On its 15th year of celebrating the fabric of our culture, the Likhang Habi Market Fair is set to return on October 10 – 12, 2025, this time at the SPACE Events Hall of One Ayala (former site of the Hotel Intercontinental Manila) in Makati City. Moving to a bigger venue, the Fair will be hosting a fast-growing community of close to a hundred artisans and weavers from all over the country, offering unique and innovative products fresh off the loom.
The flagship program of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, this year’s theme, Sining ng Tela – The Art and Legacy of Philippine Textiles, puts the spotlight on the creative forces behind the weaves that define our identity as Filipinos.
With a growing focus on the educational aspect of their mission, the HABI Council is taking advantage of the larger facility and will be holding a variety of events such as the HABI Lectures – a series of talks and panel discussions on design, entrepreneurship, and building a Filipino brand. There will also be presentations to highlight the rich cultures that produce the intricate weaves, screenings of the various documentaries that the council has created, and exhibitions of the entries to the 8th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 4th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition, among others.
“We want to give voice and value to the hands behind every woven creation,” said HABI Chairman Emeritus Maribel Ongpin. “The artistry of Filipino weavers deserves a national stage.” A staunch supporter of the weaving industry, she established the textile council in 2009 together with HABI President Emeritus Adelaida Lim and other fellow weaving advocates to revive and revitalize what was then a dying craft.
Today, the Likhang Habi Market Fair stands as incontrovertible proof that the weaving industry is back and stronger than ever. This vibrant marketplace offers a unique cultural platform where heritage, artistry and community are seamlessly woven to provide a meaningful market encounter. More than just a venue to buy and sell, it provides the artisans and weavers the opportunity to meet the people who actually use their products, understand their needs and improve what they can offer in the future. In turn, buyers and designers are introduced to the communities that produce the weaves, learn about the meanings behind the designs, and use the fabrics in ways that honors the culture that created it. Ms. Lim pointed out that at the heart of most weaving cultures are the women because the activity is considered a female pursuit. With the HABI Council making a range of resources and information accessible, they expect a rise of women in leadership roles as they facilitate the growing business of weaving.“The empowerment of women is an important advocacy of the HABI Council,” she reiterated. “This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations which we are actively pursuing. The availability of resources shifts the perspective, taking weaving from being a chore for girls into a viable career that will also aid in preserving their culture.”
The three-day fair brings together the different stakeholders under one roof – weavers, designers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, distributors and buyers – where connections are made and relationships are fostered to support an industry that is engaged and sustainable.
Mia Villanueva, HABI President adds: “Because we are in a new venue, we want our visitors to have a richer experience this year. Guests can expect a full spectrum of products using a wide range of indigenous weaves including handwoven textiles, garments, accessories, homeware, jewelry, and curated crafts. They can take time off from shopping by learning something new and interesting from the HABI lecture series, or sample a variety of regional delicacies from culinary artisans such as Chef Sau Del Rosario at the lounge and dining area .”
More than just a marketplace, Likhang Habi Market Fair promises to weave opportunities for growth, celebrate our identity, and strengthen the ties that bind us to our heritage.
