“What’s in A Bag?”: Interpreting The Dreams Of The Bag-Weaving Moms Of Tondo

In hopes of promoting and preserving Filipino culture, these bag-weaving moms from Tondo get to work with the help of Brazillian expat Rosa Hibbert.

What’s in a bag? — when a bag “speaks” to us, it does so through its design, craftsmanship, and name. Each woven bag receives a portion of the designer’s heart and soul; the same applies to the many Philippine artisan moms of Tondo who learned how to weave from the skilled and artistic women of their clan. However, the rise of fast fashion and mass production disheartened many of them, forcing them to live below the poverty line because their skills were seen as obsolete.

But so long as someone like Brazillian expat Rosa Hibbert believes that their bags are Not A Daydream, we can help preserve Filipino culture, lift these moms out of poverty, and give their kids a fighting chance for quality education.

How Weaving is a Soul-Filled Family Legacy

Weaving is an integral part of Philippine art and culture, showcasing the various lifestyle aspects in the different provinces with their various colors. Some like the T’boli’s glimmering Tinalak weave still hold a sacred aspect to its creation, representing the rituals and the dialogues between the T’boli and their spiritual guardian, Fu Dalu. The dizzying Inabel weave’s patterns, on the other hand, reflect Ilocos’ protective nature, showcasing their desire to ward evil spirits away from their wearers.

But the techniques don’t just grow out of the ground. Daughters as young as 7 years old are often depicted observing their mothers and grandmothers working the loom in their homes, eventually picking up the basics to further the craft. While weaving is one of the few components that enriches Filipino culture, there’s still a need to convince others of the beauty one sees in each bespoke creation.

Today, fashion has been finding ways to integrate weaving into various bespoke pieces. From fashion pieces to home decor, a woven bag is just one of the manifests of protecting and preserving a family-driven skillful tradition.

Making Sure That Kids Don’t Need to Work

We still live in a painful reality wherein kids need to quit school in order to contribute to the family’s income. But when their parents’ income becomes stable, the kids can finally do what they should: chase their own dreams. “When parents have a job and an income, their children will be more likely to go to school since they are less needed for income generation. Education is key to improving the standard of living and quality of life,” writes Rosa Hibbert on the social enterprise’s website.

These woven bags garner the respect even of couturiers who know the effort and hard work poured into creating them. Plus, it’s a warm feeling to realize that the weavers — many of them who are moms — get to provide for their children and reconnect with their own mothers and grandmothers who have passed the craft down to them.

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