Canadian ambassador visits Iloilo’s hablon weaving community
Photo by Nickolas Nikolic on Unsplash
Over the years, collaborations between designers and suppliers have played a role in propelling products crafted by local weavers into the consumer market, with some of these creations attaining global recognition.
Notably, the hablon weavers from Iloilo have garnered acclaim for their proficiency in integrating designs into various garments, including the iconic sablay, which is the official academic robe of the University of the Philippines.
Miagao, Iloilo, widely recognized for its UNESCO World Heritage church and as the home of the University of the Philippines Visayas, is the cradle of this thriving weaving tradition, one that significantly enriches its cultural heritage.
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In a promising development for the said weaving community, the Canadian delegation led by Canadian Ambassador David Bruce Hartman and Senior Trade Commissioner Guy Boileau visited the Indag-an Multipurpose Cooperative in the municipality.
Their visit, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI, DTI Iloilo Provincial Office, and Catalyste+ (formerly CESO) Philippines, was a testament to the strides taken by the Indag-an MPC as part of the Accelerating Women Empowerment (AWE) program.
The IMPC is part of the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that receive support from the DTI and the AWE program launched in 2020, with a particular focus on women in developing countries.
The cooperative, consisting of 20 skilled weavers, has showcased its ability to produce 2,240 shawls in a single month. Alongside shawls, their skilled artisans are also proficient in creating a diverse range of other “hablon” products, such as handkerchiefs and table runners.
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During their visit, Hartman addressed a group of women weavers emphasizing their commitment to supporting these artisans.
He went on to express his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the role of the Philippine Ambassador to Canada in finding a suitable market for their products.
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As they work together to bring hablon to a global market, this collaboration promises to enrich the lives of the weavers and the entire community, contributing to a brighter future for Miagao and its cherished traditions.
