There is money in the craftsmanship of Aklan’s fading fiber industry

KALIBO, Aklan- Several national designers have set their eyes on Aklan’s fading fabric industry, saying there are many opportunities to optimize it, especially for the younger generations.

Mark Bumgarner who recently visited the Pina Village here, said that he was surprised personally to see how Akeanon weavers use the Red Pineapple Silks in their designs.

“Upon my interaction with the weavers, I learned that only a few young people have expressed an interest in sustaining the craftsmanship. In my part, I saw the potential and thought it could provide good economic opportunities for young fashion designers,” he said in a media briefing here.

Raymond Villanueva, an executive committee member of the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant, said that it has already been discussed that the Red Pineapple Silk will take center stage during the Binibining Kalibo Ati-atihan 2023 Pageant in January 2023.

“We needed to inculcate in the young people the importance of Aklan’s Pineapple Silk Industry,” he said.

For his part, Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro said that he is happy with the support coming from national creative designers.

He has also committed support to helping the fiber industry in Kalibo.

Piña fiber especially that made from the leaves of a red pineapple plant, was a textile unique to the Philippines and is deemed “The Queen of Philippine Fabrics.” Consequently, Aklan has become the prime producer of piña cloth in the country.