9th Likhang Habi Market Fair: Threads We Love, Threads that Bind Us

In terms of textile production, Philippines is one of the first in the Asean region, and I believe that our textile is one of the best in the world.  It's just sad to know that as years pass by, local weavers are decreasing and synthetic textiles are getting popular. With regard to quality and design, I know that our textiles are excellently done. I'm happy that one group, HABI the Philippine Textile Council, was formed to preserve and promote Philippine textiles.

I'm so amazed with these people sharing their time to help our textile industry and help individuals in provinces to learn how to weave that is to help them earn for a living and promote our the local textile as well. Filipinos are known to be creative and hardworking, which is a big factor in preserving and promoting this industry.

HABI: The Philippine Textile Council will be having their annual Likhang Habi Market celebrating its 9th yer. You're all invited to come on October 11 t 13 at the Glorietta 3 Activity in Makati City.

With the theme The Highlights of our HABI Journey, this year's edtion of the pioneer in artisan market fairs and textile advocacy promises to be an immerse experience. 

3-day Fair will feature:

• HABI Craft Corner - visitors can learn the basics of weaving using pure Philippine cloth and other natural local fibers, and create their own woven products.
• Community Craft Loom - HABI goers can participate and learn modern weaving using different materials, textures, colors, and weaving techniques. 
• Workshops on macramé, the art of knotting.

In keeping with its goals of promoting Filipino culture and heritage, the Likhang HABI Market Fair will also have a Baybayin wotkshop with lessons on writing and understanding the pre-colonial ancient writing script of the Philippines. Cultural dance performances, traditional Filipino music from different regions of the country, and Filipino art installations will also be part of the fair. 

"We encourage Likhang HABI fairgoers to immerse themselves in the beautiful weaving communities and traditional textiles of our country," says HABI Chair Maribel Ongpin. "We still have participating weavers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao so the opportunity to learn at the fair is endless."

With 52 participating merchants from all over the Philippines, the 9th Likhang HABI Market Fair will showcase sustainable and ethical fashion and other lifestyle products using traditional textiles such as habol negrense from Negros Occidental, yakal from Basilan, inaul from Maguindanao, binubudan from Ifugao, binakol and abel from Ilocos, `tepina from Palawan, and many more. 

Several merchants will also present contemporary Filipino fabrics such as cotton, ikat and cotton abaca, a result of combining pure Philippine cotton with other indigenous fabrics. Promoting the use of pure Philippine cotton is one of the long-term commitments of HABI. 

"There is an abundance of beautiful fabrics in the Philippines and we want to show that these fabrics from different corners of the Philippines can be part of our modern lifestyle," says HABI President Adelaida Lim.

Another highlight of the fair is the awarding of the 2nd Lourdes Montinola Piña Prize, which recognizes exceptional craftsmanship and mastery of the delicate process of the turning pineapple threads into works of art. 

Likhang HABI Market Fair 2019 will also feature a talk on  sustainable shoemaking and why it is important to support the local shoemaking industry. 

Since 2009, HABI has been providing traditional weavers and local weaving communities a platform to further enhance their skills in creative design and modern marketing and exchanging ideas with consumers, designers, and traders. The Likhang HABI Market Fair allows them to innovate and to level up to modern trends.

For more information, please visit www.habitextilecouncil.ph or follow www.facebook.com/HabiThePhilTextileCouncil and Instagram @habifair.