About 100 textile MSMEs, weavers, artisans and designers will converge in Makati next month to tap new markets for Philippine-made fabrics and products, as the local weaving industry seeks to turn traditional crafts into scalable businesses.
The 16th Likhang HABI Market Fair, organized by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, will run from Oct. 9 to 11 at SPACE at One Ayala under the theme “Worth Every Thread.”
The three-day event will showcase traditional fabrics alongside contemporary products designed to expand commercial opportunities for weaving communities across the country.
Products will include inabel from Ilocos, suksok from Aklan and t’nalak from Cotabato, as well as textiles made from traditional fibers such as abaca and pineapple.
HABI president Mia Villanueva said the annual marketplace has helped small weaving enterprises expand their product lines and create jobs for more artisans.
“We’ve witnessed small enterprises with just a handful of products grow into a full-range boutique,” Villanueva said. “We’ve seen a weaver with no background in design start with just one basic item bloom into a serious business that employs many weavers.”
Beyond sales, the fair will host Kwentong Kultura sessions on product development, entrepreneurship, preservation and curation.
It will also feature entries from the 9th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 5th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition, with awarding ceremonies set for Oct. 10 and 11, respectively.
HABI said the annual event aims to preserve Philippine weaving traditions while helping artisans adapt their products, packaging and businesses to contemporary markets.
