The Hablon Industry: The Case of Three Business Owners in Iloilo

Abstract

The importance of weaving has been deeply ingrained among the Ilonggos and handed down from generation to generation. Iloilo has a rich and extensive history of weaving textiles known as Hablon. The weaving has been practiced for centuries, and the industry has undergone developments before and after the decline of the Hablon industry. Recently, there has been a growing demand and popularity for hablon textiles sold as products in the market. This led to the emergence of business owners who have become middlemen in selling Hablon fabric in Iloilo by incorporating the textile into a modern style of fashion and designs. Despite the substantial support and vigorous efforts of the agents of the industry, Hablon has yet to receive a stronger strategy for the revival of the industry. Using primary and secondary materials, careful observation, documented photos, and interviews of the key informants, strategies used by business owners in the production process of hablon products were analyzed. The research was carried out using Porter’s Value Chain framework and Rumelt’s Principle of Strategy Evaluation approaches. Moreover, this research examined the negotiations between business owners involved in the production of Hablon products to determine its potential for revitalizing the weaving industry. As our society progresses and develops, hablon needs to adapt and embody these changes to maintain its relevance as a culture and tradition.