Maybank Foundation, Anthill to open weaving training centre in Philipines
KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank Foundation and Anthill Fabric Gallery have marked a milestone with the groundbreaking of a weaving training centre in Argao, Cebu in the Philippines.
This is Maybank Women Eco-Weavers' (MWEW) first training centre in the Philippines and the programme's expansion into a fifth Asean nation, following earlier successful implementations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos.
Set for completion by the end of July 2025, the Argao centre will serve as a flagship facility dedicated to weaving training, skills development, and the advancement of zero-waste weaving techniques, aimed at preserving cultural heritage while integrating sustainable innovations.
Maybank Foundation chief executive officer Izlyn Ramli said in its first year in the Philippines, the programme targets the training of 50 women weavers and the support of 10 abaca farmers.
This will establish the foundation for a community-driven circular economy that blends traditional practices with modern innovation.
"This centre is more than infrastructure, it is a launchpad for transformation. It will equip women in Argao with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive, while ensuring that their textile traditions continue to flourish.
"This expansion also reflects the programme's role in raising the floor of socio-economic inclusion across Asean, ensuring that underserved communities gain not only visibility, but also meaningful access to livelihoods, heritage preservation, and resilient ecosystems, where opportunities are made available to all," she said.
Looking ahead, a new training centre is set to be established in Bukidnon province, envisioned as an all-in-one facility that will combine weaving, natural dye techniques, and fibre production, emphasising the use of abaca and other indigenous materials.
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