Founded in the second quarter of 1996, La Herminia Piña Weaving Industry has been at the forefront of preserving and innovating traditional Filipino handwoven fabrics.
“With just three weavers—my mother, brother and sister-in-law—we started producing textiles from pineapple leaves. It was a humble beginning, but we had faith in our craft,” said Tumbokon.After working at the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration and receiving training in Germany, she returned to the Philippines and joined the family business.
Initially made of bamboo, the company’s looms were modernized through the ingenuity of Tumbokon’s brother, who developed a semi-mechanized loom capable of producing fabric up to 60 inches wide—double the standard width. Their fabrics, including piña-cotton and piña-silk blends, are prized for their luxurious texture and durability. Sinuksuk, a traditional hand-embroidered design, remains one of their most intricate offerings, celebrated for its artistry and cultural value.
The weaving centers in Kalibo, Tangalan and Balete, Aklan, employ nearly 90 weavers, many of whom commute from nearby towns. The weavers’ plight urged La Herminia to strive to build a dedicated weaving center for all the weavers.