Catriona Gray urges support for Yakan weaving community of Zamboanga

Catriona Gray is urging her followers to support Yakan weavers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On her Instagram, the 2018 Miss Universe could be seen paying a visit to the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City where she met Zalma Ballati who is known in their community as a “master weaver.”

 

 

 

 

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Such an honor to have the opportunity to meet Zalma Ballati, siya ang Master Weaver of Yakan Village, Zamboanga City ???????? Bilang isang "Master Weaver", alam niya ang pitong klaseng disenyo ng Yakan. At gumagawa rin siya ng sarili niyang disenyo. She was taught by her mother, and she in turn is passing down the art of yakan weaving to this generation. You can directly support the Yakan community in Zamboanga that is made up of 40 families, by purchasing their handmade and hand woven products. ? Nakakatuwa yung feeling, kasi kapag magpurchase ka, alam mo na you're supporting a community and a craft that is uniquely Filipino. ???????? I'm wearing a yakan top and face mask by @everydaypnay #RaiseYourFlagZamboanga ???????? #SupportLocalPH @otop.philippines Captured by @noel_can.do.it Styled by @justine.aliman19 @styledbypatrickhenry Glam @hairbybrentsales @memayfrancisco

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on

Oct 8, 2020 at 4:49am PDT

Catriona wore a red Yakan top with an intricate pattern and fringe accents, together with a handwoven face mask.

The beauty queen also showcased the different kinds of hand-woven products being sold by the community, including different-colored fabrics and face masks.

Catriona Gray is an ambassador of the Department of Trade and Industry’s “One Town, One Product” program which aims to “enable localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products or services rooted in its local culture and competitive advantage.

According to Catriona, anyone “can directly support the Yakan community in Zamboanga that is made up of 40 families by purchasing their handmade and hand woven product.”

“Nakakatuwa yung feeling, kasi kapag magpurchase ka, alam mo na you're supporting a community and a craft that is uniquely Filipino,” she said in the caption. —Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News