By Marjune N. Muzones
Weavers of Brgy. Indag-an, Miagao recently introduced new products such as Hablon Face Masks and Hand-painted Shawls to innovate and foster recovery.
Indag-an Primary Multipurpose Cooperative (IPMPC) is one of the weaving centers affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, suffering significant losses in sales and visits from local and foreign tourists.
“Sige-sige ang habol diri sa Coop para indi madulaan sang pangabuhian ang mga manughabol. Sang August lang gid nag amat-amat balik ang mga bisita kag mga orders. Naisipan namun nga maghimo sang face masks kag hand-painted shawls para mag-innovate kag makabawi,” IPMPC Manager Anilene Tijing said.
Some of the shawls left in their stockpile were converted into plain and intricately designed face masks with prices ranging from Php100 to Php150 per piece while others were hand-painted with floral designs and sold at Php 600 to Php 700 apiece.
“Nalipay ko kag na-excite nga ako ang napilian magpinta kang mga shawls, ang nag commission sa akon amo ang ila Board of Directors (BOD) Vice Chairman Marjorie Segurigan. Ang pag pinta sa shawls nakabulig sa akon nga ma-explore pa ang akon talent sa pagpinta sa iba naman nga medium kag financially man kay maka ganar ako kwarta depende sa kung pila ang akon mapintahan,” according to Johnrod Fermocillo, SK Chairman of Indag-an and the artist who made the designs.
Fermocillo also cited the importance of the youth’s role in creative innovation and preservation to further promote Hablon in the global stage.
“Bilang isa ka pamatan-on ako naga suporta gd sa pag panami kg pagpreserbar sang industriya sang Hablon. Mapreserbar ini paagi sa pag tudlo sa mga ulihing-tubo sang proseso sini, kag dapat ini dedikaran sang mga kabataan agod hindi madula ang hablon,” Fermocillo added.
Aside from these initiatives, IMPC is planning to add more designs to the shawls and revive the weaving of pure cotton fabrics.
“Plano namon nga ibalik ang paghabol sang pure cotton nga tela kay ga amat-amat na ini dula kag dako ang demand. Dugangan man namon ang mga disenyo sang hand-painted shawls agud ma-feature ang mga tourist spots diri sa Miagao,” Tijing said.
The weaving center also turned online in promoting the products as perfect gifts this holiday season, hoping to recover even further before the year ends.
