Great news for our local weaving communities! HABI: The Philippine Textile Council has officially opened the call for entries for two of the most awaited textile competitions in the country: the 9th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 5th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition.
These annual contests are more than just a search for the best fabric—they are a beautiful way to safeguard, celebrate, and level up the incredible artistry of Filipino handwoven textiles.
The highlight of the upcoming 16th Likhang Habi Market Fair, which will run from October 9 to 11, 2026, at Space at One Ayala in Makati City, these competitions serve as a grand stage for our local weavers to showcase their mastery and innovation. Over the years, they have truly become vital platforms for honoring the intricate craft of piña and abaca weaving, a heritage deeply woven into our national identity.
“The most encouraging aspect of these weaving competitions is the response of the weavers themselves—how they rise imaginatively to the challenge,” shares Adelaida Lim, HABI President Emeritus. “Each entry piece is pure delight. I always look forward to the surprises.”
Honoring Masters and Preserving Traditions
The Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition pays tribute to the exceptional craftsmanship of pineapple fiber weaving. Named after the iconic educator and cultural advocate, this competition accepts entries that are at least two meters long in the following categories:
- Liniwan: Plain weave showcasing fineness and technical excellence.
- Pure Piña: Highlighting the natural beauty of pure piña fiber.
- Natural Fiber Blends: Encouraging innovation by mixing piña with silk (seda), jusi, cotton, or abaca.
Meanwhile, the Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition was born out of the love of Dom Martin Gomez, OSB (formerly the haute couture designer Gang Gomez) and his siblings for their mother’s dedication to traditional attire. For this contest, entries must be made of 100% abaca, measure at least two meters, and fit into these categories:
- Resist Dye on Abaca: Featuring beautiful ikat and resist-dye techniques.
- Abaca Craft: Showcasing intricate handiwork like macramé, crochet, tatting, and bobbin lace.
- Abaca Nipis: Recognizing sheer, fine, and expertly woven abaca cloth.
Big Prizes and Bigger Inspiration
Aside from cash prizes and special citations for category winners, participants also have a chance to take home two major distinctions: the Nadres Young Weaver Award and the Filip + Inna Innovation Award, which recognize fresh talent and creative modern twists.
An esteemed panel of judges from fashion, textile arts, heritage conservation, and academe—including the heirs of Lourdes Montinola and Eloisa Hizon Gomez—will carefully evaluate each masterpiece. Last year, the competition saw amazing wins from talented weavers nationwide, including Rosemarie Loveras, Melanie Palmon, and Raquel Eliserio for Piña, alongside Ulaniban Laginan, Myra Iledan, Arlene Yamog, and Arnie I. Almero for Abaca.
HABI Chairman Emeritus Maribel Ongpin expressed her excitement for this year’s submissions, noting how inspiring it is to see traditional designs enhanced by modern decorative ideas. “We hope that many traditional weavers will join and that many younger weavers will be inspired to join, too,” she says. “The combination of young and old, tradition and innovation, is always exciting.”
How to Join
The competition is open to all Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines. Ready to send in your masterpiece? You can deliver your entries to the HABI Office at 962 May Street, Mandaluyong City. Deadline for submission is August 15, 2026.
For full competition guidelines and to download the entry forms, just visit the official HABI website at www.habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com.