Habi Pop-Up of Culture Fair Features Indigenous fabric weaving, artisanal crafts keeping Filipino tradition alive at Shangri-La Plaza

Habi Pop Up of Culture Fair at the Shang

Shangri-La Plaza’s month-long celebration of championing the Filipino arts and culture concludes by featuring the value of the country’s local weaving traditions. The country’s top dining and fashion destination, Shangri-La Plaza mall hosts its first ever HABI Pop-Up of Culture fair slated from June 28 to 30, 2019 at the Grand Atrium, Main Mall which will also highlight live weaving sessions as well as talks about the preservation of Filipino heritage.

Organized by the non-profit organization HABI: The Philippine Textile Council that works to preserve, promote, and enhance Philippine textiles education, communication, and research to sustain weaving communities all over the country. 

A local woman weaves

Mall guests will get the chance to witness a live mat banig weaving by Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association, back strap loom by Narda’s Handwoven Arts & Crafts as well as floor weaving by Evelinda Yaken. 

Woven handbags

Local accessories are up for sale

 Experimental designer Twinkle Ferraren takes the stage on June 29 for the Style Isle Weaving Interactive Workshop for those who would like to know the basics in local textile. Ferraren creates ethically sourced and sustainably made fashionable wearables, textiles and accessories. Meanwhile, Nate Legaspi will be giving the basics on how to read ancient script Baybayin also on the same date.

Fashion designer Ditta Sandico will also give a talk on embracing sustainable designs to help the fashion industry using local natural fibers in design aesthetics on the said fair’s last day, June 30^th.  

The said fair also exhibits T’boli watercolor paintings by chef and artist Claude Tayag. Local weaving brands Ylocos Heritage promotes inabel Iloko and Lokal Home + Art + Fashion that advocates contemporary products using Sagada and Abra fabrics. Abre Linea with Haiyan-ravaged communities in Leyte and Samar works on Woven Crafts that celebrates paraglara or banig weavers working inside the Saob Cave in Basey, Samar. 

Chef and artist Claude Tayag has put up his small exhibit

One of Claude Tayag's masterpiece in watercolor of a T'boli woman

Indak Lahi Dance Troupe also showcased some folk dance performances during the fair's opening. Here's a glimpse of their special performance:

Special performances by Indak Lahi Dance Troupe

Indak Lahi Dance Troupe

Spotted shopping was former Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz

Crocheted crafts are also available

Habi Fair also features Minadanaoan based brands like Tagolwanen Handwoven from Tagolwanen tribe, women of Malaybalay, Bukidnon and Syle Isle that produces patches and charms from upcycled abaca-fabrics as well as brands jewelry from the T’boli tribe.

Other must-see and must-buy items are Mildivas for its hand-crocheted items made from local yarn, Pnay brand which transforms hand-woven indigenous fabrics into everyday contemporary wear and Melgrano for its handwoven footwear.

 Come and visit Havi Pop-up Fair at #LIKHAatTheShang and together we celebrate the Filipino artistry.