EDITORIAL

Weaving Propels Economic Activity
BLWA Experience Tells

by James Earl E. Ogatis

Bagtason, Bugasong, Antique is known for its great hand woven textile for a time now. They developed a lot of high quality products from cotton and abaca as their raw materials in the late 1960’s. During the 1980’s, the production of hand woven textile using polyester as their raw material heightened and produced more quality designs and products.

Seeing the economic potential of the weaving activity, Bagtason weavers organized themselves as Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA). It was incorporated on July 4, 2008 after the organization was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The association used Tiral in their weaving endeavor. Initially, they started with five units of Tiral. Due to the increase in the production and market demand, they purchased another five units.

Product Creation is not an easy work. It follows many steps and stages to develop it. The first stage is called the Pagsab-ong, wherein it determines the length and number of pieces desired to be produced based on the design. After this, the Paglikis stage follows. It is when the thread is arranged in the Moton, to be followed by Pagbinting.

The thread will be inserted in the "binting", part of the equipment used in this step, in an upward and downward movement. The next stage is the Pagsulod or the stage to insert the thread in the reed. Then, Pagtalingyas or the transfer of thread from the cone to talingyasan. And the last stage is the Pagpanara, it is when the weaving starts.

The Bagtason Loom Weavers Association, Inc. did not limit their production with cloths alone; they expanded their production through making of other products from hablon. Today, the BLWA is producing Patadyong/Pili Patadyong (Patadyong with design). It is a four meter hand woven cloth made from polyester or yarn. Its price also varies depending upon its design. The Patadyong with embroidery costs P1,600.00 while the plain Patadyong costs P650.00 a piece.

Another product manufactured by the Association is the hand woven cloth that is plain checkered. A cloth made from polyester costs P150.00 per meter. Due to the different innovations in lifestyle and fashion, the Association tried the production of Ladies Hat from hand woven cloth. The price also varies depending on the details in each hat. With a plain cloth hat, it is P250.00 and hats with Pili design costs P350.00
To cope with the different innovations in fashion and lifestyle, the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association, Inc. had produced Patadyong Handkerchief and scarf. It is a hand woven cloth made from polyester. Big Scarf with flower embroidery costs P150.00 while Big plain Scarf costs P120.00. For Small Hanky, the price is P60.00. They sell also a two-three meters hand woven cloth with or without embroidery. A soft Weaved Scarf costs P275.00 while a Double Thread Scarf costs P350.00, and for 3 meters Double Thread with Design Scarf costs P500.00

Occasionally, they also produce lei. It is made of yarn or polyester and its price varies depending upon its design. A plain lei costs P30.00 while lei with embroidery costs P50.00. The Association also produces Polo shirt and Long Sleeves made from polyester. A plain Polo costs P650.00/meter while Polo with embroidery costs P750.00. For plain Long Sleeves, it costs P750.00 and for Long Sleeves with embroidery costs P850.00.

Sun Visors are also produced by the BLWA. The Visor is made from polyester and costs P175.00. The very popular Hablon cloth is sold also in the Bagtason, it is a Hablon cloth with rayon threads. It is made from polyester, gold and silver threads. It costs P200.00/meter. For table decorations, the Association is also producing a two meters Table Runner. It is a Hand woven cloth made from polyester and costs P300.00.

All BLWA products contains the logo of the LGU-Bugasong being its OTOP, name of the product, description of the product, name of the association, location, and the price.

Aside from local distribution of hand-woven textiles, the BLWA introduced its products in the international market of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand through the assistance of the Antique Development Foundation. It had served as pasalubongs for our balikabayans and at the same time a part of the different trade and fashion shows. They also joined national and local trade fairs in order to showcase their product. In securing more sales and distribution, they sell in retail, wholesale and consignment methods.

For the last 3 years, the income of the BLWA varies every year. In the year 2008, their income was P267, 000. In the next year, 2009, their income dropped to P56,000. However, as of September 2010, BLWA had already generated P499,350 as their income. The income of the association depends on the demand of Hablon in our market may it be local or international.

Among the product promotions participated by the BLWA are Pasundayag Exposition 2008; 2nd Kinaray-a Arts Festival, OTOP Visayas Island Fair, Balik Bugasong/Patadyong Night, and Visayas Trade Fair. The association is awarded as MSME Top Grosser having sales of P134,580.00, Provincial Champion on the Search for Best OTOP in 2009, best small and medium entrepreneur category in 2009; and Regional Finalist on best SMEs-OTOP.　

Weaving is very important not just in the economy of Antique but it also holds a dynamic culture not just of the Antiqueños but of the Filipinos in general. Let us support our own product, let us help our community and our country. Buy Filipino Products. /MP