Clothing
and textiles have been enormously important throughout human history–so have
their materials, production tools and techniques, cultural influences, and
social significance. Methods of textile production have continually evolved,
and the choices of textiles available have influenced how people carried their
possessions, clothed themselves, and decorated their surroundings.
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| a weaver from Barangay Salngan, Oton |
Weaving textiles is one of the longest continuing
traditional arts in the Philippines. Many provinces in the country have a rich
history of weaving fabrics were most of them would date back from as early as
pre-Hispanic era. And with a diverse culture, the traditions of weaving vary
from one place to another.
The Philippines is famous for hand-loomed textiles
which differ from the finest and transparent in quality to the textured and
geometric design. It is said that
of the ten notable Philippine fabrics, six come from the island of Panay,
namely piña, sinamay, jusi, abaca, patadyong and hablon.
Our
hand-loomed textiles are sought after items both locally and worldwide. High levels of Filipino
ingenuity are alive in the textile store rooms of museums in different parts of
the world. It was said that in
1862, on the occasion of Queen Alexandria’s marriage to Edward VII, an
intricately embroidered piña
handkerchief was purchased and presented as a wedding gift to the couple. The
replica can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Nineteenth-century tourists and
businessmen from Europe and America were fascinated by our local textiles and were popular items for souvenirs from the Philippines. These fabrics are simple but decorative.
Known
to be the most popular is the Piña fabric of Aklan. This hand-loomed textile is made from
pineapple leaf fibers. It is a delicate cloth and is considered to be one of
the most expensive, thus, it is only used for very formal occasions.
The Sinamay and
JUSI fabrics of Arevalo in Iloilo are
also very popular fabrics. Sinamay
may be dyed or stiffened, depending on how a user likes it to
be. It could also be either in a loose or tight weaving
pattern. Jusi is basically a translucent fabric woven from a combination of silk
yarn and pineapple thread. It is commonly embroidered with intricate
designs. It is mechanically woven and stronger than the piña cloth.
ABACA is vegetable leaf fiber derived from
the Musa Textilis plant. The fiber is
obtained from the outer layer of the leaf. The finer fibers are used for
weaving cloth. The outer, coarser fibers are used in the manufacture of matting
and durable cordage. It is hand-woven material found in the Province of Aklan
and in the municipalities of Janiuay and Igbaras in Iloilo.
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| coordinated threads are placed to produce Patadyong |
patadyong is a cotton fabric in plaid patterns of red, blue,
yellow, green and pink with white borders, is considered as the most popular hand-woven
textile of Iloilo specifically in the town of Miagao. It is popularly used,
especially in rural areas for a variety of purposes: it can be a wraparound,
lower-body cover, a drape over the shoulder used to carry babies or objects, and
a cover-up when bathing or washing in the river, or a table spread or curtain.
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| male hablon weaver in Badiangan, Iloilo |
HABLON is a hand-woven cloth made of cotton blends in plain or plaid patterns popularly woven in the towns of
Miagao, Oton, Badiangan, Duenas and Igbaras.
Established in 2008 the Indigenous Fashion Fiber Fair is
set to promote our local weaving industries with the objective of exploring the history and
importance of fiber and textile arts in our communities and our lives; fostering
inter-generational connections; sharing new techniques and project ideas; providing
opportunities for shopping for hand-made, unique gifts and collectibles; and,
offering fun, excitement, education, and relaxation for fiber enthusiasts and
the general public.
The annual event started highlighting beautiful creations
by local designers on good quality indigenous fabrics that featured
textile and fiber works in Panay including the versatile hand woven hablon, patadyong, pina, jusi and abaca.
The fashion show segment of the fair does not only showcase the creativity of
our local weavers but, more importantly, it hopes to generate sustained demand
for these local fabrics both here and abroad.
The
Indigenous Fashion Fiber Fair puts to fore the art of hand weaving, one of the
most important crafts handed down from generation to generation along with the
indigenous fabrics admired for their sheer beauty, uniqueness and global appeal.
This is an annual event organized by the Iloilo Provincial Government through
the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism, SM City Iloilo and the
Department of Tourism VI this year is proud to show the textile and fiber work
of a number of Ilonggo communities from the municipalities of Miagao, Oton,
Duenas, Badiangan, Igbaras and Janiuay on October 17-19, 2012 at the SM City
activity center.
