Araneta City, JAAF expand support for Filipino weavers through HIBLA

 

Araneta City and its corporate social responsibility arm, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), are launching HIBLA: Tradition Woven Forward, a reimagined cultural initiative that expands its annual trade fair into a broader, future‑forward program supporting Filipino weavers and preserving indigenous textile traditions.

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“Hibla, meaning ‘fiber’ or ‘strand,’ perfectly encapsulates the essence of what we aim to achieve,” said Diane Romero, Executive Director of JAAF. “Each thread tells a story—of our history, our communities, and our future.”

HIBLA builds on the legacy of Habi Fiesta!, which was held in 2024 and 2025 as a stand‑alone trade fair at Gateway Mall 1, Araneta City. For 2026, Araneta City and JAAF are expanding the initiative into a program that supports weavers beyond the marketplace.

The expanded program introduces capacity‑building opportunities, creative collaborations, and recognition platforms designed to help artisans sustain and grow their practice in a modern economy. This marks a strategic shift toward a holistic platform that strengthens artisan communities while bringing Philippine weaving to contemporary audiences.

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“HIBLA honors a legacy rooted in our founder, J. Amado Araneta, through the spirit of ‘Tradition Woven Forward,’” Romero said. “We are not only preserving heritage, but actively propelling it into modern relevance by opening market access, bringing indigenous textiles to the mainstream, and inspiring new applications that ensure their lasting impact.”

The centerpiece of HIBLA is the three‑day Weavers’ Fair, set from May 15 to 17, 2026, at the Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2. Open to the public, the fair will showcase a diverse range of Filipino handwoven textiles and products directly from partner weaver communities.

Proceeds from the Weavers’ Fair will benefit the Gateway Gallery, the art museum of Araneta City, helping support its 2027 public programs and reinforcing the City’s commitment to accessible cultural spaces.

Beyond the retail fair, HIBLA also includes:

 Capacity‑building sessions and workshops offering training in branding and digital

storytelling

 HIBLA limited‑edition merchandise, translating traditional patterns into modern,

functional designs

 The HIBLA Awards, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, storytelling, and visual

presentation

“Through HIBLA, we invite Filipinos to engage with Philippine textiles beyond simply shopping,” Romero said. “It is an invitation to be part of a living legacy—one that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in tradition.”

Celebrate and experience the colors of handwoven fabrics at Habi Fiesta!

 

Our handwoven crafts carry the rich story of our culture. Every thread carries the collective memory of our people, shaped by our experience and heritage, passed on through generations to tell the tales of our race. Each piece reflects an identity, connecting the past with the present through colors, patterns, and techniques that showcase a particular legacy.

This May, traditional woven handicrafts will take centerstage at Habi Fiesta!, a three-day celebration of culture organized by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) through the Gateway Gallery. Happening from May 16 to 18 at the Gateway Mall 1 Activity Area, the event highlights indigenous weaving practices and the communities that preserve them.

”Habi Fiesta! is our way of preserving and highlighting the rich and diverse weaving practice all over our archipelago,” Diane Romero, Executive Director of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation. “Through this event, we’re bringing the beauty and cultural importance of these products closer to patrons here at the heart of the metro.”

Now in its second year, Habi Fiesta! returns with a broader selection of weavers and a renewed commitment to honoring Philippine textile heritage. The event gathers weavers, designers, and artisans from select parts of the country.

This year’s roster includes Abel Kan Burda Ta Ka Itnegan (Abra), Namarabar Ethnic Products (Abra), Pinangga Ethnic Hand Embroidery (NCR), Rhea Yang’s Art Shop and Project Payatas PH (from Quezon City), La Herminia Piña Weaving (from Iloilo), Laga Weaving Creations (from Kalinga Province), Abella’s House of Crafts (from Ifugao); Angie’s Yakan (from Zamboanga); Andrea Aswigue (from Isabela), Namarabar Ethic Crafts and Antiques (from Abra), and Malaybalay Choice Handicrafts (from Bukidnon).

Guests can also witness some weaving demonstrations courtesy of the participating weavers. The demo will run all three days of the fair. This will give the guests a more intimate look into the dedication and skill that goes into the weaving process.

Habi Fiesta! aims to support Gateway Gallery’s arts and culture programs and serves as JAAF’s annual flagship initiative in celebration of National Heritage Month. The event also introduces convenient digital payment options, including GCash and Maya, making it easier for guests to support local artisans and bring home pieces that carry meaning and memory.

Habi Fiesta! is a colorful invitation to all to reconnect with their heritage by admiring, patronizing, and connecting with the weavers. It is an inspiring feast to support and wear our heritage. See you at Habi Fiesta! year 2!

For more information about the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, please visit https://jaaf.aranetacity.com/. You may also like and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JAmadoAranetaFoundation/.

Filipino traditional woven products take center stage at Habi Fiesta! 2025

 

The Philippines prides itself on the creativity of our people, from colorful paintings that depict the joy of our everyday life to music that captures the spirit of our nation. These art forms reflect the beauty of our culture and highlight the awe-inspiring talent of our countrymen.

One of the most important cultural treasures of the Filipino people is our handwoven fabrics crafted through the centuries by indigenous artisans from across many parts of the archipelago. Fabrics like Inabel of Ilocos, T’nalak of Cotabato, and Yakan of Basilan tell the story of our people—with each fiber, every warp and weft, creating a dazzling tapestry of culture, tradition, and artistry.

To celebrate the rich weaving tradition of our people, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) through the Gateway Gallery is once again holding Habi Fiesta!, an annual fair devoted to Philippine weave and its by-products. The event which takes place from May 16 to 18 at the Gateway Mall 1 Activity Area will bring together vendors of Filipino woven fabric and its products from various weaving communities.

“Habi Fiesta! is our way of celebrating the Heritage Month of May,” Christine Diane Romero, Executive Director of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation said. “Our woven fabrics created by indigenous weavers from various parts of the country are some of the most important symbols of our heritage. It is an enduring tradition handed down over generations that links us directly to the past. These are reminders of the dazzling vibrancy of our culture and the undeniable talent of our people.”

The event is a flagship initiative that supports JAAF’s culture and arts program which is anchored to the Gateway Gallery, the art museum of Araneta City. This year’s edition of Habi Fiesta! features a wider selection of vendors, side activities such as weaving demonstration, and more accessible payment with the vendors’ use of popular digital payment methods.

Some of the participating sellers this year are: Abel Kan Burda Ta Ka Itnegan (Abra), Namarabar Ethnic Products (Abra), Laga Weaving Creations, and Abella's House of Crafts (Ifugao).

“This event brings together weavers from all over the Philippines to showcase the best the country can offer. We are excited to showcase their products and have more Filipinos see the artistry and talent of our weavers. Each item that you’ll see here is part of the story of who we are as a people, and wearing or using products made from these fabrics is a statement of support and pride for our artisans. We hope you can come and visit Habi Fiesta! and celebrate this important part of our culture and heritage,” Ms. Romero concluded.

For more information about Habi Fiesta! Please visit and follow the pages of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (website https://jaaf.aranetacity.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JAmadoAranetaFoundation/.) and Gateway Gallery (website: gatewaygallery.ph, Facebook: GatewayGalleryPh).

J. Amado Araneta Foundation Recognized wins top nod from USAID

 

The J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) was named the Most Supportive Private Sector Partner during the Gabi ng Parangal sa Pagpupunyagi at Pag-alpas, an awards ceremony by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Opportunity 2.0, held on November 13, 2024, at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

The foundation received the honor for its commitment to empowering out-of-school youth through innovative programs and partnerships, which also contribute to business growth and innovation.

"This recognition shows the power of collaboration,” Diane Romero, JAAF Executive Director said “We firmly believe that the young people we engage through this program are not merely potential employees; rather, they represent the future innovators and contributors who will drive our economy forward. By investing in their potential, we are fostering a generation of leaders who will shape the future."

JAAF Most Supportive Private Sector Partner

JAAF’s flagship initiative, the Immersion Link for Enablers and Adapters Program (iLEAP), was a standout in fostering second-chance education systems in the Philippines. In collaboration with USAID Opportunity 2.0, iLEAP equips out-of-school youth with skills that prepare them for meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods. The foundation shares this accolade with Pizza Hut Philippines, which provides immersive opportunities for out-of-school youth, enabling them to gain real-world work experience.

“Through the iLEAP initiative, we have witnessed the transformative power of second chances. These opportunities have the potential to not only change individual lives but also to uplift entire communities. We are honored to collaborate with USAID and our esteemed partners in this endeavor, as we collectively strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the chance to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face,” Romero added.

Romero was joined at the event by Glenda Carlota, JAAF Deputy Director, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who also expressed support for initiatives aimed at uplifting the youth. USAID Opportunity 2.0 supports systems in the Philippines to provide second-chance education to 180,000 out-of-school youth across 15 cities, leading to their successful employment and livelihoods.

“Recognizing the capabilities of out-of-school youth and providing them with avenues to succeed benefits not just the individuals but the entire community,” Romero added. “This award inspires us to continue building pathways for success and inclusion.”

The USAID Opportunity 2.0 program acknowledged JAAF’s efforts in seamlessly integrating youth- focused initiatives into broader business strategies, making it a model for how private sector partners can drive both social impact and innovation.

For more information about the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, please visit /https://jamadoaranetafoundation.org. You may also like and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JAmadoAranetaFoundation/.