UMVA has learned that the 9th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 5th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition will ignite the Philippines’ textile scene this October.
These twin contests will blaze across the 16th Likhang Habi Market Fair, held from October 9‑11 at Space One Ayala in Makati City, turning the fair into a living museum of hand‑woven mastery.
Weavers from every corner of the archipelago are racing to perfect pieces that stretch at least two meters, showcasing the delicate whisper of pineapple fibers and the sturdy elegance of abaca.
In the piña arena, three categories beckon: Liniwan, a test of flawless plain weave; Pure Piña, a celebration of unadulterated pineapple silk; and Natural Fiber Blends, where daring artisans fuse piña with silk, jusi, cotton or abaca to push the boundaries of tradition.
Meanwhile, the abaca competition challenges creators with Resist Dye, inviting the ancient art of ikat and other resist‑techniques; Abaca Craft, a showcase of macramé, crochet, tatting and bobbin lace; and Abaca Nipis, a quest for sheer, feather‑light cloth born of pure abaca fibers.
“Each entry is pure delight,” says a veteran of the council, echoing the excitement that ripples through workshops and loom rooms as weavers respond to the call with imagination and pride.
Last year’s champions—Rosemarie Loveras, Melanie Palmon, Raquel Eliserio in piña, and Ulaniban Laginan, Myra Iledan, Arlene Yamog, Arnie I. Almero in abaca—set a high bar, but the upcoming contest promises fresh silhouettes, bolder color stories, and a new generation of innovators.
Judges, comprising fashion visionaries, textile scholars and the heirs of the competitions’ namesakes, will award cash prizes, the Nadres Young Weaver Award and the Filip + Inna Innovation Award, spotlighting both technical brilliance and daring creativity.
Exhibitions of every accepted work will grace the fair, inviting visitors to trace the lineage of Philippine weaving from colonial courts to contemporary runways.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the awarding ceremony for piña will unfold on October 10, followed by the abaca honors on October 11, sealing the event as a crescendo of heritage and modernity.
Weavers eager to compete must submit their creations to the council’s Mandaluyong office by August 15, 2026, ensuring their threads join the national tapestry.
