Staff
reporter
PAOAY, Ilocos Norte—The next
time you buy your “Abel Iloko” (handwoven cloth) product, chances are these may
have become more intricate and stylish that goes with modern style.
Leading the way in
reinventing the modern fashionista style of unique abel products in Paoay town are some 10 highly-skilled women from
the Nagbacalan Loomweavers Mutlipurpose Cooperative (NLMC) who learned the new
designs courtesy of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University.
In partnership with the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its implementer,
the Research Triangle Institute, MMSU professor Ciriaco Ragual said they
produced the new patterns and designs transferred to the Paoay loom-weavers by
employing mathematical procedures.
They showcased the new
designs and patterns at the University Guest House in Batac City on August 10, 2017.
Under a memorandum of
agreement between MMSU representatives and the NLMC, both parties agreed to
come up with modern loomweaving designs meant to improve the textile heritage
of Ilocos Norte and make it more competitive in the global market.
For her part, Dr. Prima Fe
Franco, MMSU officer-in-charge said, “This is a big step towards improving the
quality of local products that are already part of the Ilocano tradition and
identity.”
To date, the College of
Industrial Technology based in Paoay campus is equip with several weaving looms
where interested groups may conduct research to further improve the designs.
According to Ms. Franco, the
university facilitates the procurement of other equipment, supplies and
materials including the maintenance cost needed by loomweaving facilities.
The NLMPC also assists the
university in recruiting trainees who will fine tune their skills to produce
quality abel products aside from
serving as resource persons in future loom-weavers training programs to
transfer said technology to others.
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