Local designers in Miagao turn hablon ‘retazos’ into fashionable dolls

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

Photos from Miagao LGU Facebook page

Ten home-grown designers of Miagao town in Iloilo province made good use of “retazos” or remnants of Hablon textile by turning them into fashionable doll gowns in the first ever “Retazo Hablon sa Monyeka Contest” recently.

The on-the-spot contest for local designers was part of the celebration of the municipality’s 6th Hablon Festival 2019.

Miagao Municipal Tourism Officer, Anthony Selorio said the activity is part of their thrust to conserve the town’s pride textile, Hablon.

“Part of conservation sa hablon kay gamay lang siya, imbes na himuon mo trapo, we can make it as useful sa simple way nga in the long run can be a source of livelihood,” he said.

At the same time, the competition was also meant to enlighten the local designers on the importance of Hablon, Selorio added.

According to Selorio, they are looking into creating a market for the products or the dolls dressed in Hablon by using it as a token for dignitaries who visit their town.

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“Ginapush through ta ang market nga kung pwede mangin token sila for dignitaries who visit Miagao, para mainform sila sang amo ni nga mga products nga aton ginapabugal,” he added.

Selorio revealed the competition was among the many innovations that were introduced in the sixth year of the town’s Hablon Festival.

Other innovations include a symposium on “Revisiting the Natural Dyeing of Hablon Fabric”, composo and binalaybay contest, and trail run.

“The Hablon Festival is a tribute for our weavers where we highlight and showcase the hablon designs and products. We are inviting everyone to come and join us in our celebration,” he said.

The 6th Hablon Festival with a theme, “Miagao Hablon: Sadsaran sang Paghidait kag Pagulikid sa Banwa” will run until September 6, 2019.

The festival will cap off with a special night dedicated to the weavers, entitled “Pasundayag: Hablon, Desinyo, Estilo, Showcasing the Best Designs for Hablon”.