Loom Weavers in Iloilo
I visited this far flung place in Iloilo to observe how beautiful fabrics like scarves, sarongs and even barongs are made. We had to cross several towns and a vast ricefield to get there and believe me, the place is in the middle of nowhere. I stayed there for half a day trying to observe how the locals still use traditional loom machines to weave fabrics. I was in awe by their skills in coordinating strands and colors to come up with a particular design.
Weaving is not easy. I interviewed one of the weavers about the process and she said that it usually takes her two to four days to complete one meter of woven fabric. The fabrics are sold for P350 each at least. If the client provides the materials, they are paid P50 a day to weave according to the client’s specifications. Most of their clients are local fashion designers and store owners in the city.
Let’s patronize our own products to help these micro-entrepreneurs earn a living!
Technorati Tags: Micro Entrepreneurs, Iloilo, Philippines, Loom weaving
im really very thankful you found a great guy like him.
hablon is the name of this locally hand-woven beautiful fabric from iloilo, particularly from the towns of miag ao and oton and owning one piece of this cloth is like having an heirloom. i remember my late grandmother has a dress made of hablon when she was younger, but because she is slim and medium built, not one of her daughters nor grandaughters was able to inherit it, so until now it’s still there in her aparador.