CEBU-BASED social enterprise ANTHILL Fabric Gallery has opened its inaugural textile art exhibition, “Habol, Hablon, Hinablon: Until Now, We Learn,” in celebration of its 15th anniversary.
The show features debut collaborative works by Cebuano fashion designer Jessica Durano and master weaver John Rey Sanchez, curated by New York-based designer and arts researcher Kaye Yuvallos.
Running from July 3 to Oct. 3, 2025, the exhibition spotlights Cebu’s weaving heritage through contemporary interpretations of three Cebuano words: habol (warm cloth), hablon (the act of weaving), and hinablon (the woven product).
It also reflects ANTHILL’s push to elevate indigenous textiles as a form of modern art and personal expression. The trade exhibition also reinforces Cebu’s footing as a Unesco Creative City of Design, which highlights Cebu’s strong design sector, particularly in furniture, fashion and crafts, and its growing presence in multimedia arts and IT. The designation positions Cebu as a global hub for innovative practices and sustainable development through design.
“This isn’t a show about polished artifacts or fixed identities,” said Yuvallos. “It’s about making space for becoming and how stories are made through, as well as by, making. Weaving, as with our ancestors, continues to be a way to sense oneself more deeply and to welcome others to do the same.”
The exhibition centers on themes of identity, authorship, and craft. Durano, known for her work in sustainable fashion, presents Luwas (Safe), a piece made from coarse abaca fibers that challenges the conventional notion of comfort, and Diwa (Spirit), a series exploring life transitions through local materials and dried flora.
For Sanchez, a production weaver for over two decades, the exhibition marks a public debut as an artist. His works Kahupayan (Comfort) and Pagsubang (The Sun Rises) reflect his personal journey toward creative visibility.
“I’ve been behind the scenes for 20 years. Now it’s my time,” said Sanchez. “I’m stepping out of the cave.”
The opening event featured a live weaving performance, with Durano and Sanchez creating new works — Unta and Yano — on-site, offering attendees an intimate look into the ritual and rhythm of weaving.
“It’s about embracing the rhythm of making, and about sensing what it means to build something in the company of others,” said Yuvallos. “That we can expand on our traditions and our pasts to make new and meaningful odes to who we are today.”
The exhibition is open to the public free of charge at ANTHILL Fabric Gallery in Cebu City. / KOC