A National Women’s Month Feature

In the heart of Luisiana, Laguna, is a women’s organization that promotes the art of weaving using pandan leaves: the Luisiana Weavers Organization (LWO).

Established in 2019, the LWO is composed of 300-plus members dedicated in the preservation of the “paglala” (weaving) tradition. Each member weaves from their own home and turns over their finished products to the LWO hub, such as bayong, banig, bags, chairs, and more.

LWO’s products have reached international markets which includes Canada, Spain, and Italy. Through this livelihood, many members have been able to send their children to school, and finish degrees such as medicine, engineering, nursing, and teaching.

According to Marites Bitoon, vice president of LWO, pandan weaving is their only source of income in Luisiana. “Ito lang ang hanapbuhay namin, pambili ng ulam, baon ng mga bata.”

However, despite their achievements, a number of challenges remain that could impact the future sustainability of weaving in Luisiana. At present, pandan remains abundant in the fields, but it is also at risk of depletion or, worse, extinction, due to changing land use.

“Kaya lang po nagkakaubusan din. Tulad ng ibang malalaking farm na may pandan. Ang ginagawa po nila ngayon, parang ang lupa ay hinahapay para po pinapaupahan nila. Para taniman ng kamatis, o kaya bitswelas, pipino, upo. Dapat hindi pinuputol ang pandan gawa nang once na mawala ang pandan ay mawawalan ng hanapbuhay ang bayan ng Luisiana. Ito lang talaga ang ginagawa naming hanapbuhay,” Marites explained.

Another major challenge is passing the time-honored craft on to the next generation. Pina Esperanza, 76, also an LWO member, says today’s generation is buried in their phones. And that the craft won’t be passed on because no one is committed to learning it.

“Nagtuturo ako ay di magkaigi mga tinuturuan ko,” Esperanza narrates. She bragged about learning the art of pandan weaving at a young age of six.

“Noong unang panahon pag hindi kami lumala, papagalitan ka. Walang baon. Ngayon ang alam ng kabataan, kukura. Itatanong pa kung anong ulam. Talagang ibang-iba ngayon ang kabataan,” she adds.

Despite these challenges, LWO remains steadfast in its mission to preserve weaving as part of Luisiana’s tradition and culture.

With every strand of woven pandan, life and tradition are intertwined. A reminder that even the simplest trade has the power to change lives, yet without the next generation to carry on, its legacy risks fading.

(Text and photos: Elmer Valenzuela)