Aklan piña, Oton weavers win Visayas honors
WESTERN VISAYAS – Weaving communities and local governments from Aklan and Iloilo took the top Visayas honors at the Galing Likha 2026: Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards in Parañaque City.
Kalibo and Aklan Piña Mantra were named Visayas grand winner, while Oton and the Salngan Livelihood Multi-Purpose Cooperative placed among the Visayas’ top two finalists.
The awards recognize craftsmanship and cultural safeguarding while providing financial support for weaving communities and their enterprises.
The winners were recognized on Nov. 11 at Okada Manila during the Way of the Weave: ASEAN Trade Expo, held from Nov. 10 to 12.
As one of three grand winners representing Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, the Kalibo-Aklan Piña Mantra entry earned a PHP 150,000 grant for community weaving infrastructure and enterprise development.
Aklan’s entries were the Red Pineapple Artcrafts Diagonal Aklan Piña Mantra Haboe Piña and the La Herminia Weaving Industry Haboe Piña Suksok.
Aklan piña handloom weaving, which uses fibers extracted from pineapple leaves, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.
Oton and the Salngan cooperative received a PHP 75,000 cash grant as a Visayas top two finalist.
Other Iloilo entries showcased at the expo included Iloilo City with Arevalo Handwoven Products and Tigbauan with Gracias Handwoven Products Manufacturing.
Badiangan was represented with the Cabayogan Women Loom Weavers Association, while Miagao participated with Indag-an Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 acting director Mutya D. Eusores praised the work of weaving communities and their partners.
“Our weaving industry is a vibrant testament to the strength, artistry, and resilience that connect Western Visayas communities. Backed by the unwavering support of our local government units and stakeholders, we are turning living heritage into thriving, sustainable livelihoods. Together, we keep this timeless craft woven into our region’s future,” Eusores said.
The awards recognize excellence in Philippine weaving, cultural safeguarding, sustainability and market readiness.
DTI is among the organizing and supporting agencies, together with the Philippine Commission on Women, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Galing Pook Foundation and Women’s Business Council Philippines.
The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Textile Research Institute and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines are also among the partners.
DTI said its provincial offices continue to assist weaving enterprises with business development, market readiness and international product promotion.
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