Iloilo’s Hablon Showcased in New South Wales

Left photo: Models wear creations by PJ Aranador. Middle photo: A model wears a red beaded hablon gown by John Montinola. Right photo: A stunning gown in black by Sidney Eculla. (Photos courtesy of Mr. Bob Reyes)

03 July 2017 SYDNEY — Traditional Ilonggo textile, hablon, made it to the runway of Sydney during a fashion parade, “Habol Ilonggo: A Heritage of Traditional Weaving,” at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) on June 24.

The fashion parade was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI, and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Ilonggo designers PJ Aranador, John Montinola, Sidney Eculla, and Jun-G Candelario showcased their designs featuring contemporary takes on the fabric.  Other Philippine textiles featured during the event are abaca, jusi, patadyong, piña, and polyabaca.

Ms. Constancia Atijon, a weaver who hails from Miagao, Iloilo, demonstrated the process of weaving hablon using her 1955 wooden handloom. The said handloom was brought from Iloilo to Sydney.

The fashion parade was covered by Australia’s multicultural channel, SBS Channel and was attended by 400 guests.

For more information, visit http://sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/. END

Top left photo: Ms. Atijon, a weaver from Miagao, Iloilo demonstrates the use of the handloom to guests at the gallery before the fashion parade. Top right photo: Ms. Bolivar and Ms. Santillan wear creations by PJ Arañador using hablon/patadyong material.Bottom photo: Jun-G Candelario’s wedding gown with intricate lace and beads is admired by the audience (Photos courtesy of Mr. Bob Reyes)

From left: Iloilo fashion designers PJ Aranador, John Montinola, Sidney Ecuella, and Jun-G Candelario, with Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, Iloilo International models Ria Bolivar and Rachel Santillan, Tourism Attaché Norjamin delos Reyes, weaver Connie Fagarita Atijon, and DOT- Iloilo Director Gilbert Gomez-Marin after the fashion parade, “Habol Ilonggo: A Heritage of Traditional Weaving,” held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, on June 24, 2017.