Over 120 Weavers Gather in Ilocos Norte to Celebrate Culture, Heritage, and Innovation

Robinsons Ilocos serves as the official venue partner of the inaugural Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival (PHWF) — the country’s first nationwide celebration dedicated to advancing and preserving Filipino handloom weaving traditions. The partnership provides a vibrant and accessible setting for more than 120 weavers from over 40 weaving communities, together with designers, researchers, and textile advocates to exchange ideas and showcase the richness of Philippine textiles.

The PHWF is part of the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) and organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST–PTRI), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte Tourism, Cebu Pacific Air, the Local Government of Taguig, and Robinsons Ilocos.

The festival officially runs from November 19-22, 2025 at Robinsons Ilocos, Ilocos Norte featuring a series of events designed to advance knowledge-sharing, strengthen communities and highlight the role of science and technology in the evolution of traditional weaving. 

Key events include:

• Hinabi Textile Bazaar – a showcase and marketplace of locally woven textiles and handmade products.
• Textile Exchange & Fora – discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions among weavers, designers, researchers, and textile innovators.
• Techno Demo Weaving Workshop – hands-on demonstrations of weaving techniques and textile technologies.
• Philippine Ikat Symposium – a platform to initiate discussion on the relevant issues encountered by our Philippine Ikat communities.
• KatHABI Exhibit – a curated display of textile innovations and design collaborations.

“We are honored to help bring the first-ever Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival to life as its official venue partner,” said Jess Zulueta III, Senior Marketing Director of Robinsons Malls. “At Robinsons Malls, we remain committed to supporting programs that celebrate Filipino heritage and strengthen the communities we serve.”

Through this partnership, Robinsons Ilocos supports DOST-PTRI’s mission to empower weaving communities, promote cultural heritage, and strengthen the country’s textile ecosystem. The festival highlights the continued evolution of Filipino handloom weaving as it intersects with research, innovation, and community collaboration.