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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider ANTHILL, Maybank Foundation partner to boost weaving communities

ANTHILL, Maybank Foundation partner to boost weaving communities

Published Feb 28, 2025 10:19 am
IMG-20250226-WA0007 (1).jpg
Formalising a Partnership that Empowers the Filipino Weaving Community: Lin Ariffin (left),
Head Community Empowerment, Maybank Foundation and Anya Lim, Co-Founder and
Managing Director, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery at the ANTHILL Headquarters in Cebu City

 

CEBU CITY—As ANTHILL Fabric Gallery celebrates 15 years of empowering Filipino weaving communities, it proudly announces its partnership with Maybank Foundation as the official implementing partner of the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Programme (MWEW) in the Philippines. This marks the fifth country where the programme is being implemented, following its success in Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The expansion into the Philippines strengthens Maybank Foundation’s commitment to empowering communities across ASEAN through cultural preservation and economic development.

As an ASEAN-accredited entity, Maybank Foundation plays a significant role in advancing regional social impact initiatives, ensuring that programmes like MWEW align with broader sustainability goals and contribute to economic inclusion across ASEAN.

Since its inception, the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Programme has trained over 1,900 women weavers and supported more than 2,200 farmers across Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Laos, fostering a sustainable ecosystem that integrates natural fiber cultivation, textile artisanship, and financial empowerment. By providing artisans with capacity-building, financial literacy, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, the programme strengthens economic resilience while preserving cultural heritage.

The Philippines’ inclusion in the programme builds on this success, with a focus on enhancing abaca fiber research and production – one of the country’s most valuable natural resources. By incorporating farmers, weavers, and circular economy principles, MWEW aims to create a sustainable value chain that not only ensures income stability for artisans but also promotes regenerative farming practices that benefit local ecosystems.

“For 15 years, ANTHILL has been deeply committed to weaving sustainability into the fabric of Filipino communities,” said Anya Lim, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery. “This partnership with Maybank Foundation is a major milestone, allowing us to scale our impact further, bridge generational gaps in weaving, and strengthen the livelihoods of our partner artisans.”

“Through a shared commitment to cultural preservation and sustainable development, ANTHILL and Maybank Foundation aim to empower weaving communities with the tools, resources, and market access they need to thrive in a modern economy. The Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Programme initiative will not only enhance the visibility and economic resilience of women weavers but also reinforce the importance of ethical and sustainable textile production in the Philippines,” said Izlyn Ramli, Head of Group Corporate Affairs Maybank and CEO of Maybank Foundation.

This collaboration reflects the power of collective action in uplifting traditional industries and fostering social impact. By working with ANTHILL, Maybank Foundation is investing in both heritage and innovation, ensuring that weaving remains a viable and meaningful livelihood for future generations. The success of this initiative is also made possible with the support of Maybank Philippines, alongside Maybank’s Cebu and Cagayan de Oro branch teams, who play an instrumental role in engaging with the local weaving communities, strengthening outreach, and ensuring the programme’s long-term sustainability.

As ANTHILL embarks on its next chapter of impact, this partnership reaffirms its commitment to creating inclusive growth for weaving communities and championing a circular, sustainable economy. With the combined efforts of Maybank Foundation, Maybank Philippines, and its regional teams, ANTHILL continues to weave a future where culture, livelihood, and sustainability are intricately intertwined.

For more information on ANTHILL Fabric Gallery and Maybank Foundation’s Eco Weavers Program, visit www.anthillmarkets.com and www.maybankfoundation.com or contact Anya Lim at [email protected]

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Maybank Philippines Incorporated
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