There's something about handcrafted works that elevate an item when presented to you. Nowadays, we are so accustomed to mass-produced items.  Fast fashion has become the norm in today's rapidly moving world. Many of our everyday items like our clothes, bags, and shoes were likely made by a machine. This just makes the handcrafted item even more special.

After all, to create with your own hands feels akin to creating life. Just imagine a weaver at work, starting with nothing but a bundle of fabrics and textiles at their disposal. From that, they manage to create life by slowly planning out each intricate pattern to create their desired image. 

It’s always a joy to know that there are efforts to keep our weaving industry thriving in this modern age. Next month on Oct. 13, the 13th edition of the annual Likhang HABI Market Fair will take place at the Glorietta and Palm Drive Activity Center. This year’s theme reflects the deepening and ever-expanding digital world we now live in, “Web of Woven Wonders.” It sheds light on how the Internet allows the growing interconnectedness of people, places, and things. Former HABI president Adelaida Lim says this is similar to, “the way textiles tie and bind us to each other.”

“The country’s traditional textiles and the innovative weaves various groups of Filipinos have come up with are truly wonderful,” Lim adds. “The diversity and beauty of finished products, and the consummate skill it took to make them are something we can all be proud of!”

Perhaps the best part about the Likhang HABI Market Fair is the opportunities it provides for weavers nationwide. Just this year alone, up to 72 participants from various regional and ethnic groups nationwide are expected to show off their wares. These include textiles, clothes, bags, shoes, and home accessories made from piña, abaca, and cotton, among others. Our ASEAN neighbors from Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand have also been invited to participate in showing off their wares.

Another exciting thing to expect is the incentives being provided for the stall owners. This year, there will be two competitions that hope to promote hand-weaving and uplift the livelihoods of the country’s traditional weavers. Namely, the sixth annual Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the second Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition. 

Aside from all the competitions and wares, there’s also a focus on keeping such traditions ongoing. To help promote and document such practices, HABI has put out three documentaries collectively entitled “The Threaded Traditions Series.” They will also be releasing a book, Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovations, written by Panay native Dr. Randy M. Madrid. 

The book hopes to share the positive updates in sustaining heritage fabrics made of locally grown natural fibers. It also sheds light on the inspiring work done by researchers and weavers to search for and revive certain antique patterns and textures that were previously thought to have been lost. 

For more information about the Likhang HABI Market Fair, visit the HABI: Philippine Textile Council website: www.habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com or their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram: @HABICouncil.