Tara! Abra: La Paz Weaving

I ALWAYS get amazed with the Philippines’ traditional handwoven textiles that showcase the unique cultures of Filipinos from different regions or ethnic groups.

In Ilocos Region for example, there is inabel (also abel Iloko), which is woven using wooden handlooms. Usually made of cotton fibers, the inabel comes in vibrant colors and fine patterns bearing different meanings.

The Ilocano's inabel comes in vibrant colors and fine patterns

And despite modernization and the sad truth that Filipino weavers continue to wane down in number, the tradition of inabel weaving perseveres in both Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

But unknown to many, inabel weaving also used to thrive in Abra, which is formerly part of the two Ilocos provinces until it became its own province, and until it became part of the Cordillera Administrative Region. But nevertheless, the Ilocano culture dominated Abra and one tangible proof was the inabel.

Unknown to many, inabel weaving also used to thrive in Abra

I remember in my childhood, there stood a bahay kubo at the foot of the valley behind the ancestral house of my father in the town of San Quintin. Inside, an elder woman lived and weaved inabel blankets in striking red and white color combination.

Now I feel so fortunate that my parents brought one for each their two children. And up to this day, the quality and vibrancy of the inabel blankets have not faded. I love using it during the country’s cold season for the pure cotton blanket provided ample warmth.

Unfortunately, I could not remember when the elder woman left her home and stopped weaving. Maybe she had passed on, but I never really asked. But with her gone, so did inabel weaving in our humble sitio.

Leila’s Loomweaving in La Paz produces commercial inabel and in turn,
provides livelihood to the women in the community

But this does not mean that inabel had been forgotten in the entire province because there is a town that keeps the tradition very much alive! This is La Paz where Leila’s Loomweaving produces commercial inabel and in turn, providing livelihood to the women in the community.

And so, in my vacation to our province this January, I made sure to visit the center and meet Naty Quiday, the Ilocana behind the successful venture. And thanks to my cousin Nikko, who drove us from Lagayan to La Paz, the search became possible (and Tara! Abra series became reality).

Naty Quiday, the Ilocana behind the successful venture

Located right at the heart of in Brgy. Bulbulala, we got lost looking for the center but it was worth it most especially because Nanang Naty was most gracious. She personally toured us all the while proudly sharing the roots of her enterprise.

Simply, inabel loomweaving is rooted deep in Nanang Naty’s family. It has been passed from one generation to the next. She grew up being taught the craft by her grandmother and mother. She even remembered how the elder women of her family would plant and harvest cotton right from their backyard to be made into fibers for weaving.

In return, Nanang Naty taught her daughters to weave with their hands. And to ensure that the tradition lives, Leila’s (named after one of her daughter) Loomweaving was established.

The center currently employs 35 women weavers aged 20 to 70 years old

Now operating for two decades, the center currently employs 35 women weavers aged 20 to 70 years old. “It has become the main livelihood of the women in our community especially when they are not planting in their farms,” Nanang Naty said.

And these women are like no other because of their skills and patience to finish an elaborate and meticulous yard of inabel. They have hands that truly create works of art.

Works of art created by hand

Get the chance to meet Nanang Naty up close and personal, as well as watch Leila’s Loomweaving in action by liking and following Tara! AbraTravel and Tours in Facebook. 

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

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