{"id":9985,"date":"2019-01-31T21:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/?p=9985"},"modified":"2019-06-04T18:29:47","modified_gmt":"2019-06-04T10:29:47","slug":"vigan-travel-rowildas-factory-continues-the-century-old-practice-of-loom-weaving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/01\/31\/vigan-travel-rowildas-factory-continues-the-century-old-practice-of-loom-weaving\/","title":{"rendered":"VIGAN TRAVEL: Rowilda’s Factory Continues the Century-Old Practice of Loom Weaving"},"content":{"rendered":"

You might have seen these gorgeous, colorful woven products along Calle Crisologo in Vigan, but have you ever wondered how they were made?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"The inabel or\u00a0handwoven products are available at Rowilda’s showroom along Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

These inabel\u00a0<\/em>products are handwoven by the artistic weavers of Rowilda’s Loom Weaving<\/strong> factory through traditional, manual weaving in Brgy. Camangaan, just a 10-minute tricycle ride away from Calle Crisologo in Vigan<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Inabel\u00a0<\/i><\/strong>is a traditional woven product made of cotton yarn, sewing threads, among other materials. It is known for its strong and colorful material that produces a beautiful ensemble of fabrics exported to Manila.<\/p>\n

One of their partners is Kultura, <\/i>known for its patronage of local products, often seen at SM Department Stores nationwide.<\/p>\n

\"\"Cotton yarns or “sagut” is widely used for inabel-making. It comes in different colors but for this project, Rowilda’s is sticking to neutral.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Sewing threads are also a key element of <\/em>inabel<\/em>-making, proven by the many spools of thread usually lined up at Rowilda’s.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Rowilda\u2019s Loom Weaving, which started their operations back in 1989, can be considered the most popular looming factory in Vigan.<\/p>\n

This abel <\/em>or\u00a0weaving factory is currently composed of 25 weavers who either use the loom inside their private homes or inside the factory, making abel<\/em> a huge part of their livelihood.<\/p>\n

\"\"One of Rowilda’s weavers working professionally on the traditional handloom gave us her seat to try the handloom<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Inside Rowilda\u2019s, you can watch several\u00a0people\u00a0do the manual-weaving for free. You can also try it yourself as the weavers are kind enough to let tourists experience how to make their famous products.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Our team tried the abel for the first time with the\u00a0supervision of one of the weavers at Rowilda’s.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Rowilda’s\u00a0uses a wooden handloom\u00a0that they inherited from their ancestors some 100 years back. This handloom creates the fabric through the synchronized movement of hands and feet via wooden pedal.\u00a0<\/span>It may be a bit confusing at first but you will get used to its pattern once you learn it. <\/span><\/p>\n

The result is rewarding in and of itself with the fabrics\u2019 durability and beautifully-crafted patterns, incomparable with machine-made cloths.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Different patterns can be made out of the wooden handloom using a combination of cotton yarn and sewing thread.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Products that they produce include table runners (Php 140 per meter), placemats (Php 350\/6 pcs., blankets (Php 380 to Php 680), pillowcases (Php 280\/pair), and bath towels (Php 250 to Php 280),<\/strong> among many others.<\/span><\/p>\n

They also make fashion attires and accessories out of abel<\/em>, making it one of the most sought-after souvenirs when it comes to traditional products in Ilocos.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, their original designs are also available in their showroom along Calle Crisologo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Rowilda’s Handloom Weaving (showroom) can be found along Calle Crisologo in Vigan City. You may ride the calesa going there if you so wish!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Rowilda’s is named after the owner’s only daughter, who learned how to weave when she was just 10 years old.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Rowilda has passed the craft to her daughters who learned to weave\u00a0as young as 6—that is, without anyone teaching them.<\/p>\n

This living tradition is definitely not just a souvenir to bring home, but also a livelihood and a culture to be proud of.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get here:<\/strong><\/p>\n