MANILA – On the first of August, “TelaHistoria 2025: The Runway Story of Filipino Fabrics,” a grand benefit fashion show that celebrates and promotes Filipino weaving heritage and sustainable, culturally rooted fashion will happen at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City.

Coming from “Tela” that means woven fabric and “Historia” referring to both history and story, TelaHistoria is a celebration of culture, ingenuity and innovation. It sets a grand runway converging local weaves made with love and resilience by local artisans, transformed into a tapestry of creativity and artistry.

With Raymond Villanueva leading its creative and fashion direction, “TelaHistoria” is organized by Global Linkages for the Filipino Youths, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to helping the youth and the environment through progressive social and marketing activities both here and abroad. The thrust of the fashion show is to help local weaving communities promote their uniquely and intricately crafted fabrics to ensure their textile traditions will continue to thrive in the years to come.

In partnership with Newport World Resorts, Balik Pinas, Balik Saya, Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Marketing Association, the ramp will showcase collections designed using these indigenous weaves like Inabel, Inaul, Patadyong, Hablon, Raffia and Malong, among others.

F.L.O.S.S. (Fashion: Language Of StrideS)

The event coincides with the celebration of the National Language Month. Working on the theme,

F.L.O.S.S. – Fashion: Language Of StrideS, the show serves as a platform to communicate creativity rooted from the blend of culture and craftsmanship through modern expression. A stride makes a point but the total walk tells the story. The theme encourages the break in stereotyping that weaves are only for holidays and for those who have more to spend. This experience speaks of equality drawing from authenticity and individuality.

Celebrating originality becomes more powerful when spoken in the language that most people understand. The dynamic interplay of structure and spontaneity tells the story of how giving a chance brings out the true spirit of elegance, extended beyond borders. More than sparkles, shades or shapes, the show is an expression of love of country, love of neighbor and ultimately, love of God.

PURPOSE AND ADVOCACY

“TelaHistoria” aims to raise awareness for Filipino-made textiles; to empower local weaving communities and youth artisans to continue their tradition; to encourage sustainable consumer behavior; and to promote cultural preservation through fashion. It supports UN Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)—and aligns with national efforts to revive the Philippine textile industry through innovation and local collaboration.

Giving their all-out support in gracing the catwalk are luminaries who have a clear vision and purpose of service and driving change- they have each made an indelible mark in their respective fields that include fashion, politics, diplomacy, media, marketing, showbusiness, sports, arts and philanthropy. They are not your regular live mannequins on the catwalk as their every stride shall speak of their commitment to support our local community beneficiaries for growth and sustainability.

WEAVING COMMUNITIES

Groups of weavers from all across the Philippine archipelago will be featured, each representing their unique patterns, traditions, and stories.

NAMARABAR INDIGO NATURAL DYE PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE (ABRA)

Fabric: Abel

In 2015, a cooperative based in Abra—an upland province in the Cordilleras known as the Philippines’ Natural Dye Capital—breathed new life into the fading tradition of indigenous dyeing, a valuable Filipino art form worthy of greater recognition. Led by Luis Again Jr., Namarabar has been producing natural dyes from the bark of Indigofera Tinctoria and Sappanwood, which are used to color their fabric products.

YBA-AY DE KALINGA NATIVE PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING (KALINGA)

Fabric: Laga

Yba-Ay De Kalinga Native Products, also known as Rovies Kalinga Products, is a proud weaving community in Kalinga that has remained committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of traditional textile art. This time-honored craft serves as a dignified source of income, livelihood, and employment for the community. Today, a new generation of young weavers continues to uphold the intricate indigenous patterns, while responding to the growing appreciation and demand for culturally rooted craftsmanship.

MAYOYAO WEAVERS IFUGAO (IFUGAO)

Fabric: Enapfor

Tucked in the lush embrace of the Cordillera mountain range in the Philippines, the municipality of

Mayoyao in the province of Ifugao stands as a living testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage and

stunning natural beauty. More than just a travel destination, Mayoyao invites visitors on an immersive journey into the soul of Ifugao culture. From its awe-inspiring rice terraces and captivating tourist spots to its vibrant traditions and steadfast community, Mayoyao offers a deeply enriching experience that celebrates the enduring spirit and diversity of Philippine heritage.

DE CASTRO’S LOOM WEAVING (LA UNION)

Fabric: Inabel

Located in Bangar, La Union, De Castro’s Loom Weaving stands as one of the most renowned loom weaving establishments originally rooted in Abra. Founded in the 1950s by weaving pioneer Benita De Castro, the enterprise has remained dedicated to crafting high-quality Inabel fabrics while preserving the age-old weaving tradition. Each product is meticulously handwoven, with yarns manually adjusted to create unique patterns—an artisanal technique that machines cannot replicate.

PATNONGON MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (ANTIQUE)

Fabric: Patadyong

Located in the municipality of Patnongon in Antique, the Patnongon Multi-Purpose Cooperative is one of the dedicated weaving communities in the Visayas working to preserve the tradition of weaving patadyong—a knotted hablon fabric commonly worn as a wraparound skirt. Beyond its weaving efforts, the cooperative also collaborates with the Cotton Processing Center of Antique, supporting and empowering local cotton producers and strengthening the province’s textile and agricultural sectors.

SALNGAN LIVELIHOOD MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (ILOILO)

Fabric: Hablon

Hablon—a name rooted in the Hiligaynon word habol, meaning “to weave”—is a time-honored, handwoven textile crafted by the skilled women of Panay Island for over a century, particularly in the towns of Miag-ao, Oton, Duenas, Igbaras, and Badiangon. After years of quiet decline, hablon weaving experienced a meaningful revival in the late 2000s. This resurgence was spurred by a local government initiative that linked childhood malnutrition to mothers spending long hours selling agricultural goods at the market. In response, weaving was reintroduced as a home-based livelihood—allowing mothers to earn an income while caring for their families and helping breathe new life into a cherished cultural tradition.

TUBIGON LOOMWEAVERS MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (BOHOL)

Fabric: Raffia

While Bohol is widely celebrated for its iconic Chocolate Hills, the island is also home to a thriving weaving tradition centered on the use of Buri palm fibers—locally known as Raffia. At the heart of this craft is the Tubigon Loomweavers Multipurpose Cooperative, which has been creating Raffia-based products for over three decades. In 2014, with backing from the Department of Tourism, the cooperative expanded its capabilities, enabling the production of broader fabric panels and more refined weaves suitable for a diverse range of applications.

YAKAN VILLAGE (ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR)

Fabric: Yakan

The Yakan are the predominant Muslim ethnolinguistic group in Basilan, an island province located just south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Among them, the traditional craft of weaving—known as tennun—is both a cultural expression and the term for the woven textile itself. Recognizing the gap between local weavers and artists or designers, Yakan weaver and entrepreneur Evelinda Otong-Hamja took the initiative to bridge this divide by launching a Facebook page, creating a platform for direct collaboration. The preservation of tennun continues through the active involvement of the community’s youth, many of whom begin learning to weave as early as seven years old.

MAGUINDANAO INAUL WEAVERS COUNCIL (MAGUINDANAO)

Fabric: Inaul

Inaul is a traditional woven fabric deeply rooted in Maguindanaon culture. Once reserved for royalty and nobility, its intricate designs—often in silk and gold—symbolized status and prestige. Today, Inaul remains a proud symbol of Maguindanao’s vibrant heritage, with weaving passed down through generations and serving as a key livelihood for many women in the province.

LEMSNOLON NATIVE HANDICRAFTS MAKERS ASSOCIATION (SOUTH COTABATO)

Fabric: Malong

Barangay Lemsnolon, designated as a tourism site under the 2016 Tboli Ecotourism Code, is one of the town’s recognized cultural barangays. It features a living museum called Gunô Bong (big house), where visitors can immerse themselves in the Tboli way of life in a natural, authentic setting. Managed by the Lemsnolon Natural and Historical Management Association (LNHMA), Gunô Bong welcomes tourists interested in experiencing Tboli culture firsthand. The group also produces a variety of traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, including Tboli necklaces, earrings, malong, and kegal (Tboli blouse).

GLOBAL COMPONENT

“TelaHistoria” is part of a broader international movement under the Balik Pinas, Balik Saya program,

with previews and cultural showcases in New York and New Jersey in August 2024.

Balik Pinas, Balik Saya is a remarkable campaign under Creative Travel & Tours International, an affiliate company of Global Linkages for the Filipino Youths Inc., being an international tourism program with a panoptic approach is another gateway for Philippine products to reach other countries through the science of marketing. This effort to help local communities that produce local weaves is a strategic partnership effort to show and amplify the uniquely Filipino trait called “Bayanihan.”

Also taking part in TelaHistoria are the following: SPONSORS- Municipality of Taytay, Rizal, One Touch Fabrics, Strait Solutions, Borromeo Printing Press, Estudio Pintado, RCBC, Landbank of the Philippines, Municipality of Guagua, Pampanga, Villar Foundation, Bambbi Fuentes Hair & Make-up Studio, Creative Talent Management Corporation; and PARTNERS- Multi-Action Creative Production (Creative), Casa Buenas (Venue), Paperless PR + Creative Agency (PR) and PhilStar Media Group (Media).

Be part of weaving story and history on this Cultural Couture extravaganza by booking your seats through: Mars Sagum at 0956 506 2285, or email: inquiry@telahistoria.ph Learn more about us through: https://telahistoria.ph or facebook.com/TelaHistoria, TelaHistoria Contact: Jelo Reyes-Reyes, CPM Director for PR and Communications at +639258015488

For more NEW stories, search #TNCnow or read thru 💬 https://thenewchannel.com/highlights/

Check out 🌐 https://www.TheNewChannel.com/

#onTNC #PressRelease #TelaHistoria #SupportLocalPH #CulturalHeritage #WeaveTheFuture #TheNewChannel