03/06/2026
๐ฎ๐น๐ฐ๐ต๐ซ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐
๐ป๐ฏ๐น๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐บ ๐ถ๐ญ ๐ถ๐ท๐ท๐ถ๐น๐ป๐ผ๐ต๐ฐ๐ป๐: ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ต๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐
In every thread woven by the Blaan community of Matanao, Davao del Sur lies a story of identity, heritage, and pride. More than a traditional attire, the Blaan tribal dress symbolizes the community's ancestral roots, cultural recognition, and enduring legacy passed from one generation to another.
Recognizing the importance of preserving this endangered craft, the Department of Science and Technology Davao Region (DOST Davao Region), through the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program, conducted a SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping activity in Matanao, where community-developed innovations are identified and documented. Through community immersion and consultations, the Blaan tribal dress was identified as a grassroots innovation under the category of Endangered Craftsโa community-developed innovation that embodies indigenous knowledge, creativity, and cultural identity.
To support and sustain this innovation, DOST Davao Region provided a handloom weaving machine in 2022 as part of its leveraging interventions. The technology was intended to help the community improve weaving efficiency, increase production, and ensure that the craft continues to thrive for future generations.
However, technology alone was not enough. To maximize the use of the equipment and transfer weaving knowledge to more members of the community, a Handloom Weaving Training was conducted in 2023 for Indigenous Peoples (IP) women in Matanao. Leading the training were Ms. Melissa Gulaya and Ms. Jenita Kaman, experienced weavers of the community who are employed at the Tribal Training Center and Display Center under the leadership of Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Bae Maria Pacita B. Dela Victoria.
Known for their expertise in handloom weaving, dressmaking, and beadwork for Blaan tribal attire, they became part of the ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ and have served as mentors to fellow IP women, sharing traditional weaving techniques and inspiring a new generation of artisans to embrace and preserve their cultural heritage.
Their dedication did not go unnoticed.
In 2025, DOST Davao Region identified and nominated Ms. Melissa and Ms. Jenita to participate in the National Certificate II (NC II) in Upright Handloom Weaving Assessment Support Program conducted by the DOSTโPhilippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) in partnership with TESDA at the Philippine Handloom Weaving Center in Taguig City. The program gathered weavers from different regions of the country and provided them with an opportunity to demonstrate their competencies against national standards for handloom weaving. The initiative forms part of PTRI's efforts to professionalize and strengthen the Philippine handloom weaving industry while preserving traditional textile heritage.
Representing the Indigenous Peoples of Davao del Sur, Melissa and Jenita successfully earned their NC II in Upright Handloom Weaving, becoming among the first recognized weavers from the province to achieve this national certification. Their accomplishment validated years of experience, dedication, and craftsmanship while showcasing the quality and potential of indigenous weaving traditions on a national platform.
The certification also created opportunities to expand linkages within the Philippine textile sector. Participation in the Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival during NSTW 2025 in Laoag City provided a platform to showcase Blaan weaving traditions alongside weaving communities from across the country, fostering knowledge exchange, market exposure, and collaboration while promoting the role of science, technology, and innovation in preserving the nationโs rich textile heritage.
From a single grassroots innovation identified through SalikLakbay, the journey of Ms. Melissa and Ms. Jenita demonstrates how community knowledge, when supported by science, technology, and innovation, can create meaningful opportunities. What began as an effort to preserve a traditional Blaan tribal dress evolved into a pathway for skills development, national recognition, cultural promotion, and community empowerment.
Today, every woven fabric they create carries more than intricate patternsโit carries the story of a community determined to preserve its heritage, the pride of indigenous craftsmanship, and the promise that innovation rooted in culture can transform lives and communities.
