INSIDER SPOTLIGHT
- First PH Handloom Weaving Festival changed into a learning, cultural hub
- Over 120 neighborhood weavers gathered for data trade
- DOST-PTRI led push to merge custom, innovation in textiles
The nation’s weaving communities bought a uncommon nationwide platform to be taught, collaborate, and have fun tradition because the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) launched the primary Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival (PHWF) in Ilocos Norte.
The four-day occasion introduced collectively greater than 120 weavers from over 40 communities, united by a shared objective of increasing data and strengthening cultural id.
Why it mattered
The PHWF positions handloom weaving not solely as a cultural treasure but additionally as a knowledge-driven business. By making a learning-focused setting, the competition gave neighborhood weavers entry to new textile applied sciences, analysis insights, and inventive collaborations—assets sometimes out of attain for small weaving teams.
The large image
As a part of the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week, the competition linked traditions with science and expertise.
Organized with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and key companions, the occasion fostered a shared cultural space the place artisans, researchers, designers, and consultants explored the evolving panorama of Philippine handloom weaving.
What occurred
The competition opened with a two-day Immersion and Heritage Tour throughout La Union and the Ilocos Region, giving weavers first-hand publicity to textile landmarks and cultural websites. Stops included the Sericulture Research and Development Institute, Bangar Weaving Village, Rowilda’s Loomweaving, and the Nagbacalan Loomweavers Cooperative, amongst others.
At Robinsons Ilocos—host of the Nov. 19 to 22 essential program—the competition featured transformative learning segments designed to raise neighborhood data:
- Hinabi Textile Bazaar showcasing domestically woven merchandise
- Textile Exchange and Fora enabling dialogue amongst artisans and innovators
- Techno Demo Weaving Workshop with hands-on demonstrations
- Philippine Ikat Symposium tackling urgent problems with Ikat communities
- KatHABI Exhibit presenting textile improvements and collaborations
Between the traces
DOST-PTRI highlighted that weaving, whereas deeply rooted in heritage, was strengthened by analysis and expertise.
The competition underscored its mission to construct human-resource capabilities for international competitiveness—beginning with native weavers having access to trendy instruments and shared experience.
The backside line
By cultivating a learning-rich, culturally grounded setting, the primary PHWF marked a pivotal step in empowering Filipino weavers—bridging generations of custom with improvements that may carry the craft right into a extra sustainable, aggressive future. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma