W. Visayas men, women learn ‘hablon’-weaving

ILOILO CITY -- To address the continuous stereotyping and limiting roles of women and men in the community, the National Museum Western Visayas hosted a hablon weaving demonstration and lecture on Saturday.

Some 63 men and women from public and private schools and universities, public and private institutions, artist groups, and tourists experienced weaving fabric in a loom, locally called the “teral”.

The event underscored that men can also take part in the weaving industry.

Master weaver Connie Atijon from Miag-ao town, Iloilo held a brief lecture, with his son Franco, before the demonstration proper.

Connie emphasized the need for the younger generations to value the weaving tradition and to learn the weaving process if given the opportunity.

She expressed hope that her weaving skills would be passed on to the youth so that the age-old tradition would continue.

“Some of the youth now prefer to play with their gadgets than learn traditions like hablon (weaving). I hope they give time learning how to weave,” she said in her lecture.

She added that her five year-old granddaughter already knows how to use the “teral”, proof that age is not a hindrance to learning when one is willing.

His son Franco, on the other hand, said gender should not dictate what one should do and be passionate about.

He assists his mother in their weaving business in Barangay Indag-an, Miag-ao, Iloilo, which now houses 20 terals and 20 weavers.

“I encourage my fellow men to learn weaving. This work and passion is not only for women,” he said in an interview.

Connie said hablon does not only support them in their day-to-day living but it is also an identity of Visayan women.

First to experience the hands-on weaving assisted by Connie was Yeti Arbiz, a museum-goer from Guimaras.

“For me, it’s not really important that all the youth should learn how to weave. What’s important is that the culture and tradition will be made known to them,” she said, adding that the youth should also appreciate the economic opportunity from hablon weaving.

Efforts had been done to revive Iloilo’s weaving tradition as the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority implemented a Cotton Development Program in Miag-ao town.

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research institute also partnered with the Iloilo Science and Technology University to put up a Yarn Production and Innovation Center, also in Miag-ao.

With these government interventions, Connie said she hopes that hablon weaving would continue to flourish.
Hablon is Hiligaynon for “habol”, which refers to both the weaving process and its finished fabric.

The demonstration and lecture was held as part of National Women's Month. It will again be conducted at the National Museum Western Visayas, Iloilo Capitol Complex, Iloilo City from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (PNA)

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