Ag-abel: Live Weaving Demonstration at Habing Katutubo 2025
- Ernst June Camilo Agbayani
- Jan 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 8
Ag-abel: Live Weaving Demonstration, held on the afternoon of November 30, 2025, offered a rare, immersive encounter with living textile traditions at Habing Katutubo 2025, staged at the SMX Convention Center Aura. Designed as an educational and experiential segment, Ag-abel brought weaving out of the margins and into the public eye—centering the hands, knowledge, and stories of Indigenous weavers.
Weaving as Living Knowledge
Ag-abel foregrounded weaving as a living practice—one that carries history, cosmology, and community values. Visitors witnessed the deliberate rhythm of loom work, from thread preparation to pattern formation, gaining a deeper appreciation of the time, skill, and cultural meaning embedded in every textile. The demonstration reinforced Habing Katutubo’s advocacy for ethical fashion rooted in respect for source communities and processes.
Cordillera and Yakan Weavers on the Loom
The live demonstration featured Buley Pengwiyen Mara, a Cordillera weaver, and Evelinda Otong, a Yakan weaver—each presenting distinct techniques, materials, and motifs reflective of their respective cultural contexts. Their presence highlighted the diversity of Philippine Indigenous weaving traditions while affirming the shared values of patience, precision, and ancestral continuity.
Through open interaction with the audience, the weavers explained symbolism, pattern logic, and the cultural occasions tied to specific textiles—transforming the space into a learning circle where tradition was actively transmitted.
Photos by: Photo Outlet 88
Education, Respect, and Cultural Sustainability
Ag-abel emphasized that weaving is not merely a craft to be consumed, but a knowledge system to be protected. By situating weavers at the center of the conversation, the segment challenged extractive narratives and instead promoted fair recognition, proper attribution, and sustainable livelihood pathways for Indigenous artisans.
Bridging Craft and Contemporary Design
As part of Habing Katutubo 2025’s broader programming, Ag-abel complemented the fashion runways and dialogues by grounding design in process. It reminded audiences—designers, students, and consumers alike—that contemporary Indigenous fashion begins with the loom, the land, and the people who keep these traditions alive.
Ag-abel: Live Weaving Demonstration stood as a quiet yet powerful segment—where culture was not displayed, but practiced; not narrated, but woven—thread by thread, story by story.
Photos by: Kilo Serrano Portrait Photography
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