‘PATADYONG’. Mario Manzano, the chairperson of the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bagtason, Bugasong, shows the naturally dyed patadyong or the handwoven rectangular wrap-around skirt they brought to the National Arts and Craft Fair in Metro Manila on Oct. 4-8, 2023. Manzano said in an interview Friday (Oct. 13) that aside from selling their products, they also established a network during the fair. (Photo courtesy of Mario Manzano)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Weavers from Antique found a market for their “patadyong” following their successful participation in the National Arts and Craft Fair (NACF) in Metro Manila on Oct. 4-8.
The patadyong, the handwoven rectangular wrap-around skirt, was among the products brought by the 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Antique, along with other food and non-food, muscovado, turmeric, ginger tea, shoes with patadyong accent, herbal medicines and virgin coconut oil, among others, to the NACF.
Mario Manzano, chairperson of the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bagtason, Bugasong, sold all his patadyong stocks during the fair.
“I always make it a point to introduce new products during the fair and this time, I introduced the naturally dyed patadyong,” he said in an interview on Friday.
Manzano said people who came to the fair were awed by how the patadyong was meticulously crafted. The fabric is non-hypoallergenic and eco-friendly.
Patadyong is made of cotton and dyed with indigo and other extracted plant juices, the technique they learned from training conducted by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Fiber Industry Development Authority(FIDA).
Manzano said a piece of patadyong costs PHP6,000, or double the price when bought at the Tindahang Lokal at the old capitol in San Jose de Buenavista.
“I am now confident that there is now a market for the patadyong because of the product development,” he said.
Another participant, Irele Mahimpit, said her picnic baskets made of bamboo and nito were her best-selling products.
“I am grateful that I was able to join the NAFC, for aside from that, I was able to make a good income, I was able to network,” she said.
The Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and the Arts Inc., a group promoting Capiznon culture and arts as an instrument of development, facilitated their participation in the NACF. (PNA)
