Davao City’s Binugao Bagobo Tagabawa Women Association (BIBATAWA) was given two awards – “Katuwang sa pag tataguyod ng Pambansang Sentro ng Paghahabi ng Pilipino award” and “Best Booth award” – during the first Philippine Handloom Weaving festival (PHWF) held on November 22, 2025, which was attended by 120 weaving communities nationwide.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) organized the first Handloom festival, which provided community weavers with access to new textile technologies, research insights, creative collaborations, and resources that are typically unavailable to small weaving groups.
Mervin To-ong, BIBATAWA Creative Director, said in a speech at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, that he hoped their victory would inspire the other indigenous tribes of Davao City to embrace weaving while strengthening the city’s bid to become the Textile Capital of the Philippines.
“We have 11 tribes and I hope and encouraged all the 11 tribes nga mag habi din sila kasi kung marunong at mag hahabi na ang 11 tribes dito sa Davao we can be the textile capital of the Philippines (We have 11 tribes in Davao City, and I hope and encourage the 11 tribes to weave. Because if the 11 tribes know how to weave here in Davao, we can be the Textile Capital of the Philippines),” he said.
He added that their journey toward national recognition was rooted in their dedication to preserving the craft of inabel, a type of weaving traditionally made with abaca fiber. This commitment to preservation ultimately led to their invitation to the festival and the honor of receiving the award.
To-Ong also mentioned that one of the textiles is called matanab, which means “marangal” in the Bagobo Tagabawa language, to recognize all those who have contributed to the preservation of their craft.
During her privilegedspeech at the Sangguniang Panglungsod, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Councilor Atty. Rachel P. Zozobrado emphasized that the awards are proof that indigenous artistry is not just a heritage but a living force that strengthens the city’s identity.
“This national recognition celebrates their exceptional contribution to preserving and promoting Philippine weaving traditions. But most importantly, it affirms that Davao City stands up nor only as a center of progress but also as a city that proudly champions the culture and identity of its indigenous peoples,” she said.
To-ong also warned Dabawenyos about the growing threat of counterfeit textile and sublimation prints that mimic indigenous designs.
“Kasi kung patuloy tayong bibili ng mga pekeng hinabi at mga sublimation printing na ninakaw lamang sa ating mga katutubo, you’re not just depriving our livelihood, our cultural identity but also you’re depriving our future (Because if we continue to buy fake textiles and sublimation printing that were stolen from our natives, you’re not just depriving our livelihood, our cultural identity but also you’re depriving our future),” he added.
For more details about their craft, Dabawenyos may also visit BABITAWA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093170409054 CIO
