A Weaving Heritage

The intricate art of Patadyong weaving has remained unchanged and is still being practiced by Bagtason weavers in Bugasong, Antique. What was once a dying craft and a mere means of livelihood turned into a rich, surviving tradition that became popular not only in Antique, but in the whole Visayas as well.

The age old weaving art of patadyong is still alive through the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association and the community’s effort to educate and encourage the next generations to continue the weaving heritage. 

The patadyong is a pre-Spanish clothing item or loose skirt worn by women in substitute to skirts. In terms of function, it is similar to the “sarong” or “malong” used in Mindanao. But instead of the batik patterns, the patadyong has a checkered, colorful design or patterns.

The final products I saw displayed at the Bagtason Loom Weavers Associations lobby were astonishing in the sense that the detail and intricacy of each finished patadyongs were so complex and stunning.

The women weavers of Bagtason indulged us in trying the process of making one for ourselves. They also explained to us the six stages for this complex process of patadyong making; the measurement (pagsab-ong), the thread arrangement (paglikis), the thread insertion in the binting (pagbinting), the thread insertion in the reed (pagsulod), the thread transfer from cone to talingyasan (pagtalingyas) and final stage which is the weaving part (pagpanara).

Weavers combine different colors of the threads according to the color combination of choice.  For the standard patadyong design, the threads are mixed to capture the tones of nature and also to show personal status. The weaving is done by interlacing the different colors of threads through a wooden handloom which is locally called as “tiral” or “habulan”. Earth colors are a standard pick in making the patadyong: blue, green, yellow are among those.

 The art of patadyong weaving is indeed very intricate. One can’t rush the learning process. It takes time and lot of persistence is needed. Knowing this fact makes you appreciate the patadyong products and its rich heritage more.  The fun is magnified when you first-handedly experience the magic of making simple materials to grand fabrics and handicrafts; to witness the cultivation of an intricate patadyong heritage.

Iririmaw tatun!