We visited the Cindy’s Loom Weaving site here in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, I’m a bit uncomfortable when we arrived here because my camera’s battery are starting to die and I need to take photos right away before it stay dead. We also met the loom weavers here and we saw that they are busy making those “abel cloth” a traditional woven product from Vigan.
They weave those cotton threads into one cloth and without using any machine, but using only wood makeshift weaving frame and a pedal that rotates the thread holder. They say that they prefer to use hand made style because in machines, there’s always an error and not perfect.
The art of weaving is starting to fade in this generation, but not here in Ilocos Sur, because they added loom weaving in the curriculum for high school students, and the art has been passed to new generations.
The loom weavers are located in Brgy. Camangan, Vigan City.
They have this small signage at the basketball court
But if you want to visit, just contact the owner Ms. Cristy, here’s a photo of their calling card.
The loom weavers stay in bahay kubo site behind the loom weave store of Cristy, and they have 4 loom weaving apparatus.
The loom weavers are composed of middle age and older women, they lived within the town and working at the weaving site for years
I tried the loom weaving, thanks to the owners of the loom weaving site for allowing us to try and see how hard it is. The loom weavers are composed of two people working in one apparatus.
The 1st is the one infront of the loom weaving, they make sure that the threads are in place, and 2nd the one who weaves.
A close look of the thread, since natural cotton threads are rare, they just order the threads in a store or factory.
Here’s an old lady arranging the thread that helps the weaven cloth to be stronger.
all hand made
and here’s the engineer…we call her the engineer because she arranges the color and also study the output of the colored threads into the cloth . Its like a spider web in this special room. And the view reminds me of that movie – WANTED starring Angelina Jolie.
Here are their products, I bought this pocket for PHP 10 only, Im using this to store my iPhone lenses.
loom weaved cloth are here, can be used as a shoal or a decorative piece at home
I just can’t believe on how they come up a design, check out the details.
Beach towel priced at PHP 150
Bags
Hand wipes
loom weaved blanket…yes they are soft and heavy duty.
How to go here in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
1. There are two travel options – ride the 8 hour bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur or ride the plane go Laoag City Airport in Ilocos Norte + 1 1/2 land travel to Vigan.
2. We went here via chartered plane of Gov. Chavit Singson, we landed at Vigan City airport, if you have a company trip and want to travel by air, you can try a chartered plane by Sea Air, just inquire to their office on how to get a chartered plane.
3. Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fari̱as Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus. РVia http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
4. By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
5. Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
6. If you are in Vigan City, there are lots of transportation, you can ride the tricycle or the “kalesa”, horse drawn carriage. The “kalesa” can be rented at Php 100 per hour.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/
For Schedules of City Events and Tours please contact the City Tourism Office. Tel No: (077) 722-8771,
Baluarte in Vigan City
http://chavitsingson.net/baluarte/index.html
Opens - 7am-6pm eve
ryday, entrance is free
Tel # 6377-722-7186
Historic Town of Vigan @ UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
* Thanks to Governor Chavit Singson for inviting us to tour around Vigan City
Read my complete Vigan travel blog series
for any questions or inquiries, feel free to email me at azrael@gmail.com
Discovering Vigan City - Ilocos Sur trip part 1
