STRENGTHENED by their ordeal to survive two of the major tragedies that happened in the country over the last decade, Yolanda-hit Tacloban seamstresses and Marawi siege victims Maranao weavers have joined forces to fight another battle of their lives—this time the Covid-19 pandemic—to make locally designed protection gears against the deadly virus and, at the same time, improve their economic status and revive the local fabric and clothing industry affected by the ongoing health crisis.
Through an alliance forged between Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) and ECHOsi Foundation Inc., each with their own community-driven livelihood development programs for the women of Tacloban and Marawi respectively, these groups of calamity and war survivors have been banded together to produce a very essential item in these challenging times: the Kadasig reusable face mask that helps mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission and infection.
“Kadasig, which means resilient in Waray-Waray, is not only about celebrating the heritage of our indigenous fabric but the tangible output of their fortitude,” said Sebastian Quiniones Jr., executive director of PSFI.
“It has already been years since the tragedies of Typhoon Haiyan and the Marawi siege, and many in the affected communities are still struggling with rehabilitation. This is why the Kadasig project is also about supporting these women as they change the narrative so often told about their communities,” he added.
These empowered women, according to him, don’t let their past define them as they can express once again “their hopes and dreams, one thread and stitch at a time.”
Designed based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for non-medical face masks, the Kadasig facial cover is made up of three layers using absorbent and non-absorbent materials to guarantee full protection of the wearer.
The Maranao weavers made the distinct weave on the outer sheet with a traditional backstrap loom. Beyond earning their needed income, they also aim to reintroduce their weaving tradition as a vital part of their culture and life.
“Kabaya ame a makuwa a grupo ame na katukawan o kadakelan so kultura ame knaba bu sa Pilipinas ka sa intero a dunya [Our hope is that our culture will be known, not just here in the Philippines, but all over the world],” said Rahma Abad, one of the Maranao weavers.
Their own creation is then used by the seamstresses of Tacloban, who cut, sew, and structure the traditional fabric into the final Kadasig face mask.
“19 na ako ka tuig nga mananahi hin damu la nga mga klase hin tarahi-on sugad hin mga bistida, blouse, pantalon, uniforms, PPE [personal protective equipment], masks o bangot, ngan damu pa nga iba [I have been sewing for 19 years. I sew many different kinds of things, like dresses, blouses, pants, uniforms, PPEs, masks, and many others],” said Rosalia Ramirez, head of the Tacloban seamstress group.
“Dili masukol and amon kalipay nga mayda kami natahe nga tikang ha Marawi [Our happiness is beyond words, knowing that we are able to make masks from weaves of Marawi],” she added.
While still struggling to restore normalcy in their lives and reeling from the impacts of the ensuing health crisis, these two groups of women survivors are working together to rise from poverty and helping their communities pick up again. Thanks, of course, to their benefactors PSFI and ECHOsi Foundation that continue to help them recover so that they can have a brighter future ahead.
The Kadasig reusable face masks are now available for sale on the ECHOstore portal: echostore.ph.
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