Tubigon, Bohol — On September 9, 2025, the Nueva Vizcaya delegation on its Trade Techno Mission – Benchmarking Activity visited the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, a community-based enterprise committed to sustaining the centuries-old raffia weaving tradition while innovating its applications for the global market.
The Tubigon Raffia Gallery was established to empower local weavers and provide a platform to elevate raffia—a fiber derived from the shoots of the buri palm, which grows abundantly in Bohol. The material is organic, renewable, and highly sustainable, making it not only environmentally friendly but also a vital source of livelihood for many households in Tubigon.
Raffia weaving, historically practiced by women as men engaged in farming, fishing, and trading, has been a lifeline of local communities since the early 1900s. The gallery envisions bringing this indigenous craft to the global stage by promoting raffia’s use in architecture, interior design, and everyday necessities, while ensuring that traditional weaving knowledge continues to thrive.
The Nueva Vizcaya delegates were introduced to the weaving process—from the harvesting and drying of buri fibers to their dyeing and eventual transformation into intricate patterns on handlooms. The visit underscored the value of labor-intensive craftsmanship and the community’s resilience in sustaining the art form.
The delegation also learned how the Tubigon Raffia Gallery collaborates with designers and innovators to explore contemporary uses of raffia, positioning it not only as a cultural heritage product but also as a sustainable alternative in the global fashion and design industry.
As reported in Vogue Philippines, Bohol designers and raffia artisans have been redefining the craft by incorporating it into modern lifestyle products. This creative expansion showcases how indigenous weaving technologies can remain relevant and competitive while preserving tradition.
For the Nueva Vizcaya delegates, the learning visit highlighted the intersection of culture, sustainability, and enterprise development. Raffia weaving provides not only economic opportunities for rural families but also contributes to environmental sustainability by maximizing a renewable resource.
This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
By benchmarking with the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, the Nueva Vizcaya delegation envisions strengthening their own province’s creative industries through a balance of tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
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