Celebrate Filipino Heritage and Craftsmanship at the 16th Likhang HABI Market Fair

Filipino craftsmanship, heritage, and contemporary design take center stage as the Likhang HABI Market Fair (LHMF) returns for its 16th edition from October 9 to 11, 2026, at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City.

Carrying the theme “Worth Every Thread,” this year’s fair invites visitors to discover the stories, skills, traditions, and communities behind some of the Philippines’ most remarkable handwoven textiles. More than just a shopping event, the three-day gathering offers an opportunity to experience the richness of Philippine culture through fabric, fashion, art, and craftsmanship.

Organized by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, the Likhang HABI Market Fair will bring together 100 carefully curated exhibitors from across the country. The event will feature weavers, artisans, designers, makers, textile advocates, and micro, small, and medium enterprises that continue to keep traditional Filipino crafts alive while finding new ways to introduce them to modern audiences.

A Weekend Celebrating Filipino Textiles

Visitors can explore a diverse collection of handwoven fabrics and contemporary products inspired by centuries-old traditions. Among the textiles expected at the fair are inabel from Ilocos, suksok from Aklan, and t’nalak from Cotabato, alongside creative products made from traditional Philippine fibers such as abaca and pineapple fiber.

The fair provides an opportunity to see how traditional weaving techniques can be transformed into stylish clothing, accessories, home décor, and lifestyle products. Exhibitors will showcase both their latest creations and signature designs, offering visitors a closer look at the versatility of Filipino textiles in contemporary fashion and design.

For shoppers, collectors, and travelers interested in Philippine culture, the event is also an excellent place to discover one-of-a-kind pieces while supporting local communities and small businesses.

According to HABI President Emeritus Adelaida Lim, the value of a handwoven textile extends far beyond its appearance.

“The value of every element in a handwoven fabric is incalculable,” Lim said. “From the fibers to the dyes, along with the techniques employed, all these represent the culture of a people, a weaving community.”

Each finished piece reflects the traditions, values, customs, and dreams of the people who create it. For many visitors, bringing home a handwoven product means carrying a small part of that cultural story with them.

From Marketplace to a Community of Creators

Now in its 16th year, the Likhang HABI Market Fair has grown far beyond its beginnings as a vibrant marketplace.

Over the years, it has developed into a gathering place where members of the Philippine weaving community can reconnect, exchange ideas, develop new skills, and share their experiences with fellow artisans and entrepreneurs.

HABI President Mia Villanueva describes the fair as something similar to a family reunion.

After more than a decade of bringing together participants from across the country, organizers have witnessed small enterprises grow into established businesses. They have also seen individual weavers develop their ideas into successful brands that now provide employment opportunities for more members of their communities.

Some participants have stepped away temporarily to improve their operations, refine their products, or rethink their business strategies before returning to the fair with stronger collections and more polished presentations.

This sense of growth and collaboration has become one of the defining characteristics of the Likhang HABI Market Fair.

“There is a strong sense of community,” Villanueva said. “We look out for each other. Ideas flow freely.”

The continued exchange of ideas encourages innovation while maintaining respect for the traditions and cultural significance of Philippine weaving.

Learn More About Philippine Weaving at Kwentong Kultura

Beyond shopping and browsing, visitors can also gain a deeper understanding of Philippine textiles through Kwentong Kultura, a series of educational talks held during the fair.

These sessions bring together members of the weaving community and other experts to discuss important topics related to the appreciation, preservation, curation, product development, and entrepreneurship of Philippine textiles.

The talks also provide members of the public with an opportunity to better understand the challenges facing weaving communities today.

For visitors interested in culture, heritage, fashion, and sustainable craftsmanship, Kwentong Kultura offers valuable insight into the work involved in protecting traditional knowledge while helping communities create sustainable livelihoods.

The fair will also feature screenings of acclaimed documentaries on Philippine textiles, including special features produced by GMA News and Public Affairs’ i-Witness.

These films offer another perspective on the people, communities, and traditions behind the country’s textile heritage.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Philippine Weaving

One of the highlights of the 16th Likhang HABI Market Fair will be the opportunity to see entries and winning works from two important weaving competitions.

Guests can view the creations from the 9th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 5th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition.

The competitions celebrate creativity and craftsmanship while encouraging new interpretations of traditional materials and techniques. Their entries also provide an exciting glimpse into the future of Philippine weaving, demonstrating how young and established makers continue to experiment while honoring the heritage behind their craft.

The awarding ceremonies will be held on October 10 and October 11, respectively.

Since their introduction, the competitions have produced striking and imaginative works that highlight the remarkable possibilities of Philippine natural fibers and traditional weaving.

Why Every Thread Matters

At its heart, the Likhang HABI Market Fair reflects the mission of HABI, the Philippine Textile Council, to promote, preserve, and help ensure the continuity of the country’s textile traditions.

Traditional fabrics are not simply decorative materials. They carry the stories of communities shaped by shared histories, environments, beliefs, customs, and traditions.

HABI Chairman Emeritus and CEO Maribel Ongpin emphasized the connection between Philippine textiles and cultural heritage.

“Our traditional fabrics do not exist in a vacuum,” Ongpin said. “These are the expressions of a culture – people who share the same history, environment, values, and traditions.”

Every thread, therefore, serves as a connection between the past and the future.

For visitors, the Likhang HABI Market Fair offers a meaningful way to discover the diversity of Filipino creativity while meeting the people who continue to preserve and reinvent the country’s textile traditions.

Whether you are searching for a distinctive fashion piece, locally made home décor, handmade gifts, or simply a deeper appreciation of Philippine culture, the fair promises a weekend filled with color, creativity, and stories waiting to be discovered.

The 16th Likhang HABI Market Fair will take place from October 9 to 11, 2026, at Level 5, SPACE at One Ayala, Makati City.

With every textile carrying the knowledge, creativity, and heritage of its makers, visitors will be reminded why Filipino craftsmanship is truly worth every thread.

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