#CagayanTouREADsm | Province of Cagayan’s Weaving Industry | Bakong & Abel

The weaving industry in the Philippines has soared through the years. It is evident in every occasion as people proudly flaunt their Filipiniana and Barong Tagalogs woven using organic fibers sourced locally.

Hanguana malayana, known as bakong plant, is an invasive macrophytic plant (macrophytes are aquatic plants growing in or near water) found in few regions of the Philippines. It occupies large spaces and invades spaces allotted for crops of local farmers. In Cagayan, the bakong was considered a nuisance in Bangalao Lake until in 2013, experts discovered that it contains excellent fiber. This discovery became a flicker of hope to local communities as this signified another source of income. Locals harvest bakong leaves and weave them into different products: clothes, bags, baskets, and decorative home items amongst others.

Bakong fiber blends well with cotton and as a result makes for sturdy and fine cloth that can be made into Filipiniana, barong, and even fashionable corporate attires such as sports coat and dress pants. Bakong-woven dresses and suits have slowly made its way to oath-takings, Filipino-themed parties, and other special occasions that evoke not only sustainable fashion, but Cagayan culture and pride.

Abel designs represent a plethora of Filipino culture from Ilocos, Abra, Apayao, and now Cagayan. Abel-themed dresses and suits have slowly made their way to oath-takings, Filipino-themed parties, and other special occasions that evoke not only sustainable fashion, but Cagayan culture and pride.

Our models who are of Ybanag and Ilocano roots, proudly wore Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog made of bakong fiber harvested and woven by the women of Laguna De Cagayan Handicrafts Association. These delicate pieces were lovingly sewn by able hands of Angel Ortezq, a local of Tuguegarao City, who turned them to fashion masterpieces. The colors mimic Cagayan Province’s official logo: blue, green, and yellow which represent water, nature and warmth— values that encompass “Endless Fun, Cagayan”.

#Cagayan #EndlessFunCagayan #VisitCagayanPH #YourIslandsAndValleyOfFUN #TWOrismoSaLambak #LoveThePhilippines #CagayanProvinceBakong

GALLERY