Neo Ethnic Fabrics of the Philippines

Being a member of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), one of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) bureaus, I found it amusing to witness how the traditional and ethnic fabrics evolved to modern designs and patterns using the same hand loom weaving machine during our project evaluation in the Ilocos region.
Yarns used by the weaving communities are blends of cotton with abaca (Manila Hemp) and maguey which are endemic to the Philippines.
This will be a great discovery for fashion and industrial designers as they can now explore and use local fabrics for their production of finished goods, unexpectedly at very cheap prices for handwoven fabrics. You may avail of huge discounts on orders if you partner with these communities in creating new patterns and designs.
Another discovery on this hand loom project is the fast way to lose weight and earn money at the same time. Body movements in weaving is extremely an extraneous exercise, so you get to loose pounds in a few days and at the same time you finish ten yards of cloth at 45" width which you can sell to your friends. One weaver told us that the weaving work maintains a good abs by toning the muscles. Huh! I will go for that then.
You get quality local hand woven fabrics at very cheap prices and you get to help in alleviating poverty and creating source of livelihood for the farmers and countryside communities. We get to preserve as well the heritage of our tribal families. This is what i call hitting three birds with one stone.
If you are interested to buy Philippine tropical fabrics or a handloom machine, you may call Mrs Chato Cariaga of Abel Ilocos Paoay on (+63 07) 7714268 thru the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office in Ilocos Norte.

Woman of Subtance 2

She walks in a room graciously
All heads turn... You noticed
She stands out among the crowd
She passed by you with a contagious smile on her lips
You cant resist to smile back
Your heart leaped with excitement

Woman of Substance

The definition of a Woman of Substance (WS) varies according to how you perceive the person to be. You identify the WS based on her life, outlook, personality, physical attributes, her entire being..  WS is beyond the normal lady you see everyday.  


You get bedazzled by her aura.


What lies then on the other coin of a Woman of Substance?    Would you want to know?

Cross the bridge

Have enough courage to cross the bridge and end up against a wall at the foot. What will you do? Try your best to break the berlin wall to penetrate a new phase you want to achieve. It is not that easy, it takes a lot of determination, patience, penitence, and perseverance. Be strong and tough!

Philippine's Loss is Free Trade Gain

By:  Greg Rushford (Wall Street Journal)

Manila's Loss is Free Trade's Gain

Instead of giving trade preferences to Philippine textiles, Obama should cut tariffs across the board, writes Greg Rushford in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.

Bato Bato Sa Langit

how do i carry on... let me count the ways.  hard as it is to hang on to something that does not really exist - an imaginary hanger.

Abaca Denim

Asiatex recently developed a new breed of Denim material made of Abaca (Manila Hemp) with polycotton.  Abaca fiber is endemic to the Philippines.  This new textile innovation will contribute to more income generating activities for the Philippine farmers and SMEs who have been in deep poverty for the past years after the closure of more than half of the garments and textile industry population at the end of the Fiber Quota.  This is one level achieved after years of blood, sweat, and tears to resurrect the Philippine Garments and Textile Industry.  Congratulations CHUCK and to the PTF Working Group, JICA, FIDA, PTRI, and DTI who have supported Chuck's group to come  up with this ABACA DENIM. 
A lot way to go but you did something magnificent to start off the industry.  Move on.