The British Council, Forest Foundation Philippines, its grantees and partners celebrated the culmination of the Woven Networks program through the opening exhibit “ReSTORYation: Weaving Creators, Communities and Connections,” mounted at the UP CHE Museum in the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Woven Networks Scoping Grants, established in 2021, aim to initiate new collaborations and support projects promoting Indigenous knowledge systems to boost sustainable resource management and the improved livelihood of craft communities.

By highlighting the grantees’ stories, the exhibit invites audiences to see the rich culture of the Philippines’ weaving communities and understand the multitude of human stories behind every craft.

Woven Networks supported grantees who worked across different forest landscapes and islands in the Philippines such as Isabela, Bukidnon, Samar, Leyte and Palawan, exploring opportunities for makers, understanding their craft and how they sourced their materials in the forest, and finding ways to support their work sustainably.

The exhibit displays a variety of works, showcasing the expertise of each of the grantees’ partner communities. In the case of bamboo fabrics woven by Isabela’s Indigenous Enabel Craft and their partner social enterprise Panublix, for instance, the bamboo-blended cotton fabrics tells the journey of the bamboo, from plant to woven textile.

At the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to feel the texture of the handwoven textiles and provide feedback through an online form. Each creation speaks of the creativity, ingenuity and resilience of the human spirit and the people’s connection to the land and the world.

Grantee Emmanuelle Andaya worked with the Kalandang Higaonon Weavers in Bukidnon, also called Peace Weavers, with the weaves traditionally given as peace offerings during tribal and personal conflicts.

Woven products from Samar and Leyte, in collaboration with British-Filipino designer Diana Auria, are also on display, alongside a short documentary film commemorating the 10th anniversary of super typhoon “Yolanda” and the stories of resilience of the communities.

For a hands-on weaving experience, LifeCollege Inc., along with UK collaborators and weavers from Aborlan, Palawan, created DIY weaving kits for visitors to create their own handcrafted coasters.

On top of the exhibit, grantees will also roll out educational programs to support further learning for artists and enthusiasts.

HerStore will be hosting a webinar on Conversation on Conservation and Craftsmanship on 8 February, while Nola Andaya will have a walkthrough at the CHE Museum Exhibit Hall on 9 February. Further details will be shared on the British Council’s social media pages.

The ReSTORYation Exhibit runs until 11 March at the UP CHE Costume Museum, UP Diliman.