THE trend has been supporting local products and artisans in our community not only in Baguio, the Cordilleras but the whole archipelago. It indeed has become viral and will now hopefully persist as a way of life. Thanks to our cultural warriors and organizations like the HABI Philippine Textile Company. Sustainability and preservation of our culture is set forth. This also encourages our youth to go back to the basics and still have fun. Learning crafts like how they did it during the olden times is simply divine!

The HABI Pop Up of Culture at the Shangri-La Plaza was held June 28 to 30. It was about preserving and sustaining our weaving communities in the Philippines in textile, basketry and crafts. Contemporary pieces made it more attractive and exciting for the young ones. There was fashion and accessories that the youth would surely love to wear and at the same time familiarize oneself with its different cultural significance. It was also a homemaker’s special treat as all the merchandise such as blankets, covers, and placemats, coasters, plates and home décor were especially crafted by artisans.

RARA, an exhaustive and painstaking book on mat “banig” weaving was truly amazing. This was also made available at the HABI exhibit and authored by Elmer Nocheseda. One comes to appreciate the beautiful world of mat making. Like textiles, it tells the stories of peoples, their culture and tradition.

Support local. Buy local. Till our next adventure!