“The tickling sound and the synchronized beat that constantly passing our ears excites us even more.”

Our little adventure in the Province of Abra, Philippines had also paved way of meeting the people of Bulbulala, a village in the town of La Paz, known for its high quality textile. The over a thousand dwellers have been skillful in loom weaving and literally found half of their lives in this craft.

Transforming the Weaving Tradition into Business

Ms. Natividad Quiday was among those who benefited from the industry. The skills have been passed through generations until she and her husband decided to take a big leap. Through the help of the government, they established “Leila’s Loom Weaving” which is now employing fifty regular weavers and some others who weave at their houses and sell to them.

Upon realizing the potential of their products, the Quidays decided to leave their comfort zone, learned marketing, joined city bazaars and fortunately met various designers who become their regular buyers.

However, it did not happen in a finger’s snap. Natividad told about her single machine and a nipa hut as the weaving space when they were just starting.

“Noong nagsisimula po ako iisa lang po, nung makita ng mga kababaihan na maganda itong hanapbuhay na-eenganyo na rin po sila. Bumubuo po kami ng association namin ung Bulbulala Farmers and Long Weavers Association.” (“When I was just starting, I only had one machine. When women of the village saw the opportunity to earn from weaving, they decided to join. We then founded the Bulbalala Farmers and Long Weavers Association.”)

Weaving industry has boomed since then. However, she admitted that weavers were merely earning enough. It is good enough for buying food, sending their children to school, and for other basic necessities.

“Sa ngayon halos dirediretso ang ano walang tigil ung mga bumibili saka ung mga umo- order po, kaya walang masabing mahina ang weaving, tuloy- tuloy lang. Mga designer yun po ang ginagamit nila, halos puro designer po ang bumibili samin.” (“Now, there are non-stop orders coming from our regular customers, so it’s hard to say that weaving is losing its potential; it’s continuously operating. Most of our buyers are Designers.”)

Loom weaving for the Children’s Education

Most of the women have chosen the craft of weaving so they can stay with their families while earning for a living. One of them was a former house maid, Asuncion Adora who is now 70 years old. She also grew up in Bulbulala and learned weaving when she was only fifteen years old. Her mother was also a weaver, and as the eldest she accompanied her and eventually learned the craft.

During Asuncion’s adolescence, the status of the weaving industry could not sustain the family needs. Her other option was the farm work, yet she took the opportunity to serve as a house helper in the city since she did not even finish primary school.

She was a helper for a long time and just decided to return in the province upon getting the news that weaving industry soars high.

From thirty pesos (around 60 cents USD), the one roll of thread to make a comforter is now 2,500 pesos (more than 50 USD). Asuncion can finish a comforter for about two weeks.

“Talagang ito na ang hinahiligan ko kasi ano naman ang hahanapin ko na ibang trabaho, anong gagawin ko wala naman, ito lang habi.” (“This is the only work I really wanted. There is no other job that I can look for aside from weaving.”).

Asuncion did not get a chance to have her own family, but she had an adopted daughter who just graduated in College and took a board exam when we did the interview last October 2019. She was proud of telling us that her hard work in weaving has finally paid-off when her child finished her education which she never experienced before.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Aling Naty dahil meron itong hanap-buhay namin na habi, mabubuhay ka sa habi.” (“I am grateful to Naty that she initiated this weaving industry as a source of income in our place.”)

Today, loom weaving is not just intended for women or mothers. Everyone in their village has learned the craft. The fathers who were born as farmers were now adept weavers and children are also beginning to master the weaving as their hobby. When the right age comes, they might be among those you can meet in local trading fairs, or even internationally who are proudly presenting their humble community’s brand of arts—weaving products.

Watch our short documentary, Habi (Weave).

Written by Ricca Joice Adrada