Basey’s tikog weavers keep a tradition alive

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – Adelina Gatmatan learned mat weaving from her mother when she was six years old. Now 68, majority most of her days are spent in a workshop, with her tikog on the floor, creating rolls upon rolls of the sleeping mat that has put her town of Basey on the map.

Unlike in Gatmatan’s days of yore, tikog mats no longer end up on the floor.

Mana Adelina’s handwoven mats, which are made into bags by her boss, have been on trade shows in Germany, China and Singapore.

In Eva Marie Adona’s workshop, the mats are embroidered with floral and geometric designs and made into bags, throw pillows and other home décor that are sold in and outside of the Philippines.

Many women in Basey earn their income weaving tikog mats.

In Barangay Guirang, 10 kilometers northeast of Basey town proper, the Guirang Women’s Association makes souvenir items from the banig they weave.

“Tourists visiting the Sohoton Cave pass by looking for souvenir items so we made banig fridge magnets and slippers,” Jennifer Suyom said.

Suyom lost her husband when Typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013, leaving her to support and care for their four children.

After the devastation came aid in the form of training and equipment from religious and government organizations.

Sixty-seven-year-old Amparo Senal, another mat weaver, said Yolanda was her worst nightmare, but she too could not deny the deluge of opportunities it brought to weavers like her.

The women take turns in weaving and embroidering mats.

Many weavers are found in the barangays but those who embroider are in the poblacion. "Pagpahot" is their term for embroidery. The banig then transforms into different gift and novelty items found in the pasalubong centers, trade fairs in the metropolis and abroad.