Silk breakthrough that kept La Herminia's weaving tradition alive

Posted on October 21, 2026 | Hits: 118 | Category: Uncategorized

Rooted in the rich textile heritage of Aklan, La Herminia Weaving and Arts Incorporated has spent nearly three decades preserving the art of piña handloom weaving while championing the possibilities of indigenous fibers and Filipino craftsmanship. Recognized for its role in sustaining Aklan's piña weaving tradition, an element of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity framework, the family-led enterprise has also become a steadfast advocate for the development of the Philippine silk industry.

Based in Kalibo, Aklan, and led by the Tumbokon family, La Herminia Piña Weaving creates handwoven textiles that bring together traditional craftsmanship and contemporary sensibilities. Its collections span intricately woven barongs, Filipiniana ensembles, and accessories crafted from indigenous and natural fibers, including piña, abaca, cotton, and silk, as well as their distinctive blends.

What began in 1996 with just one weaver under the guidance of matriarch Herminia Meñez Tumbokon gradually grew into a thriving weaving enterprise. Within the following three years, the business had engaged nearly 130 weavers, creating livelihood opportunities that helped sustain both local artisans and their communities.

Beyond piña, the introduction of silk became a pivotal chapter in La Herminia's journey. Around 1997, the company established a connection with Ang Puno, a silk supplier based in Bulacan. The partnership provided silk fibers that could be blended with piña, giving rise to the brand's piña seda line.

This innovation proved instrumental in advancing the company's product development while addressing a practical challenge faced by its weavers at the time. Working with pure piña can be demanding, as the delicate fibers are prone to breakage when knots are not properly secured. Blending piña with silk made the weaving process more manageable, encouraging more local weavers to stay engaged in the craft.

Through this, La Herminia found a way to preserve a traditional textile practice while expanding the possibilities of locally sourced materials.

Yet despite the painstaking craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and distinctly Filipino heritage behind La Herminia's creations, silk fabrics continue to be perceived by many consumers as premium, often placing them beyond the reach of the wider market.

For Alan M. Tumbokon, son of Herminia M. Tumbokon and the company's current manager, understanding the value of silk means looking beyond the finished fabric. It requires recognizing every person and every stage of production, from the farmers who cultivate mulberry trees to the workers involved in sericulture and silk reeling.

“We have to consider the cost of production, including the farmers who grow mulberry trees and those involved in sericulture, whether in rearing silkworms or producing cocoons. We want farmers to benefit from the industry as well. We cannot simply demand lower prices if doing so comes at the expense of their livelihoods. Farmers must be part of the equation, and their earnings should be sufficient to ensure that they receive at least a minimum wage,” Tumbokon explains.

He further emphasizes that the nature of piña seda production makes fair compensation essential. While machines are used in certain stages of silk processing, much of the work behind the finished textile remains in the hands of skilled artisans. For La Herminia, preserving the craft means protecting not only the finished product but also the people whose knowledge and labor bring it to life.

“Piña seda is largely handmade. It is only in working with silk that we use machinery. As much as possible, we want everyone involved in the process, including the farmers, to earn a fair and sufficient income. Otherwise, they may be forced to seek other means of livelihood. We want to protect not only manufacturers like ourselves but also those at the very beginning of the production chain. They, too, should benefit from their work. This is how we can keep the industry alive, because this is a legacy we inherited from our ancestors,” he shares.

As the Philippines continues to strengthen its domestic silk industry, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) is set to spearhead the 7th Philippine Silk Summit, happening on 21–22 October 2026, at the Forest Wing, Camp John Hay, Baguio City. Anchored on the theme Championing the SEDA Pilipinas Innovation Ecosystem, the summit advances the vision of a self-reliant Philippine silk industry.

More than a gathering of industry stakeholders, the summit serves as a platform for advancing SEDA Pilipinas as an innovation ecosystem, one that mobilizes communities, generates sustainable livelihoods, empowers women, safeguards the environment, and fuels the country's creative industries.

The two-day event will feature a series of engagements, including the Opening Ceremony, KatHABI: The ASEAN Silk Expo, the 5th SEDA Pilipinas Consortium Meeting, the Silk Farmers and Weavers' Forum, Stakeholders' Night, the 2026 Gawad SEDA Pilipinas, Plenary Session 1: Global Silk Connection, and Plenary Session 2: Advancing Cross-Sector Partnerships. Local and international industry experts are expected to convene to exchange insights, strengthen collaborations, and address pressing challenges and opportunities in the Philippine silk and textile sectors.

With decades of experience in the textile market and recognition from both local and international circles, La Herminia Piña Weaving continues to look toward new opportunities for growth. Through the Philippine Silk Summit, the enterprise hopes to expand its market reach, forge strategic partnerships, and explore new avenues for collaboration. More importantly, it sees the gathering as an opportunity to support the development of sericulture in Aklan, bringing silk production closer to home while learning from the experiences and innovations of participating countries.

As the Philippine silk movement gains momentum, the Tumbokon family's story stands as a reminder that the true luxury of a handwoven textile lies not only in its beauty, but also in the generations of knowledge, labor, and livelihood.

For La Herminia, the future of silk is not simply about producing a more exquisite fabric. It is about building an industry in which heritage and innovation coexist, where local materials find new expressions, and where the people behind every fabric share in the rewards of their craft.