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

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

Cozy garden/Our World-Tuesday

 Growing up in a place surrounded by trees and flowers, I miss having my own garden, which I never have in over 20 years of living in the city.  So I was delighted when I got invited to this "weekend home" in Tagaytay.      

  Tagaytay is about 52 kilometers south of Manila, and its high altitude gives the place a cooler climate.  

The city is lush---flowers and fruits are everywhere.

It was about a two-and-a-half-hour drive---the long and winding road brought us to a house at the end of a dirt road in the middle of a pineapple plantation.  

This chair was calling my name!

I love the verdant foliage and cozy nooks surrounded by flowering vines.
Anthuriums graced the pathways around the garden.
Various species of orchids and other tropical flowers filled the property.  

The garden set provides a casual yet intimate space for new friends to get to know each other.

Tucked behind the cascading white and purple Angel's Trumpet vine is another set of garden table and stools.

A retired wooden cart  sits in the garden surrounded by orchids and bougainvilleas.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Monasterio de Tarlac/Our World-Tuesday

I had an opportunity to visit Monasterio de Tarlac recently, and the road trip was a pleasant surprise.  I've been passing through Tarlac for years---all roads going to northern Luzon pass through Tarlac, and I had an impression that the whole province is flat.  So I was amazed that on the way to the Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose town, we passed mountain ranges and dense forests.  The monastery sits on top of the mountain, 300 meters above sea level within the eco-tourism park. This province is landlocked and located in the heart of Central Luzon, about 125 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila.

We were greeted by this imposing 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ, reminiscent of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.  The statue, perched on the edge of the slope, was built in 2002---2 years after the monastery was constructed.

The Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community is under the diocese of Tarlac.  It is an apostolic-contemplative community of religious men who consecrated themselves to a life of prayer and work.  There are also groups of women (nuns) congregation here, the Handmaids, the Oblates and the Contemplatives of the Risen Christ who are taking care of orphans and abandoned children, they also teach catechism in schools and parishes.

This is the chapel that serves as a relinquary house of the Relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.  The relic was given to Father Archie, the priest who started this monastery, by the former custodian of the relic, a priest in Essen, Germany.  The relic, the only one in Asia, was brought here in 2005.  

A shame I wasn't able to see it---one of the staff told me that taking a photo of the relic is not allowed. There was also a mass in the chapel so I didn't insist on seeing the relic.

Monasterio de Tarlac receives 600 to 800 visitors a week.  It's about 3 hours from Manila by car.

This mini castle is said to be the home of one of the priests.  Almost lost my footing here---and it was a long way down.  Imagine the epitaph on that one!:p

 A gazebo by the slopes of the mountain.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Flores de Mayo: a Marian exhibit/Our World-Tuesday

Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is a Catholic and Aglipayan festival held in the Philippines during the month of May.  It is celebrated through the whole month of May, in honor of the Virgin Mary, making Flores de Mayo a huge religious event.  The devotion of  Filipinos to Catholicism does not only revolve around the church and its rituals but also on images of veneration known as "santos".   These "santos" are cherished by the families who own them, and lavishly processioned during Lent, fiestas and religious holidays. 

My friends and I were at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province on Saturday.  Barasoain Church is one of the most important religious and historical structures in the Philippines--this is where the first Philippine Congress was convened in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution from 1898-1899 and the site of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.  

Beside the church is the museum where we chanced upon this Marian exhibit called "Hermandad dela Virgen Maria", on its 21st year, in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Flowers.

Each figure in this exhibit alludes to the title of the Virgin Mary.  I didn't recognize most of them but the one with pink roses on her head is Rosa Mystica (Mystical Rose); the golden wreath symbolizes the crown of saints or Reyna de los Santos; there's one holding a palm branch, Reyna de los Apostoles, queen of apostles; carrying a wand with star is Reyna de las Estrellas, and Reyna Justicia, queen of justice--she carries a sword and a weighing scale.

I've learned all these by watching the Santacruzan since I was very young---the highlight of our summer vacation before going back to school. The Santacruzan is a religio-historical beauty pageant held on the last day of the Flores de Mayo.  It is held in towns and cities all over the Philippines.

As a non-Catholic, I look at these statues not as religious icons but works of art. The intricate embroidery, the rich, handmade adornments, the beautiful sculpted faces are fascinating. Obviously, these images were based on European models but these were actually carved and painted by Filipino hands. These figures celebrate the exuberant art of our "santos" makers, and they tell a story of how faith grew in this country--the historical model was European, the execution was done locally, and the product is part of our national heritage today.

And here is my favorite---Reyna de los Martires, queen of martyrs, with a pierced heart.  She's also known as Mater Dolorosa.  I love the sad, beautiful expression on her face.

These statues will be paraded around Malolos on May 12th, with marching bands and fireworks, followed by a mass and Santacruzan.

Malolos, Bulacan province is about 42 kilometers north of Manila.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Liliw-Majayjay River

I was in Liliw, Laguna province over the weekend for the "Tsinelas Festival", and after roaming the streets of Liliw the whole morning, we drove a few minutes away from the town center to a bridge.  The bridge is at the boundary of  Liliw and Majayjay, small highland towns nestled at the foothills of Mount Banahaw.

From the bridge, we looked down to a river where folks were swimming and preparing their picnic lunch.      The aroma of grilled pork made us all hungry. :p 

The water was clear, and I found out later, refreshingly cold!  It was a very hot day, probably about 35 degrees C---I wished I brought some extra clothes so I could take a dip in the water.

I envy this girl---watched how she bravely managed the rocks and finally took a dive into the pool.  She's a lucky girl to have a place like this to enjoy in the summer.

Clumps of bamboo trees provided cooling shades; fronds rustled and pattered in the summer breeze, singing a duet with the gentle rippling sound of the river.

This river is about 100 kilometers south of Manila, approximately 1.5 to 2-hour drive.

Linking to Our World Tuesday
Water World Wednesday

Early morning @ Cansaga Bay

I stayed with my friend J for a couple of days on Holy Week when I was in Cebu.  J woke me up early on Maundy Thursday and we took a 15-minute ride on her husband's motorbike to get to the new bridge in Consolacion.  This 1.25-kilometer offshore bridge over Cansaga Bay provides a faster link between the sea and airports to the northern towns of Cebu.

The above photo is looking towards Mandaue City.  On the left side of the bridge is a locally-owned shipyard.

 

By the banks of Cansaga Bay and under the bridge was a makeshift fish market where local fishermen bring their morning catch.  Fish and other seafood were sold on bamboo tables under a half dozen of huts.   It was Holy Week and J and her family, like most Cebuanos, observe the no-meat tradition. We were hoping to buy shrimps and crabs for lunch. It was about 7 am when we got here, and I thought we were early. I later learned that most of the action here happens before sunrise.  Most of the seafoods were sold out and fishermen were already taking a break, some were taking a nap, and eating breakfast.

Luckily,  there was still some fresh catch coming in and we were able to bring home shrimps, crabs, oysters and shellfish.  

This reminds me of the early morning walks with my grandmother when I was a kid. My grandparents' house was about a kilometer away from the sea, and Lola (that's how we called our grandmother) would take us kids to the shores early in the morning to wait for fishermen to bring in their catch. And while our grandmother was negotiating with the fisherman, we were busy choosing small squids, shrimps and anchovies for ceviche. And the fishermen didn't charge us for our ceviche ingredients. Ah, it was a gentler time.

Cansaga Bay is an inlet where the mouth of Mactan Channel and Camotes Sea meet.

Linking to

Blue Monday

Monday Mellow Yellows

 Our World-Tuesday