Kanlaon causes shortage of weaving materials; artisans turn to volcanic ash crafts

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The ongoing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano has damaged farms, restricted access to weaving materials, and disrupted livelihoods. For members of the Canlaon Artisans and Weavers Association (CAWA), volcanic ash and lahar have become unlikely tools for creativity and recovery.

CAWA president Yrah Gallego said that continuing their crafts amid the ongoing volcanic activity and economic uncertainty is about preserving livelihood and culture.

“We even created crafts using lahar or volcanic ash, turning what destroyed our land into something beautiful,” Gallego said. “Every material is a symbol of our strength, determination, and ability to rise again,” she told Rappler on Friday, May 29.  

The products made of volcanic materials include a picture frame, a paperweight, an incense holder, and an ashtray.

CAWA was founded on February 23, 2026, in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino. It now brings together around 25 artisans, mostly women from various barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, who produce handwoven mats, bags, home décor, fashion accessories, and other handicrafts using traditional weaving techniques.

“What pushes us to continue is our strong desire to rebuild and sustain our livelihoods, especially in the face of the challenges of volcanic activity and after we lost so much due to Typhoon Tino,” Gallego said.

The volcanic unrest and the typhoon’s impact have made it increasingly difficult for artisans to secure the primary raw materials for their weaving.

“Many plantation and wild crop areas are replaced with rocks and sand, damaging the plants and making harvesting impossible,” she said. Transporting materials from neighboring areas has also become more expensive, especially with the rising cost of fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East.

“Our primary raw materials are locally sourced: pandan, tikog, romblon, and buri, which grow in the slopes and lowlands of Kanlaon. We also use a mix of natural dyes, such as mahogany bark, atsuete, and turmeric, along with ready-made dyes to add color to our creations,” Gallego said.

Despite the challenges, CAWA members remain committed to preserving a tradition they fear is slowly disappearing.

“We are motivated by our love for our culture and our desire to keep our traditions alive,” Gallego said. “We work hard because we want to show everyone who supports us that despite challenges — limited funds, difficult processes, and limited resources — we can still make it happen.”

CAWA showcased its products for the first time at the 33rd Bulawan, 4th Pilak, and 3rd Balik-Salig Awards and Competition, themed “Sibol,” held on May 26-29 at SM City in Bacolod City.

The activity also served as a prelude to the 40th Negros Trade Fair (NTF), the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair, set to take place at SM Aura in Taguig City in September 2026.

“The Canlaon weavers add a powerful new dimension to this year’s Bulawan Trade Fair by bringing deeper cultural meaning, sustainability, and community storytelling into the spotlight,” NTF chairperson Mary Ann Colmenares said. “Their participation is integrating other artisans to make NIR (Negros Island Region) a stronger creative force in the country.”

This year’s NTF will feature the theme “Butlak,” a term that signifies the first light of a new day and symbolizes a period of growth and prosperity for the island’s producers, she said. – Rappler.com

ASH-BASED CRAFT. Canlaon artisans display their craft, such as picture frames, which use volcanic ash amid a shortage of weaving materials due to the ongoing unrest at Kanlaon. (Photo by Yrah Gallego)