A long long time ago, when the Spaniards set foot in Panay, they discovered the unique type of clothing the natives sported. Fabrics of different colors and designs painstakingly weaved by these early Panayanons. These were Hablon, from the Hiligaynon word, “habol” which means “to weave.” Thus, it was named Hablon weaving.
Fast forward to thousands of years into the future, Hablon weaving remains as the native and traditional craft of residents in Panay. The practice of creating these beautifully handcrafted fabrics is very much alive today.
And it thrives splendidly in no other than 5-year old child wonder, Jade Caitlyn Otian — a resident of Miagao, Iloilo. Her prodigious weaving caught the eye of national television. See her story in Bandila.
