Abstract 26/NF Abstract

"...the late afternoon sunlight, warm as oil, sweet as childhood..." 

~ Stephen King, Carrie

Linking to NF Abstract

Hablon Weaving

A closer look at "hablon" weaving in Iloilo. 

"Hablon" is a hand-loomed fabric woven by women of Panay Island in the Visayas region for more than a century.

I have always associated the tapping sounds of hablon weaving to that of  Tinikling, a traditional Filipino dance.  The rhythm and grace of a hablon weaver are comparable to that of a Tinikling dancer, but hablon weaving is definitely more challenging.  I've watched the weavers at Arevalo Weaving Center in Iloilo and I came to appreciate the intricacy of this craft.

When the Spanish arrived in Panay in the 1560s, hablon weaving in the island was well-established.  Colorful hand-woven fabrics were sold in festive market fairs, local traders bartered with the Chinese, and by 1870s, hand-woven textile was the main export of the province. 

The weavers were using natural fibers such as cotton, jusi (banana fiber), pina (pineapple fiber) and maguey fiber.  By the 1920s, weavers made innovations by combining man-made fibers and hablon went on to become a major player in the Philippine textile industry in the 1950s up to 1970s.  The demand declined in the 1980s when the market was dominated by less labor-intensive, machine-woven textiles.  The number of weavers also dwindled as they started to look for better job opportunities.  The lack of interest to learn the craft among the younger generation also contributed to hablon's decline. I don't blame them---hablon weaving is not easy.

Hablon weavers are getting old.  Lola Mayang, a hablon weaver in her 80's, started weaving at 15 and was able to send her children to college.  I watched as her arthritic fingers skillfully handled the spools, both legs pedal the bamboo poles.  But her fading eyesight will eventually force her to retire soon.

Patadyong is a multi-colored fabric, also a hablon product, worn by Filipino women in pre-colonial Philippines.  It is still worn today by older women in the provinces, especially in the Visayas region.  It is worn like a loose skirt, knotted on the waist.  It is also worn as a sling and used to carry a baby so the mother's hands are free to do other chores.

Hablon are made into shawls, barong (a formal Filipino garment), dresses and gowns, home textile and scarves.

At Arevalo Weaving Center, I was pleasantly surprised to see 3 young weavers---they're young men in their early 20's.  Hablon weaving is still a woman's craft but I wouldn't be surprised if more men would get into this livelihood.  The 3 young weavers were field workers in a sugarcane plantation in my home province of Negros Occidental.  A nun brought them to Iloilo to help them find jobs that would eventually support their schooling.  They expressed interest in learning hablon weaving and the owners of the weaving center took them in.  

It was particularly fascinating to watch this young man with tattoos unwinding threads, making spools dance across strands of fibers.  I asked if he'd go back to his old job---he said no, hablon weaving is easier than cutting grass in the fields under the hot sun.  He smiled and added that his skin became lighter since he started weaving.  

To sustain this industry, hablon weaving definitely needs young blood and new market.

Panay is a historic island in the western Visayas region.  It is composed of 4 provinces--Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz and Antique.  Iloilo is the biggest city and the center of trade.  There are numerous sea ports and 4 airports in Panay, 3 of which are for domestic flights, the airport in Iloilo now caters to international flights. It's 55 minutes from Manila by plane.

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

Blue Monday
Our World Tuesday

Infested

Orange-colored bugs infested an okra plant.

"Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control.  It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star.  Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper." 
           ~ Albert Einstein

Linking to Orange You Glad It's Friday

Mandarin Orange Monday

Gone Fishing

I'll be gone for a week for a much needed break and may not have access to the internet.  I'll see you again next week.

Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics.:p

Sun after a storm/SWF

The sun shines through the clouds after the storm.

Manila Bay

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain. ~ Vivian Greene 

It takes a real storm in the average person's life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.  ~ Bruce Barton

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Abstract 25/NF Abstract

Stylized Anahaw Leaves

Linking to NF Abstract

Reflections

Moonlight

The true joy of a moonlit night is something we no longer understand.  Only the men of old, when there were no lights, could understand the true joy of a moonlit night. ~ Yasunari Kawabata

Dawn

We went down into the silent garden.  Dawn is the time when nothing breathes, the hour of silence.  Everything is transfixed, only the light moves.  ~ Leonora Carrington

Sunset

In silence the three of them looked at the sunset and thought about God. ~ Maud Heart Lovelace

Linking to Mandarin Orange-Monday

Monday Mellow Yellows

Beef Bulgogi

I was 10 minutes away from home when a heavy downpour, courtesy of Mang Gorio, brought the late afternoon traffic to a crawl.  Luckily, I was just a few meters away from the mall, and I decided to take shelter instead of wasting gas and sitting in traffic.  I haven't been to a newly opened BonChon Chicken branch here and although I'm not that crazy about their chicken, I'd like to try their other dishes.  

I got Beef Bulgogi with rice, and extra beef for an additional forty pesos, and ChapChae, a traditional Korean noodle dish (which I had bagged for take-away, hence, no photo.:p).  ChapChae is made of black glass noodles (bigger than sotanghon), flavored with sesame oil, thinly sliced vegetables--I couldn't remember if there was meat, and garnished with sliced scrambled egg and sesame seeds. It was a bit too oily but tasty.  I'd definitely order it again.

I also enjoyed the flavors of this Beef Bulgogi (Korean pronunciation:  pulgogi), but some slices of meat were not as tender.  Bulgogi is one of the most popular Korean grilled dishes made from thin slices of marinated sirloin.  Bulgogi was listed at no. 23 on CNN's Your Pick: World's 50 best foods.

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Twilight After Gorio

Twilight at Manila Bay yesterday, a day after tropical storm "Gorio" (international name:  Rumbia) left the Philippines.   Forecasters predicted typhoon Gorio would hit Metro Manila early Sunday, but it veered away  towards Batangas province then blew away towards the West Philippine Sea.  But it did leave thousands of commuters stranded after ferries cancelled their trips.

Dark clouds trailed behind typhoon Gorio, a humid day punctuated by light rains, the sea was calm and these fishermen were back at sea.  Monday ended with a mellow sunset.

Location:  SM By The Bay, Pasay City.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Watery World-Wednesday