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History weaving
This I s the place where the past is always present. Talking to the weavers here will give you a glimpse of
the golden years of Iloilo City.
The Arevalo Sinamay House is owned by Mrs. Cecilia Gison Villanueva. It was established in
the late nineteenth century by her great grandfather, Captain Victorino Chavez, this “home
industry” still operates today. The business and building were handed down by Captain
Victorino to his son, Cornelio, and in turn was taken over by Cornelio’s daughter, Mrs.
Rosario Chavez Gison. And in 1958, Cecilia Villanueva, the second child of Rosario, inherited
the business and the house. During its early years, the weaving activity were done in the
family’s house in Arevalo, Iloilo City. Now, known as the Sinamay House. However, in the
1990’s Cecilia decided that the weavers work in their respective houses. This too was an
advantage for the workers because they could both tend their household as well as earn for
a living. With the arrangement, Cecilia provides the fibers/thread and decides what items to
weave. After which, the finished products will be sold back to her. Now, Mrs. Villanueva
maintains ten weavers, some of them are the grandd\aughters of her mothers’ weavers.
The house also has the old weaving machine which until this day functions. It is located on
the ground floor of the house together with the vintage car that was used by the family until
the early of 1990’s. The oldest between the house and the business is difficult to ascertain
but both are living legacies not only of the Villanueva family but also of us Ilonggos. It’s also
where you can find Mama’s Kitchen cookies which are made on a typically Ilonggo grown
products. Visit the house at 16 Osmeña Street Arevalo, Iloilo City. Feel and see the old time
architecture and Iloilo’s textile industry.
http://www.thenewstoday.info/2005/10/07/arevalo.sinamay.house.html