EASTERN VISAYAS

An agricultural region, Eastern Visayas produces different kinds of crops, from rice to coconut
to sugarcane. But the fertile soil and vast greenery not only feed communities but also help locals
enrich the traditional arts of Visayas. From mats weaved from plant materials to ceramic products
made from certain types of clay, you’ll discover native goods worth taking with you after your trip to
each of the three islands of Region VIII.
1. Samar
A grass called tikog is abundant in this province. You may not be familiar with this raw
material, but you surely know its popular by-product: banig or sleeping mat. When you go to Samar,
especially in September, you'll catch the Banigan Festival (also known as Kawayan-Banigan
Festival) at Basey, a celebration of the province’s dynamic mat-weaving industry.
The dance parade features performers adorned in different banig-inspired costumes, a blend
of two different folk arts of Visayas in one event. There are also pocket events showcasing artisans’
banig creations.
2. Leyte
Similar to Samar, you can expect tikog crafts in this province. If ever you miss buying the
famous banig in Samar, you can shop around in Leyte. But aside from sleeping mats, you can buy
uniquely-designed rattan and bamboo goods here. What makes them extra special is that they’re
crafted by the hardworking hands of indigenous people, such as the Mamanwa tribe in Southern
Leyte. These IPs are one of the pillars of the arts and crafts in Visayas.
There are also native goods that reflect the resilience of the community in Leyte. When the
province was struck by Yolanda, the worst typhoon in the country’s history, artisans nonetheless
found strength and inspiration for their art. For instance, there were Yolanterns (Yolanda lanterns),
hand-cut, hand-carved coconut shell adornments, as well as rosary beads crafted from wood debris
left by the typhoon.
3. Biliran
The town of Naval in Biliran is famous for its vibrant mat-weaving industry, led by the
Higatangan Mat Weavers. Visit Biliran in May, in time for the Higatangan Island Festival, so you
can catch these colorful mats in fairs and fully appreciate this piece of art of Visayas. In 2019, 5,000
people joined the celebration and witnessed the mat weaving expertise of the artisans.
Aside from mats, the province also has skilled craftsmen who make different kinds of ceramic
products. The entire island of Maripipi, for instance, has an abundance of kaolin, a type of clay ideal
for pots. For this reason, many communities on the island produce clay pots, flowerpots, and jars,
among other ceramic goods.

WESTERN VISAYAS
Famous for its indigenous fiber production, Region VI is the place to be when you’re looking for
high-quality textiles. They come in different colors and patterns, making them ideal travel souvenirs
and home decors. Going to the local neighborhoods, you’ll not only find these goods, but also the
very weaving communities that help preserve the vibrancy of the arts and crafts in Visayas.
Some of the provinces organize different festivals to showcase products. That’s why when
visiting the region, it’s best to time it on days when districts come together for a celebration. Here are
the specific arts and crafts items you’ll find in different Western Visayan provinces:
1. Panay
One of the popular woven products you’ll find in Antique is the patadyong. Usually made from
cotton and abaca, this tube-like wraparound garment can be worn in different ways, much like the
malong. It can be a stylish skirt or a big shawl. It usually bears a checkered design crafted with bright
hues.
Meanwhile, in Iloilo, locals take pride in their hablon, a plain weave that has a plaid design.
While it’s used in patadyong, it’s also common in locally-made panuelo or handkerchiefs. On the
other hand, the most popular arts and crafts of Aklan typically use piña. Pineapple leaves have two
kinds of fibers: the bastos (rough portion) and the liniwan (smooth one). Artisans use a shard of
Chinese porcelain to expose the bastos and then a coconut shell to bring out the liniwan. Piña is
commonly used in barong tagalog.
2. Negros
Sinamay, a material woven from abaca fiber, has long been a popular textile in Visayas,
specifically the Negros Island. This cloth can be used in different products, from outfit accessories
such as hats and home decor items, like storage boxes and placemats. In each of the provinces on
the island, however, you’ll discover unique handicrafts.
For instance, in Dumaguete, there’s a group of artisans focusing on crafting rocks and
stones into vases, wall art, jewelry boxes, dining ware, and picture frames, among other home
ornaments. The Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage carves mosaic-like patterns into these rocks
before polishing.
In Bacolod, the festive masks represent the arts of Visayas. These are a hit especially during
the Masskara Festival held during the fourth Sunday of October. The masks typically have smiling
faces, true to the city’s nickname: City of Smiles.

CENTRAL VISAYAS
This region may be marked by highly urbanized cities, but the heritage of handicrafts remains
vibrant in communities in Central Visayas. From bamboo to coconut products, there are plenty of
traditional crafts from these areas.
Small towns especially stay true to the tradition of educating younger generations about folk
arts, so these are the ones worth including in your trip if you want to score good native finds and get
an idea of how it’s made. There are some sold in popular markets, too, so you shouldn’t have trouble
finding the arts and crafts even when you’re traveling alone.
1. Cebu
What else are the traditional arts and crafts of Visayas? Well, Cebuanos have their own
version of weaved baskets, locally known as bakat. Made of bamboo strips, the native craft is put
together by hand, forming lattice patterns. Uniquely designed, it boasts of a hexagonal shape.
Believe it or not, bakat baskets have been in Cebu even during pre-colonial times. Natives
and Chinese traders use it to store farm produce during harvest. From then to now, it’s part and
parcel of Cebuano culture.
2. Siquijor
If you're on the lookout for coconut handicrafts to add to your home decor or perhaps, cutlery
set, then Siquijor is the place to be. The province has several artisans specializing in carving
coconut wood.
The raw material has played such a big role in the traditional arts and crafts scene that one
town in the province called Maria celebrates the Lubi (coconut) Festival, a thanksgiving feast in
honor of the patron saint, Our Lady of Divine Providence. The festival dances depict the importance
of the crop to the life of the townspeople.
3. Bohol
Aside from the Chocolate Hills, Bohol is famous for its expertly-weaved baskets, which are
notably from different raw materials. Bamboo, rattan, wicker, sig-id, or buri, you name it, they have
it, specifically the municipality of Antequera. The town isn’t named the “Basket Capital of Bohol”
for no reason. The traditional art of weaving is passed from generation to generation in the
communities here.
Antequera celebrates the Basket Festival every March. Visit Bohol around this time, so you
can catch a momentous celebration of the vibrant arts and crafts of Visayas.
Indigenous Creative Crafts of the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).
These regions in the Philippines are rich in cultural heritage, and their crafts reflect the artistry,
traditions, and resourcefulness of the local communities.
Ilocos Region:
1. Inabel Weaving (Abel Iloco):
o Inabel is a handwoven fabric created by skilled artisans using traditional wooden looms.
It comes in various patterns inspired by nature.
o One recognizable pattern is Binakol, which features intricate designs.
2. Burnay Pottery:
o Locally known as tapayan or banga, burnay is an earthenware jar crafted by skilled
potters.
o It is used for storing water, grains, fermented fish (bagoong), sugarcane wine (basi),
salt, and other condiments.
o Burnay jars have small openings, while those with larger mouths are called wangging.
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR):
1. Bul’ul Sculptures:
o Also known as bul-ul or tinagtaggu, these wooden sculptures represent the rice
granary spirits that guard the rice crops of the Ifugao people.
2. Basketry and Textiles:
o The Igorots in the Cordillera region is known for their intricate basketry and textiles.
o These textiles often feature designs with cultural meanings.
3. Tattooing as Self-Expression:
o Tattooing is an important form of self-expression among the indigenous communities in
CAR.

Indigenous Creative Crafts from Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. These regions in the
Philippines are rich in cultural heritage, and their traditional crafts reflect the unique identity and
creativity of the local communities.
Cagayan Valley:
1. Vakul: A distinctive headgear worn by girls in Cagayan Valley. It is intricately woven from reeds
or rattan and serves as protection against the sun and rain. The vakul is an iconic symbol of
the region’s craftsmanship and practicality.
2. Gaddang Textiles: The Gaddangs, particularly in Nueva Vizcaya, are skilled weavers. They
create beautiful textiles using traditional techniques. One notable item is the bakwat, a belt
worn by mothers after giving birth.
3. Woodcarving: The woodcarving tradition in Sta. Ursula, Pampanga, showcases intricate
designs and patterns. Skilled artisans carve wooden objects, creating functional and
decorative pieces.
Central Luzon:
1. Banga Dance: Originating from the province of Tarlac, the Banga Dance features women
gracefully balancing clay pots (bangas) on their heads. This dance celebrates the daily life of
women who fetch water from rivers using these pots.
2. Giant Lanterns (Parol): Pampanga is renowned for its giant lanterns, especially during the
Christmas season. These colorful and elaborate lanterns illuminate the streets and symbolize
joy and unity.
3. Ilocos Pottery: The Ilocos region produces exquisite pottery. Marinduque ceramics and
Romblon marble crafts are also notable. These artisans create functional vessels and
decorative pieces using traditional techniques.
History Of Mindanao
When it comes to textiles and tapestries, nothing quite comes close to those that originate from
Mindanao. The Philippines’ south is home to a lot of tribes, hence, making the ethnic diversity of the
region very prevalent. It’s high time we give the contributions of Mindanao to our national identity the
recognition they deserve.
In terms of art, textile, and tapestries, you can certainly find a lot in the region – each of them having
different purposes and meaning, significant to the culture and way of living of the tribes they are from.
An example of which is the malong, which has a variety of uses including being a hammock, a table
cloth, or a bedspread. Most importantly, this piece of fabric is incorporated in the lives of specific
ethnic groups, having the tradition of wrapping a newborn with malong, wearing it as daily clothing,
and wrapping a corpse with it as well.

The Evolution of Weaves

Renowned designer, Renee Salud, aimed to showcase just how beautiful Mindanao is. They
advocate for the use of indigenous materials in fashion shows, with exhibits all around the globe
including Tokyo, Taipei, Seville, and Caribbean.
Their neo-ethnic collection also makes use of the beadwork and native textiles to make pieces that
are representative of Mindanao art. Despite not being a native of the island, they still yearn to
preserve the works that are so significant to it. With their creativity and passion, the world got to see a
glimpse of Zamboanga, Bukidnon, T’boli, Manobo, and Maranao.

Types of Textiles from Ethnic Groups

The last time I saw examples of tapestries and textiles from ethnic groups was in elementary in a
Sibika book. Such works are rarely featured in mainstream media, and it is so important that we get to
witness and learn about a huge part of Mindanao’s culture as much as we marvel at classic artists
from Luzon and their chosen art forms.
The B’laan focuses on embroidery, beadwork, and brass ornaments. Women wear brass belts with
small bells draped around the waistline as part of their culture. One practice originating from them is
ikat, which is the process of tightly wrapping yarns with strings which are dyed before weaving.
The T’boli from Cotabato also make clothes from a special textile with abaca fibers called t’nalak.
Each pattern is different, all being just mesmerizing. For the T’bolis, weavers believe that gods and
their ancestors visit them in their dreams to teach them what designs and patterns are to be woven.
The culture and background of Mindanao truly is unique and unmissable. With goals similar to Renee
Salud accompanied with the effort in making sure that their people and their works are heard of, we
will be able to showcase its wonders directly given by the hands and history of the people in
Mindanao.

Maranao Arts and Crafts | Lanao del Sur’s Living Traditions

Lanao del Sur is a wealth of old-world charms. From ostentatious royal houses to the tiniest detail in
their gongs, Maranao arts and crafts carry the stories of its vibrant culture.
Lanao del Sur is the homeland of the Maranao people. And it is also a universe of exquisite folk art.
Everywhere you look around there’s always a reminder of how art thrives amidst its episodes of
struggles.
While many people are quick to identify these works as Muslim art, a lot of it actually predates Islam.
In fact, when these Muslim missionaries arrived in Lanao in the 15th century, a vibrant art scene
already existed mostly of mixed indigenous & Indic origins.

Tugaya: The Artisans’ Heartland

When it comes to Maranao arts and crafts, Tugaya is the ground zero of it all. It is thought that there’s
an artisan in every home in this lakeside community. And walking around town, it isn’t truly hard to
spot someone working on a piece.
Tugaya is famous for many crafty things — chests, drums, gongs & tapestries. They work with
various materials too like wood, brass, bamboo, plastic beads & abaca fiber. The truth is, most of
what’s sold in many markets around the country are from this small town of artisans.
“Baur” or wooden chests are among the best pieces produced here. Unlike other chests, the Maranao
baur is handcarved with intricate okir motifs & inlayed with “tipay” or polished shells. Also,
Tugayanons are the best-known makers of metalcrafts. The “gadur” or brass jars, tabak or brass
serving trays & the “kampilan” or swords are among their masterpieces.
However, Tugaya still looms as a nominated site in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
While we know it’s a long process, it’s taking way too long ‘til it’s forgotten.

Pualas & the Masters of the Loom

Maranao arts and crafts are unrecognizable without mentioning the “malong”, an important part of
their traditional clothing. Malong is a wrap-around garment worn by everyone. There’s one for
everyday wear. Then there are more for special occasions called “landap”.
What makes the “landap” extra ordinary are the handwoven trimmings called the “langkit”. However,
not many know it, the best backstrap loom weavers of langkit are in the town of Pualas. It’s literally a
backyard industry where women weave these complex fabrics at home.
Pualas Mayor Paul Tanog emphasizes the growth of the “inged” or community. Langkit weaving is one
of his supported programs for its livelihood impact. But most importantly because these weavers are
the bearers of their time-honored artistry.

Kulintangan: A Music & Visual Ensemble

The kulintangan is an ensemble of musical instruments. The “kulintang” or small melodically arranged
gongs, the “agung” or big gongs as well as a set of drums called “debakan” usually make up the
assemblage.
But apart from being musical instruments, it also carries decorative designs intricately carved or
engraved on it.

Okir: Unifying Maranao Arts and Crafts

Traditional Maranao arts and crafts is a rich collection. And the “okir” is the design element that brings
together all of its folk art into one cohesive visual extravaganza. Okir is a set of leaf, fern or vine motif
expressed in most of its art.
Whether in woodworks or metalcrafts, okir is a prominent design. Their handwoven fabrics as well as
architecture heavily use it too. And whether it’s sculpted, painted, woven or engraved, okir stays as its
strongest & most distinguishable aesthetic.

The Tausug Ancient Arts and Crafts Face Extinction

The Tausug people is a wonderful race. It pioneers many interesting innovations in their lifetime.
Though most of the arts and crafts are now fast disappearing in the modern world, there are still
vestiges of hope that some will be resurrected and preserved.
The Tausug people are the Masters of the Sea. Thus, they have perfected the craft of boat-making.
One place in Indanan, near Buwansa, has been called "Kahadjian" because of the story of an
ancient family who went to Mecca using the boat they had built. The whole family returned home a
whole year later.
The story above also confirms that the Tausug people are seafarers and great navigators, guided only
by stars.

Then, we had also grinders for both Rice and Sugar cane, distinct from each other. Thus, we had
commodities before of crude sugar and "Tapung". The grinders that we had before were maybe
crude, but they were the best that we had. Because of them, we were able to supply the world market
for "Tirigu" and Sukal.
One of the ancient crafts that is still existing today is the Hablun-making. The device in making
Hablun is a little bit complicated for the uninitiated. The Tausug has this "Tukud-tukud" for the
Hablun industry:
"Luwrun, tukarun, pag-uwi sumbayi'un."
There are also other groups who still specializes in boat-making, though the industry does not attain
the modern industry standards, especially on mass productions.
And then, there are also few smiths who are still adept in ancient weapon-making techniques.

The Art of Yakan: Weaving the Old History in the Modern Times
Yakan Weaving Village in Zamboanga City
The famous Yakan Weaving Village in Upper Calarian in Zamboanga City is the village where the
Yakan tribe lives. The merchandising area of the village that visitors first see is a collection of stalls
selling handwoven Yakan weavings using traditional weaving techniques. Further inside is a flight of
stairs that leads to the weaving station where visitors can watch the weavers at work. The handwoven
products are famous for the use of bold colors and intricate geometric patterns.
The village is more than a place to buy Yakan products. It is the proof of the resilience of the Yakan
tribe against the escalating violence in their hometown, of pride in their culture at times when tradition
is left behind, and of hope for the future of the next generation.
The Yakans are one of the indigenous groups that first settled in the Basilan Islands where the
traditional weaving first started. Because of the political unrest that led to armed conflicts between the
militant Muslims and government soldiers in the 70s and the 90s, the community had to flee and took
refuge in Zamboanga City.
Traditionally, the weaving technique used fibers converted from pineapple and abaca plants as
weaving material. The fabrics were then dyed using extracts from leaves, roots, and barks. Influence
from Christian Filipinos and the American Peace Corps and the increasing popularity of visitors from
the Philippines and other countries brought changes to the process of weaving. For economic
reasons and better customer experience, weavers started making other handwoven products using
chemical dyes.
Tennun is the weaving tapestry tradition of the Yakans and they are now being used to make shoes,
bags, wallets, pillowcases, placemats, and table runners. New designs and patterns emerged like
kenna-kenna, designed after a fish, palipattang, designed after a rainbow, bunga-sama, designed
after a snake, dawen-dawen, designed after the leaf of a vine, pene Mata-Mata, designed after the
shape of an eye and the kabang buddi, the diamond-shaped pattern. Despite the established patterns
that the weavers use and the set of colors assigned per product, no two handwoven products look the
same.