Weaving Legacy; A Waving Goodbye

Sarok is a conical handmade hat made from bamboo strips and dried banana leaves. The materials are
local and native that can be found in nature. It is weaved manually by hand. Sarok was made by farmers
in the early 1920s to protect themselves from the scorching heat of the sun and also from the cold rain
when they are doing farm works.

The creation of a Sarok hat is a meticulous process that demands skilled craftsmanship and attention to
detail. The artisans carefully select the materials, primarily banana leaves and bamboo strips, for their
durability and flexibility. The banana leaves are chosen for their large size and strength, while bamboo
sticks serve as the framework for the conical structure. With precise measurements, the artisans
skillfully weave and secure the leaves onto the bamboo framework, ensuring a snug fit and stability.

Weaving in the Making

Seventy-Three year old, Angeloria Iguis Domingo from baranggay Biga-a, Malinao is known as one of the
sarok makers in Aklan. She learned the handcraft through her Parents and Grandmother.

“ Nagbuoe man ako it maintok nga banban ag akon man nga gintun-an ”

Lola Angeloria said that making one sarok entails many steps that you will do manually. According to
her, a craftsman should be patient and diligent because the weaving process usually takes her one day
to complete one sarok.

“Halin it gaugis na kiskisan tapos bugayon pipison ag gaeaon eun dayon, likungon, butangan euman it
butong ag hulipon tapos it hulip, butangan it atop ag butangan euman it palibot nga butong nga gin
haeutan"

According to Lola Angeloria, Sarok are in demand during the holidays from December to January but
customers also order from her year-round. Her creations have further reached across the whole
Philippines. In fact, recently she was commissioned to make a sarok for the Binibining Pilipinas candidate
of Aklan for her national costume in the said pageant.

Beginning of the End

However, Lola Angeloria worries that the sarok weaving industry may not progress because most of the
youth, are not very interested to learn the skill of weaving and because of its complicated steps. Also,
one of the hardest part of being a sarok maker is tiredness from crafting and selling.

“Indi mo mapresyuhan it mataas kasi ro naisip it tawo hay ‘ay sarok malang ron’ Bukon sanda it aware sa
process it pag obra ”.

Lola Angeloria is just one of the sarok makers that aims to preserve the industry from vanishing. Sarok
stands as a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship, resourcefulness, and cultural significance of
traditional handmade artifacts. From its humble beginnings as a protective headwear, the Sarok has
evolved into an emblem of cultural identity and an exquisite piece of wearable art. Its enduring appeal
in contemporary times is a testament to the timeless allure of authentic craftsmanship and the ability of
cultural heritage to inspire and captivate generations