THE HABI Kadayawan 2023 has made a grand comeback after the pandemic as it staged a show around the theme “when culture meets fashion,” recognizing the weaving traditions of Mindanaoans in its grand finale on Aug. 12 at Abreeza Mall.
Inspired by femininity, class, and elegance, Erich Miñoza’s “Banyuhay” hailed as the Habi Kadayawan 2023 Apparel Category Grand Winner, dedicated his victory to the Yakan weavers in Zamboanga whom he is representing.
“Because its Mindanao- wide and I am representing Zamboanga City, so very unexpected, and everyone of us is magaling talaga, and mahirap ang kompetisyon sobra (the competition was so tight),” Miñoza said.
The second and first runner-ups for the apparel category were ‘Higalaay Spendor’ by Shine Casiño from Cagayan De Oro, and ‘Denaul’ by Akmad Kari of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, respectively.
Bae Lolita Labis of the Datu Danwata Women’s Association from Davao Occidental expressed her delight when her creation ‘Bakutal’ won the grand prize for the accessories competition community-based category.
“Dako kaayo nig tabang sa amoa, kay among bags karon daghan nag orders. (This is a great help for us as the number of orders for our bags will increase),” Labis said.
Meanwhile, ‘Latag’ by Jason Doble of Davao de Oro won the youth category, and ‘Panolong clutch bag’ by Chris Gomez from Cagayan de Oro won the commercial category for the accessories competition.
Apart from the cash prize, the winners received perks from the business incubation of Philippine Women’s College Davao CHI+, exposure in Manila Fame, and Alagang Ayala Pop-up retail space.
Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain said that Habi Kadayawan shows that there is “no shortage of talent here in Mindanao, be it in the arts, culinary and especially in the aspect of fashion.”
“The city government of Davao hopes that we can continue our collective initiatives and efforts to weave more opportunities that will empower our communities and will further propel Davao and Mindanao’s creative industry to full vibrancy,” Mayor Sebastian Duterte said in a speech delivered by Quitain.
