The fair is held each year to provide a major venue for the local weavers to present their wares. It offers them the opportunity to tap Metro Manila’s consumer market by giving them free space in the show. It also allows them to deal directly with wholesale buyers, foreign buyers, and stores. “This way, the middlemen, who had been buying the products from them at lower rates and selling them at much higher prices, are eliminated," said Ms. Ongpin.

The trade show also opens other lucrative opportunities for the weavers, some of whom have been contracted to supply materials to prominent fashion designers, bag manufacturers, and gift and novelty shops. As a result, more indigenous people are given livelihoods. Many members of the younger generation, often eager to seek employment in the big cities, are thus enticed to stay and engage in the old tradition of weaving. Ultimately, a cultural heritage is saved from extinction and the economies of these communities are given a tremendous boost.

With the fair, HABI is also capturing a market composed of fashion-conscious female shoppers, especially the younger women.  “We also want to attract more fashion designers,” says Ms. Adelaida Lim, the Baguio-based businesswoman and an active member of HABI.  “We want them to discover how these fabrics can be used for contemporary fashion, and not just for traditional costumes.”

The participation of the weavers from the ASEAN communities may also open new doors for their local counterparts, said Ms. Ongpin. “The weavers from each country can learn from each other and they may have the opportunity to tap each other’s markets,” she said.

On the other hand, the fair isn’t just about selling a product, it’s also about educating the public on the use of earth-friendly raw materials, sustainability, and preserving old traditions. During the three-day event, HABI is presenting various programs that will impart the organization’s advocacies in  an entertaining way. A fashion show highlighting the woven fabrics promise to impress shoppers and mall goers. There will also be an exhibit featuring the textile art of the Filipina-French artist Olivia d’Aboville, and the works of the winners of the Lourdes Montinola Weaving Competition. Other highlights are workshops and lectures on sustainability, and a tribal food lounge.