed as a production designer in school-based theater. He knew that one day he would make a living out of it. In 2007, Eculla worked as an assistant for Manila-based designer Edgar Allan.

In the last quarter of 2009 before moving back to Iloilo, Eculla was invited in a showcase of Philippine fabrics where he showed his collection of hablon of Miag-ao, Iloilo and silk cocoon of Aklan outside Philippines at the Philippine Center in 5th Avenue, New York.

For his first fashion show here in Iloilo, the designer has chosen abaca and hablon, both woven in his hometown, Igbaras. These fabrics seemed the appropriate ones to be used for his collections. Light and warm with a rough fluffy finish to it. In the raw it was very matt but beautifully finished with a delicate sheen. It not flashy or as smooth as silk, but it is more a thread of the earth.

hablon ensemble by Sidney Eculla, photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

Hand-woven fabrics of hablon and abaca enable him to assemble a range of colors that reflects the essence of the earth. Colors and texture are still his passions that keep him using our hand-loomed fabrics. The fabrics create a spectacular and enduring look with each piece designed to take advantage of the inherent characteristics of the fibers and yarns used. They are unique in texture, appearance and hand.

Eculla continues to develop his unique collection of hand-woven fabrics. Over the years, the response to this fabric has been overwhelming. The designer continually experiments and sample to find new weaves and textures. His collection brings a contemporary look to ancient textile traditions and bridges the gap between couture and wearable art.

His work demonstrates the best understanding or interpretation of the elements of art and design, a mastery of materials and techniques, imagination, inventiveness and individuality, and aesthetic consistency. His goal is to create a look and feel that suits the intended use - fabrics that are both luxurious and functional.

phtoto by Ryan Rey Genciana

Eculla travels to Manila every now and then for his clients and continues to stay on the cutting edge of fashion design. His studio is located at Soriano Complex, West Avenue, Molo, Iloilo City. You can also get in touch with him through his cellular phone number at 09276076031.

See more of his collections in the 4th Fiber Fashion Fair with Anyag on August 27 at 7 p.m., SM City Activity Center. This annual industry event is jointly organized by SM City Iloilo in cooperation with GMA-6 Iloilo, The News Today, Graphic etc. Printhaus, Iloilo Grand Hotel, New Asia Holidays Corporation, Golden Krafty Enterprises, IVQ Landholdings Inc., Beauty Dynamics Facial Care Center, Villa Darroca, Escas, Deocampos Barquillos, Biscocho Haus, Glecas Catering and Food Services and KRS Catering.

A Visual Feast of Weaving Traditions for the 4th Fashion Fiber Fair

abaca outfit by International Lifestyle Designer PJ SAranador of Estancia,
 Iloilo for Fiber Fashion Fair 2008

The Fiber Fashion Fair is the only one of its kind annual fiber fair in the region held in Iloilo. It is the most effective way to promote the indigenous fabrics of Panay. It is no wonder that the Fiber Fashion Fair has already become a must see for all those weaving supporters in Panay.

The Fiber Fashion Fair is not just a place to market Panay hand-loomed and fiber products, but also a platform to celebrate weaving history in a unique way by showcasing the works of ordinary and extraordinary weavers of Panay, promoting the exploration of knowledge and ideas on weaving and providing an avenue for viewing and appreciation.

Visitors can experience the diversity of weaving cultures – showcased through the variety of colors and style. The display plays an important role in helping people learn about the industry. It is also a popular point of call for the buying public.

The event is a visual feast, characterized by vivid colors, shapes and textures as visitors connect to individual weavers and weaving communities through their display. The fair will showcase all the products and services related to weaving. It will also be an opportunity for weaving communities and entrepreneurs to enter the Ilonggo market.

photo by Ryan Rey Genciana, patadyong and hablon outfit by Ian Jorda

Although this industry is predominantly female, the exhibition will cater for men as well. With a growing male interest in the beauty industry, we cannot afford to ignore the masculine side.

The fiber fair is set out to draw visitors from influential target markets. It is also geared at providing exhibitors that essential part of marketing such as direct communications with future clients. Apart from showcasing their products and services, exhibitors will have the opportunity to educate the industry and clients about hand-loomed fabrics. The event is seen as a catalyst for success and advancement in the Panay weaving industry.

The 4th Fiber Fashion Fair will take place at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo on August 24-28, 2011. With display and exhibitions from the weaving municipalities of Miag-ao, Oton, Igbaras, Dueñas and Badiangan, Iloilo on August 24-28 at the lower ground floor area fronting Toy Kingdom. Daily fashion shows starting on August 26 at the SM City activity center will feature Lexter Badaña for Habol Aninipay at 5 p.m.; a bag fashion show featuring St. Joseph School-Iloilo at 6 p.m. and Jet Salcedo for Hablon Moda at 7 p.m. August 27 will have Greg Sintin for Habol Ilonggo at 5 p.m.; the Napulak Ladies Circle of the municipality of Igbaras in their hablon fashion show at 6 p.m. and Sidney Eculla for Anyag at 7 p.m. The last day of the series of fashion shows will feature the Municipality of Oton in their hablon outfits at 6 p.m. and Jay Masangya for Piña Moda at 7 p.m.

This annual industry event is jointly organized by SM City Iloilo in cooperation with GMA-6 Iloilo, The News Today, Graphic etc. Printhaus, Iloilo Grand Hotel, New Asia Holidays Corporation, Golden Krafty Enterprises, IVQ Landholdings Inc., Beauty Dynamics Facial Care Center, Villa Darroca, Escas, Deocampos Barquillos, Biscocho Haus, Glecas Catering and Food Services and KRS Catering.

Weaving Strength and Beauty in Abaca

abacca from Janiuay, Iloilo

There is vast amount of indigenous fibers that can be found in the Philippines. And one of the most popular is abaca.

Grown as a commercial crop, abaca is a species of banana native to our country. Called as Manila hemp to the international community, it grows about 15 feet tall with a total lifespan of about 10 years. Its sheath or covering around its trunk contain a valuable fiber known for its high tensile strength.

To produce the fiber, the primary and secondary sheaths are separated---a process called tuxying, and then stripped to get the fibers. It is then dried usually following tradition way of sun-drying and the fibers are spun into twines or cordage. These coarse fibers range from 5 to 1.5 feet in length is of great economic importance to Filipinos.

Classified as a hard fiber, the toughest natural fiber in the world, it is used primarily for rope due to its durability and flexibility and its resistance to salt water damage. It became a popular material for ship's lines and fishing nets.

Not known to many, the abaca produced in our country remains to be favorably competitive over the one produced by Ecuador, the only other commercial producer of abaca in the world. Eighty-five percent of abaca production in the international market is dominated by the Philippines and the remaining percentage comes from Ecuador.

As a lead exporter of this type of fiber, the abaca industry remains as one of our country's major sources of employment sustaining more than 1.5 million Filipinos that directly and indirectly depend on it for their livelihood (source: The Competitive Advantage of Philippine Fibers in the International Market: A Learning Experience," presented by Administrator Cecilia Gloria J. Soriano, administrator of the Fiber Industry Development Administration, 2008).

photo by Boboy Librodo

People have found many ways to use the abaca fiber as raw material for their products such as in handcrafts like bags, hats, carpet, footwear, fashion accessories, furniture, clothing---as a textile material or as a blending material with silk, piña or polyester in the production of high-end fabrics.

There is a great potential for our fiber industry, although there is still a need to expand programs on abaca, rehabilitation and maintenance of abaca farms Iloilo, provide facilities to fully utilize the farmers’ produce, conduct livelihood trainings, and partner with private institutions for added investments.

photo by JV Perez (PALI)

Lead government agencies such as the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism and other concerned stakeholders such as SM City Iloilo became more aggressive in their efforts of supporting this industry and has given abaca its long-overdue recognition for the many contributions not only in the fashion industry but more so in the livelihood of so many Ilonggos.

This collaborative partnership resulted to the mounting of the annual celebration of Indigenous Fashion Fiber Fair. This year, with more visible products made from abaca found in the fashion industry produced from towns such as Janiuay and Igbaras, the 4th Indigenous Fashion Fiber Fair will be held on August 24 -28, 2011 at the SM City Activity Center. See abaca fiber textiles hand dyed into subtle earth tones or riotous tropical hues, interwoven with metallic threads, and turned into an almost limitless variety.

We invite you to view our exhibit section from August 24-28 at the ground floor of SM City Iloilo fronting Toy Kingdom as well as to our daily fashion shows starting on August 26-28 at the activity center for a better idea on the use of these cloths.

Iloilo Embraces Eco-Chic Bayong Bags

Ilonggo bag designers with their personalized hand-painted bayongs, photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

Indigenous to our country's warm and wet climate, the buri tree has been flourishing on Philippine soil for centuries, long before the Spaniards found our shores. A buri palm tree, growing really huge produces flower once in its life. And after it produce a large number of small round fruits, it dies. Its leaves grow up to five meters long. From this tree, three types of fibers are obtained: buri, raffia, and buntal and are turned in a whole range of products, such as fans, hats, baskets, shoes, and bags, the most popular one is the Bayong.

hand-painted mermaid by Ilonggo artist Trina Ascalon,  photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

For those who are not familiar with a “Bayong”, it’s a type of is a hand-woven native mat bag made of buri palm leaves in the Visayan areas. Weaving buri in some parts of Tigbauan and Barotac Nuevo has been considered as an activity that maintains their cultural identification and community development undertakings. It shows the relationship of the weavers to their fellow weavers at the same time with the environment.

Before making the bayong, the buri palm leaves is cut and the center rib is removed. The two halves are separated then rolled in a coil, about one foot in diameter. Tied and held at the bottom of a pot by a rock. The coil is cooked by the boiling water, removing some of its color. The coil is then dried in the sun open and the leaves flattened with stick. They are drawn through a small bladed metal tool, which cut each leaf into four or five narrow strips and are bundled loosely and left to further bleached in the sun before being re-soaked in cold water for about 12 hours. The natural color has been almost completely faded. It gets woven then into a bag.

The most demanding part about making a bayong is not so much as the actual process of putting together the material to produce it, but more of generating the raw material needed to make our bayong uniquely Filipino.

hand-painted passport cases by Trina Ascalon, photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

Trina Ascalon, an Ilongga restaurateur and painter by heart started painting bayongs in December of last year. She gave it as gifts to her aunt when many started to notice it and started buying them. Presently, she and her partner Mario Gual are producing casually chic bayong bags with paintings creatively executed suitable for today’s fashionable women.

The bayong used as a market bag is now used as a fashion bag with distinctive designs and with raw materials that are eco-friendly. Thanks to Trina, these bayongs are increasing in popularity, invading mainstream and high fashion.

“Not only that we are promoting local products, but we are also proud that our products are made by Ilonggos. Turning these ordinary bayong into trendy and durable bags will open more opportunities for people in the countryside to boost their income”, Ascalon said. “It is also our response to the need of taking care of the environment by using this biodegradable material”, she adds. There are literally hundreds upon thousands of painted bag designs that you will find but you are assured that each one is produced exclusively only from on of the finest young artists in Iloilo City.

But perhaps the truly distinguishing factor of the bayong bag is that each piece is painstakingly and uniquely painted and embellished by hand which means that a lot of hard work is personally put into each bayong by the producers themselves. Their creative designs can raise the competitive level of bayong bags and will be used by people from the upper social classes.

Ascalon with her partner aim to export their product outside the country since many foreigners are in to indigenous products and surely, it will be a hit to them because this product is of good quality and have fashionable designs.

They already have sufficient supply of painted bayongs that they will be selling and promoting and the incoming 4th Indigenous Fashion Fiber Fair on August 26-28 at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo was chosen as the launching point of these beautiful works of art. One of the fashion show segment of the event is to showcase one of the province’s highly regarded raw material, the buri or palm tree. The buri fashion show will feature new products using the tough but elegant material. Among the collections are teenage bags, summer bags, and the more lifestyle-oriented fashion bags. Models will be bringing out the bayong and will showcase them to the audience. Of course, the highlight of the buri bags is the visual composition, which incorporates lifestyle concepts to make more elegant designs.

There are more to come for local artists such as Ascalon who never contends herself with her achievements as she strive to do more for the buri industry, the buri farmers, and the country.

Beautiful, Bountiful Banate

The coastal town of Banate in the northern part of the province is primarily a fishing and agricultural municipality. It is well known for their bluecrabs locally known as kasag and ginamos or shrimp paste.

Comprised of 18 barangays, it has a land area of 11,886 hectares, about as big as the city of Iloilo, is 50 kilometers away from the province’ capital.

If you are looking for an all-day adventure, the coastal and mountain areas of Banate provides a glorious backdrop attractive all year-round. The town is a great place for outdoor experiences, from snorkeling to challenging wilderness hikes.

The coastline of Banate covers approximately 8.38 kilometers blessed with coral gardens, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest. It is a productive fishing area and also popular for snorkeling and diving.

Reserve status was called for by international organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), due to the unique formation of coastline, the abundant fishery resources and the an interlinked system of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats in this area.

The marine conservation program in the area, the Banate-Barotac Bay Resource Management Council Incorporated with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the provincial and municipal government contributed to the reserve process when they and residents discussed basic marine ecological concepts, and the idea of creating a marine reserve evolved.

Active enforcement began through Municipal Resolution No. 50, series of 2000 establishing the area as a marine reserve. Studies have been made that provided long-term understanding of biological changes in marine reserves. Results show that reserves can lead to increases in abundance, size, and biomass and that they can benefit the surrounding fisheries. These reserves have provided economic benefits to the local communities by increasing tourism and associated revenues.

University of San Agustin sophomore tourism students in Hibotkan for Tumandok 2011

An important attraction to the reserve is Hibotkan, a 25-hectare rock sanctuary situated in the waters of Barangay San Salvador. It is a marine protected resource supported by Municipal Ordinance No.12. It appears only during low tide and can be reached through a motorized banca. With a distance of 3-kilometers from the wharf, one can go snorkeling to explore several species of corals that are abundant in the area. The presence of these unique corals actively encouraged the area as a tourist attraction; the shallow clear waters make it an ideal spot for snorkellers to observe them.

Get acquainted with another spectacular piece of nature, the hypnotizing natural phenomenon of Caniapasan Falls located in the wilderness area of Barangay Managopaya, 13 kilometers from the town proper. Fairly located in a remote barangay, this relatively small but scenic cascading waterfall has series of smaller water falls on the rugged, upturned rocks. Located in a sheltered, beautiful spot, the water gushes much over a wide ledge and drops about 10 feet. The walk to the falls is moderate. The trailhead is not so difficult to reach but physical stamina may be required.

From Iloilo City, to reach Banate, one may take jeepneys that are readily available in Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City. Air-conditioned vans are also available at the terminal.

JANIUAY Cemetery: A Great Repository of Architectural Delight

the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Janiuay circa 18th century, photo courtesy of Museo Iloilo

Many of the more interesting historical sights in Iloilo can be found along the main roads going to the different municipalities. And one unique and unusual way to get to know a town’s history is to take a tour to its cemetery. Although there are no guided tours for cemeteries for it easy to see the sight, as you could just drive around them in the comforts of your car.

Cemeteries are reflections of a number of aspects of our culture. Unlike other historical areas in Iloilo, cemeteries were not devastated by wars. They are “untouched,” so, most of the architectures in the area are preserved.

For many Ilonggos, the town of Janiuay is associated with its grand Filipino-Hispano cemetery. This cemetery forms part of the multiplex of Spanish colonial sites of this historically rich province.

photo by Jun Fuerte

The Janiuay Catholic Cemetery is a one hectare tract located east from the poblacion bordering between Barangays Aquino-Nobleza and Damu-ong dates back to 1875. Built on top of a hill, it is one of the most beautiful of its kind in the country. This massive, elevated cemetery is one of the links of the Janiuaynons to the past.

photo by Jun Fuerte

It is made up of three grand arched entrance gates with individual staircases of 21 steps leading to its rightmost entrance; 23 steps going to the main entrance; and 22 steps to its leftmost entrance. It was said that the slabs of stones and limestone blocks used in building the entire cemetery were quarried and hauled by 52 carabaos as far as the town of Dingle---a town 27 kilometers away from Janiuay. The area is fenced by steel supported by columns made of stone.

Common to most Spanish-built structures in Iloilo, egg whites were important ingredients in building this cemetery. When combined with lime and water, the mixture becomes a natural adhesive linking other construction materials together like rocks and bricks. It is also often used as varnishing to cover and protect surfaces of columns, walls and facades of man-made structures.

photo by Ryan Rey Genciana

The octagonal-shaped capilla, partially overgrown with plants and shrubs, is the centerpiece of the cemetery. Artisans from Manila were commissioned to work for its interior. It has lancet-shaped doors and windows. This would have been a place of final vigils and services for the dead.

photo by Jun Fuerte

The building of the cemetery was under the watchful supervision of an Agustinian friar, Fr. Fernando Llorente with actual construction being undertaken by Don Placido Marin through forced labor wherein the town folks had to transport heavy materials such as the stones used in the construction from its boundaries. In November 20, 1885, the cemetery was finished and inaugurated by Archbishop Payo.

photo by Jun Fuerte

Over the past 126 years, the Janiuay Catholic Cemetery, like many other historic cemeteries in Iloilo, has suffered from neglect and natural aging. The present administration, under the leadership of Hon. Franklin H. Locsin recognizes the historical and architectural importance of the site and is lobbying for a major restoration project at the cemetery. The project is dedicated to the preservation of not only the town, but Iloilo’s irreplaceable historic and cultural treasure for future generations.

From Iloilo City, to reach the start of the trail in Janiuay, one may take jeepneys that are readily available in Centraline Terminal fronting Christ the King Memorial Park in Jaro, Iloilo City. Air-conditioned vans are also available at the terminal.