Bay-ong Unfinished

Bay-ong made of karagumoy still without the handles dry under the sun in a village backyard in Dancalan while waiting for the handles to be attached. The handle is made also of local organic material with the simplest of design, the utilitarian function is the foremost consideration.

Bobo fish traps made in Bulusan

Unfinished bobo fish traps woven by Inggo, a fisherman/weaver from Dancalan a coastal village of Bulusan, possess already the symmetry and beauty of a beautiful native basket. Its purpose however is for fishing, trapping the local favorite 'turos' fishes abundant in the fishing areas fronting Inggo's village.

Weaving hats can take a life time

A senior citizen weaving hats in  in her simple abode in  Dancalan, a coastal community in Bulusan.

Karagumoy strips are lined up hanging like curtains in the outer part of the house. This means more hats to weave for this elderly day in and day out. Though the actual weaving is almost leisurely which suits the elderly, the preparation of this stripped karagumoy from harvesting of the leaves with saw like spines to the stripping of the karagumoy  is another matter--usually done by the man of the house and his wife.  Considering the price of  only 5pesos  per hat, the patience of the weavers is in itself remarkable.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Lauhala Products made in Bulusan, Philippines

Karagumoy handicrafts  from the Philippines are labeled as lauhala products in the international market. Mostly shipped to the US, Sorsogon has a major chunk in its export according to published export records from the Bureau of Exports. A company exporter based in Sorsogon has a long time history of exporting bacbac, karagumoy and buri products. Designs are patterned according to the preference of the buyers overseas. The above souvenir crafts (photos), however, are made in Bulusan for Manila bazaars.