(Mandaluyong City, September 7) … The much-awaited Likhang Habi Market Fair (LHMF) returns to SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City from October 9 to 11, 2026. With the theme “Worth Every Thread”, the fair promises a weekend of inspired designs that celebrates the best of Filipino artistry, heritage, and the future of Filipino textiles.
The flagship project of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, the three-day event brings under one roof a carefully curated selection of 100 exhibitors including weavers, artisans, designers, makers, and textile advocates. Represented are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from all over the country.
The participants will be presenting not only their latest designs and greatest hits but some of the finest examples of various weaving techniques and their contemporary, fashionable applications. Visitors can expect a variety of inabel from Ilocos, suksok from Aklan, and t’nalak from Cotabato to name a few. They can also watch out for creative applications of textiles made of traditional fibers such as abaca and pineapple.
“The value of every element in a handwoven fabric is incalculable,” declared
HABI President Emeritus Adelaida Lim. “From the fibers to the dyes along with the techniques employed, all these represent the culture of a people, a weaving community. Their values, their customs, their traditions, and their dreams are all infused within each strand and we get to hold all of that in our hands when we bring home their products. And that is truly worth every thread!”
Now on its 16th year, the Fair has evolved from a vibrant marketplace to a thriving
sanctuary where weaving communities gather, share stories, exchange ideas, upgrade skills and contribute to the collective wisdom for the next generation.
“In a way, the Likhang HABI Market Fair has become like a family reunion,” said
Mia Villanueva, HABI’s current President. “We all know each other or are familiar with each other’s work. After a decade and a half, we’ve witnessed small enterprises with just a handful of products grow into a full-range boutique. We’ve seen a weaver with no background in design start with just one basic item bloom into a serious business that employs many weavers.
Others would skip a year or two to fix their systems and figure out their plan, then return with improved products and better packaging.
“There is a strong sense of community,” Mia continued. “We look out for each other. Ideas flow freely. And there is a sense of openness to new ways of doing things as long as the weaving culture and tradition is respected. We are working hard to ensure that the 16th edition of the Fair will continue fostering this supportive environment.”
It is in this spirit that the Kwentong Kultura is held within the Fair. These educational talks provide a venue for members of the weaving community to discuss topics on the appreciation, preservation, curation, product development, and entrepreneurship related to Philippine textiles. Furthermore, it gives opportunities for the rest of the public to listen and understand these pressing issues that the weaving communities are facing.
To further provide perspective and information, there will be a screening of celebrated documentary films related to Philippine textiles including special documentary features produced by i-Witness of GMA News and Public Affairs.
Apart from the exhibitors, guests will get to see up close the entries and winning pieces from the 9th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving and 5th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competitions. Awarding will be held on October 10 and 11 respectively. Truly one of the highlights of the Fair, the competitions offer a glimpse into the future of weaving and have yielded breathtaking results since their inception.
Indeed, Likhang HABI Market Fair has come to represent HABI: The Philippine Textile Council’s purpose to promote, preserve and ensure the continuity of our textile traditions.
“Our traditional fabrics do not exist in a vacuum,” said HABI Chairman Emeritus and CEO Maribel Ongpin. “These are the expressions of a culture – people who share the same history, environment, values, and traditions. Thus, every thread is a link to our treasured past. We are excited to welcome everyone to the Likhang HABI Market Fair to renew these links and strengthen our ties as we weave our future.”
The 16th Likhang Habi Market Fair is slated October 9-11, 2026, Level 5, SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City.
