Maila Alog Works
Collaboration with Indigenous Communities
Many times, we hear the painful assertion that “designers lang ang kumikita, at hindi talaga bumabalik sa mga Indigenous Peoples ang kita at benepisyo.” This concern is real, valid, and rooted in long histories of extraction and misrepresentation. M.A. Woven Designs was shaped in conscious response to this narrative—committed to proving that collaboration can be ethical, reciprocal, and genuinely community-centered, even when the process is difficult and costly.
M.A. Woven Designs is led by Maila Alog, an Indigenous Person (IP) and a culture bearer of the Ibaloy way of life, whose creative practice is deeply rooted in Indigenous values, collective memory, and reverence for ancestral traditions. This lived and embodied cultural grounding shapes how collaborations are formed—anchored on respect, reciprocity, and cultural integrity rather than convenience or quick profit.
Championing Indigenous artistry has never been easy. The brand has endured financial strain, long development timelines, trial-and-error in translating design, limited access to capital, and the challenge of educating markets that often favor fast, low-cost production over ethical, culturally grounded work. Developing designs that honor Indigenous aesthetics requires patience, repeated consultations, reweaving, redesigning, and at times absorbing losses—so that cultural integrity is never compromised.
The brand works closely with handloom and backstrap weavers, beadworkers, and traditional artisans from Indigenous communities across the Philippines, engaging them as co-creators rather than mere suppliers. Each partnership is built through dialogue, direct consent, and adherence to community protocols, recognizing that every textile, bead, and handcrafted detail carries cultural meaning, ancestral knowledge, and lived experience that cannot be separated from the maker.
Through fair compensation, proper attribution, transparent collaboration, and ethical production, M.A. Woven Designs ensures that value returns to the communities where it originates. Contemporary pieces are created not by stripping tradition of its meaning, but by allowing it to evolve responsibly—safeguarding Indigenous identity while sustaining dignity, livelihood, and cultural continuity.
Pinilian Weavers of Santiago, Ilocos Sur
M.A. Woven Designs works in close partnership with the Pinilian weavers of Santiago, Ilocos Sur, engaging in a collaborative process rooted in shared learning and cultural respect. Beyond textile production, this relationship centers on co-creation and the transmission of weaving knowledge, where the community guides Maila Alog in understanding the technical and cultural foundations of Pinilian patterns. Through direct engagement and ethical practice, the collaboration supports the continuity of inabel traditions while allowing them to evolve with integrity and dignity.
Handloom Weavers of Roxas, Isabela
The Handloom Weavers of Roxas, Isabela are a community belonging to the Ifugao ethnolinguistic group, recognized for their exceptional ability to translate intricate backstrap loom patterns into handloom-woven textiles with precision and consistency. As the largest weaving partner of M.A. Woven Designs, they are uniquely equipped to meet large-scale production demands while upholding the integrity of Indigenous patterns and techniques. Their disciplined craftsmanship allows traditional Ifugao designs to be adapted for handloom production without losing cultural meaning, supporting both contemporary design needs and the continuity of ancestral knowledge.
Binakol Weavers of La Paz, Abra
The Binakol Weavers of La Paz, Abra are known for their mastery of Binakol, a complex optical weaving tradition distinguished by its rhythmic, vortex-like patterns believed to offer protection and balance. As valued partners of M.A. Woven Designs, this weaving community produces handloom textiles that require high technical skill, precision, and deep cultural knowledge. Through ethical collaboration and direct community engagement, their Binakol fabrics are thoughtfully integrated into contemporary designs while preserving the symbolism, discipline, and ancestral significance of this revered Abra textile tradition.
Yakan Village Weavers
The Yakan Village Weavers are respected providers of intricately handwoven textiles, known for their vibrant colors, precise geometry, and deep cultural symbolism. Practicing traditional backstrap and handloom techniques, the Yakan weaving community produces fabrics that reflect identity, status, and ancestral knowledge. As trusted weaving partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they contribute distinctive textiles that complement contemporary design while upholding cultural integrity. Through direct, ethical collaboration, their work supports sustainable livelihoods and the continued practice of Yakan weaving traditions.
Manobo Artisans of San Fernando, Bukidnon
The Manobo Artisans of Bukidnon are skilled beadworkers and textile artisans whose craft is deeply rooted in identity, leadership, and cultural symbolism. One of the most meaningful collaborations with M.A. Woven Designs is the creation of the Tangkulo-inspired scarf using Binakol tapestry, where Manobo artistry meets the protective geometry of Binakol patterns. This co-created piece reflects respectful cultural dialogue—honoring Manobo traditions while thoughtfully integrating woven symbolism into contemporary form. Through direct and ethical collaboration, this partnership supports community livelihoods and the continued practice of Indigenous artisanal knowledge in Bukidnon.
Panay-Bukidnon Artisans of Calinog, Ilo-ilo
The Panay-Bukidnon Artisans of Calinog, Iloilo are recognized for their refined hand-embroidery skills, marked by precise stitching, symbolic motifs, and disciplined craftsmanship. Their embroidery work adds depth and narrative to garments, translating Indigenous identity into tactile detail. As valued artisan partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they contribute culturally grounded embellishments that elevate contemporary pieces while honoring Panay-Bukidnon heritage. Through direct, ethical collaboration, their craft supports community livelihoods and the continuity of ancestral embroidery traditions in Calinog, Iloilo.
Blaan Artisans of Malandag, South Cotabato
The Blaan Artisans of Malandag, South Cotabato are known for their intricate beadwork and textile artistry, characterized by bold geometric patterns, rich color symbolism, and meticulous handcraft. Deeply rooted in Blaan cultural traditions, their work reflects identity, ritual, and community narratives passed down through generations. As valued artisan partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they contribute handcrafted elements that enrich contemporary designs while honoring cultural protocols. Through direct, ethical collaboration, their craft supports sustainable livelihoods and the continued practice of Blaan artistic heritage.
T'boli Artisans of Lake Sebu
The T'boli Artisans of Lake Sebu, Cotabato are renowned for their mastery of T’nalak weaving and intricate beadwork, practices deeply intertwined with ritual, identity, and ancestral knowledge. Their textiles and adornments are guided by strict cultural protocols, with patterns and colors carrying layered meanings rooted in T'boli cosmology. As valued artisan partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they contribute culturally significant elements that enrich contemporary designs while upholding tradition. Through direct, ethical collaboration, their work supports community livelihoods and ensures the continuity of T'boli artistic heritage centered in Lake Sebu.
Hanunu-o Mangyan Weavers of Mansalay, Mindoro
The Hanunu-o Mangyan Weavers of Mansalay, Mindoro are known for finely woven textiles that reflect balance, restraint, and deep cultural meaning. Their weaving practice is closely intertwined with Surat Mangyan, the Indigenous script traditionally inscribed on bamboo and other surfaces—an enduring expression of identity, knowledge, and continuity. As valued weaving partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they provide handwoven textiles that honor cultural protocols while complementing contemporary design. Through direct and ethical collaboration, this partnership supports sustainable livelihoods and safeguards both weaving traditions and the living heritage embodied in Surat Mangyan within Mansalay.
Lubuagan, Kalinga Artisans & Weavers
The Lubuagan Kalinga Weavers are known for their bold, rhythmic textiles woven through traditional backstrap loom techniques, reflecting strength, balance, and community identity. Their patterns and color combinations carry meanings tied to ancestry, land, and social life, making each textile both functional and symbolic. As valued weaving partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they contribute culturally grounded fabrics that translate Kalinga heritage into contemporary design while honoring Indigenous protocols. Through direct and ethical collaboration, this partnership supports sustainable livelihoods and the continuity of Kalinga weaving traditions in Lubuagan, Kalinga.
Freelance Weavers in Cordillera
The Freelance Weavers of the Cordillera are individual artisans, not organized as a single group, who continue to practice traditional handloom and backstrap weaving within their own communities. Working independently, they are able to accommodate small and limited orders, making them ideal partners for custom pieces, sampling, and special projects. As trusted weaving partners of M.A. Woven Designs, their work reflects personal skill, ancestral knowledge, and careful craftsmanship—supporting individual livelihoods while sustaining Cordilleran weaving traditions through direct and ethical collaboration.
Inaul & Landap Weavers of Datu Piang, Maguindanao
The Inaul and Landap Weavers of Datu Piang, Maguindanao are recognized for their refined handwoven textiles traditionally used for formal wear and ceremonial purposes. Inaul and Landap fabrics are distinguished by their smooth finish, balanced geometry, and dignified color palettes, reflecting Maguindanaon identity and social tradition. As valued weaving partners of M.A. Woven Designs, they provide culturally grounded textiles that translate seamlessly into contemporary applications while honoring cultural protocols. Through direct and ethical collaboration, this partnership supports community livelihoods and the continued practice of Maguindanaon weaving traditions in Datu Piang.
