31 Aug2015
Mrs. MM and I were at the “Maarte Fair” at the Rockwell tent over the weekend, and I was thrilled to find so many beautifully made local products. The fair, arranged by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines was a charitable event, and part of the proceeds of all sales were given to the sponsors… so one had to spend to help. Gotta like that once in a while at least… I managed to find several small ceramic bowls and this wonderful woven table runner from Balay ni Atong, which is a native Ilocano weaving process called inabel.
We got another of their table runners before last Christmas, here, and loved it, so acquiring this one, in what appears to be a really modern pattern, but is in fact a very traditional pattern that is just magnified several times, was a no brainer. It was more expensive at this fair, but that’s the cost of funding a worthy cause.
The pattern on this one is somewhat mesmerizing, or is it hypnotizing? It appears to move when your eye wanders over it, but I think once several platters of food are laid on top, it doesn’t risk distracting from the food… It’s bazaar or fair season coming up in full force, and I hope more and more folks focus on locally sourced materials and products like this one.
Curious? For more information, visit Balay ni Atong’s website, here.
COMMENTS:
Khew says:
Absolutely ingenious way of removing the monotony of what would otherwise be plain checks.
Aug 31, 2015 | 2:43 pm
MP says:
Beautiful! Maybe someday we will learn how best to market our handicrafts & local products and captivate buyers beyond our shores in a more sustainable manner.
Aug 31, 2015 | 4:48 pm
Betchay says:
It is an optical illusion pattern! Ganda! :)
Aug 31, 2015 | 9:18 pm
rp says:
that visual phenom is called the Moiré effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern
Aug 31, 2015 | 10:31 pm
EbbaBlue says:
awesome
Sep 1, 2015 | 2:32 am
ami says:
With the Ber months starting today, there would be more fairs across the metro. I just heard my first Christmas song on the radio this morning!
Sep 1, 2015 | 9:17 am
millet says:
so beautiful! i love the previous one too, and i thought it was a yakan weave
Sep 1, 2015 | 9:22 am
LizCuy says:
I was there Saturday morning to check on my sister’s booth. I eventually went around and spent time at the Balay ni Atong booth. His products are beautiful and tastefully done; and it is really interesting talking to him, too! The Maarte Fair has select vendors, and I like that it benefits the MFP.
Sep 1, 2015 | 6:29 pm
cherryoyvr says:
Great find! Is it washable MM? I love Philippine handicrafts but think twice about purchasing when I think about how good it stands up to maintenance.
Sep 12, 2015 | 9:47 am
Gina says:
I also had the same question as cherryoyvr: is it machine washable?
Sep 13, 2015 | 2:11 pm
udo gangl says:
These kind of textiles were traditionally made by the Bontoc and called “binakol (owes)”. Simply put that word into google search – pictures and you will see various types. There is also a very good book about Philippine (tribal) textiles “sinaunang habi by Marian Pastor-Roces about Philippine Ancestral weaves; 1991”
Unfortunately the website is a bit hard to manage and doesn´t work propery (for me) as i would love to buy a bunch of these tablerunners and else for my shop…
Sep 10, 2016 | 7:38 pm