Provision for Sustainability

 

In their pursuit for marketing expansion, the weavers clamored for a repeat of the training courses on weaving as well as silk degumming technologies.  PTRI more than willingly attended to these requests and in September 2003, refresher courses on Advance Handloom Designing and Product Development   and Silk Degumming were conducted for them. This time, though, other fibers were involved. 

 

Other PTRI-developed technologies were likewise introduced to them through new training courses on Extraction and Textile Application of Natural Dyes and the technology on Scouring, Bleaching and Dyeing of Indigenous Fibers involving buntal, abaca, romblon, and raffia fibers.  Naturally dyed products of ABAI come in shades of blue, black, yellow, orange, and maroon using dye sources common in the area such as malatayum and talisay leaves, yellow ginger, achuete seeds, and buko husks. ABAI weavers frequently refer to the PTRI book for natural dyeing techniques which was published by AFI titled Gampol: A Compendium of Philippine dye-yielding plants and their textile application.

 

From ABAI, the name now expanded to ABAI Weavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AWMC), fittingly taking into account product development efforts involving other indigenous fibers.  By January 2004, ABAI products had included buntal fabrics sold to local entrepreneurs who converted them into various handicraft and other gifts, toys, and houseware (GTH) items.  Fifteen of the 35 weavers devoted full time in weaving buntal and abaca fibers.

 

Although AFI separated from the federation in 2003, it continued to expand its weaving venture, explore potentials of other indigenous fibers, attempt to work out some marketing schemes, increase its manpower, and strengthen the organizational structure of ABAI Weavers Multi-purpose Cooperative.  The cooperative continues to link up with PTRI and DOST Region X for its technology needs.  The weavers are made aware of the importance of meeting market demand to stay in the business.  They are encouraged to be involved in research and development in order to diversify products.

 

 

The foundation officially launched the handwoven silk fabrics called Mindanao Silk   through a fashion show participated in by 32 Filipino designers during Ayala Corporation’s 170^th anniversary celebration on June 3, 2004 in Makati City. Their silk fabrics come in three fiber states: undegummed, semi-degummed, and fully degummed.  The fully degummed is the softest type of silk cloth.