Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HIGHLIGHTS PH WEAVES AND FOSTERS DIALOGUE AROUND CULTURE, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
2025-10-17
17 October 2025 — To commemorate National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in partnership with Hibla Philippines and Likha Filipino Cultural Hub, successfully brought together fashion design faculty and students, Philippine- and Canada-based social entrepreneurs supporting the Filipino weaving and textile industry, and members of Filipino indigenous communities in Toronto last 10 October 2025.
Dubbed Toronto PCG x Hibla PH: Weaving Stories, Communities and Economies, the two-part event began with a weaving workshop led by Hibla PH Founder & Director, Ms. Nice Marquez, who shared insights into the Philippines’ centuries-old weaving tradition and the communities of mostly women behind them. Faculty members and students of fashion design from George Brown College, OCAD University, Seneca Polytechnic, and Toronto Metropolitan University tried their hand at painstakingly weaving the binakol — one of over 200 Philippine indigenous weaves originating from the Ilocos region of northern Philippines known for its geometric, optical pattern believed to ward off evil.
Two panel discussions followed, exploring how social enterprises, academia, and cultural organizations can support indigenous communities. Ms Marquez underscored Hibla PH’s commitment to empowering the local artisan communities under its wing, She also acknowledged the support of the Philippine government through the Department of Science and Technology’s Php 5 million-grant in helping advance their mission.
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Igorot entrepreneur Analyn Aryo shared how her venture, INAbelution responds to the diaspora’s growing desire to reconnect with their roots. Hibla is also doing its part towards fostering connections for the Filipino diaspora and indigenous communities by expanding its reach through its local affiliate, Hibla PH Canada based in Edmonton, Alberta led by Kaedee Fythe.
Rosa Fracassa, Associate Dean of the School of Fashion and Jewellery of George Brown College’s Fashion Exchange (FX), talked about how FX is bridging the academe, industry, and community together in Toronto through its education, research, and production arms. With Ontario government funding, community members, including immigrants and refugees, learn practical, employable skills through FX’s Women in Fashion Technology, Industrial Power Sewing, and Apparel Fit Technician certificate programs.
Gretchen Shagami Mangahas, speaking as both Indigenous Community Leader & Organizer and Co-Founder of Likha Filipino Cultural Hub, tied the discussion with a parting reminder that honoring heritage must begin with engaging its cultural stewards.
The panel discussions were interspersed with cultural performances by Ontario-based members of indigenous communities from the Cordillera region led by BIBAK Toronto, the Mt. Province Association of Canada, and the Tanudan Association of Ontario. The performance culminated with a communal Kalinga Banga dance.
Guests later mingled over displays of woven garments, accessories, and native delicacies prepared by Kanto by Tita Flips / Mindanao Filipino Halal Food and Graze Oasis.
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Hibla PH is a women & youth-led social enterprise dedicated to preserving and promoting the beauty of traditional Filipino weaves while creating economic opportunities for Filipino artisans and seamstresses. Hibla PH works with 12 communities across the Philippines, from the weavers of Kalinga to the embroiderers of Abra, producing modern, high-quality, handcrafted textiles that tell stories of heritage and pride.
Likha Filipino Cultural Hub is a Canada-based cultural enterprise that brings vibrant gathering spaces to empower and invest in Filipino creatives for heritage preservation, revitalization, and sustainability, fostering a community of intercultural exchange and understanding.
George Brown College’s Fashion Exchange is a vibrant hub where fashion education, design, production, entrepreneurship and engagement come together under one roof in the heart of downtown Toronto. FX brings together fashion educators, industry partners, community organizations, and fashion graduates to innovate for an increasingly sustainable, socially-conscious, and economically vibrant fashion industry.
INAbelution is a Toronto-based social enterprise recently established to showcase and promote Igorot weaves.
