𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿

Libacao, Aklan- From the age of six, Unevel of Barangay Alfonso, Libacao, Aklan, was already entangled in the intricate and sacred tradition of basket weaving which is an essential skill passed down among the Panay Bukidnon, an indigenous Visayan group rooted in the mountains of Panay.

She grew up in a large family where weaving was not only a cultural legacy but also a daily necessity. As a child, Unevel would accompany her parents into the dense mountain forests to collect raw materials. While other children played, she found comfort in quietly mimicking her grandmother’s skillful hands. Her first finished piece, a round glass coaster with rough, uneven edges, was proudly praised by her grandmother. This praise planted in her the belief that she could one day become a master weaver.

Schooling was far from easy. Each day, she and her sister would rise at 3 AM to begin a three-hour trek across rivers and rocky paths to reach school. Along the way home, she often stopped under trees to rest and weave.

Unevel knew that finishing high school was close to impossible. The nearest secondary school required her family to pay for boarding, which they could not afford. At home, she continued to learn weaving, as her parents also began preparing her for an arranged marriage or paghirisugot, another cherished tradition. By the time she turned 18, Unevel had mastered not only weaving but household management and child-rearing.

She later married Jimmy Pelayo, also of Panay Bukidnon descent, and moved to Barangay Ganzon, Jamindan, Capiz. Together, they raised five children. Eager to improve her craft, Unevel once applied to join a local weaving training program in Libacao but was rejected because she no longer lived there.

In 2016, an opportunity finally came. Through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), she was enrolled in a Skills Training on Indigenous Handicraft as part of the government’s recovery effort following Typhoon Yolanda. As a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary, she was prioritized for the program and later received a starter kit. The training marked a turning point, her designs evolved and soon stood out for their uniqueness and intricacy.

Her handcrafted trays, placemats, bags, tissue holders, and coasters gained recognition. Shops in Libacao and Jamindan preferred her pieces over more common designs. Through expos and trade fairs organized by DSWD, her products began attracting regional attention. The Municipal Tourism Office of Jamindan even featured her creations under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative.

Unevel’s mastery earned her national acclaim. She became the only weaver from her province accredited by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as a resource person in weaving. She was invited to speak and demonstrate her craft at the International Dayaw Festivals in 2017 and 2018. Her work was also featured three times on Sikat Pinoy Handicraft, a platform for world-class Filipino products.

As her influence grew, she was tapped as a trainer by several government agencies and, in 2019, was elected president of the DOLE-registered Ganzon Panay Bukidnon Handicraft Association, which now has 30 members. Under her leadership, income and opportunities are fairly shared.

Though Unevel was never able to complete high school herself, she and her husband are now working hard to ensure that their children do. Their weaving business funds their children’s education. The couple was over the moon when their children Jimvel and Jineve completed their criminology and secondary education degrees, respectively.

To preserve the heritage of their tribe, Unevel was recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as a Cultural Master in the Balay Pagtulun-an in Jamindan. There, she teaches indigenous weaving techniques to younger generations, ensuring that their identity endures despite increasing outside influence.

Reflecting on the question that once puzzled her as a child—why weaving must be passed on—Unevel now knows the answer. It preserves a rich culture and serves as a lifeline for her community. It provides food, education, healthcare, and a future.
In every thread, Unevel has not only woven baskets but also resilience, identity, and hope.

𝗨𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼
𝗦𝗟𝗣 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁
𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘇

𝙎𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣, 𝙏𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙤 𝙨𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙮𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙜! 🌱

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