In 2023, I moved to a small island in the Philippines. Siargao is a small island in the Visayas known for its never-ending coconut trees, glassy waves and laid-back lifestyle. In December of 2021, the island was devastatingly hit by category 5 Typhoon Rai, and many were left to rebuild their homes and businesses.
Lokal Lab has been supporting the rebuild of Siargao as a model sustainable island with its regenerative farm, social enterprise community hubs/restaurants, farm networks, community programs and more. During my time with Lokal, I worked directly with the Caridad Weavers Association to increase their monthly income by surveying their customer base and addressing supply chain issues.
After they collect the material, it gets washed and then dried over a few days.
If they want to use color, they dye it in a large pot over a fire, and let it dry again.
The culmination of our collaboration was new product line, accompanied by a digital product catalogue for individual or bulk purchases.
To view the catalogue, click here.
The weavers kindly let me observe their making process, bringing me with them to source materials like alahiwan and buli.
Weavers work together on the habion, or loom, set up just outside their doors. The warp threads need to be placed into their channels before the grasses can be woven through.
