This Online Mother’s Day Fair Honours Moms All Over the Philippines

Whenever Mother’s Day inches closer, I always find myself having a tough time choosing the perfect gift for my mom. The question that always creeps into my thoughts is this: What do I give the woman who gave me everything? 

And despite that my mom is the sort of person who thinks that Mother’s Day is “just a regular day” and tells me and my siblings not to worry about gifts, I could never actually treat it like just another day. Here’s the thing about moms, though: All they really want is to feel extra loved on their special day. The smallest gesture goes a long way — the most important thing is that you let them know you love them and appreciate all they do. From a handwritten letter to a carefully curated selection of simple tokens, anything that comes from her children is instantly special to Mom.

In light of this, Habi: The Philippine Textile Council has decided to make this Mother’s Day even more meaningful by presenting us with the opportunity to honour not just our own moms, but mothers all over the Philippines. For their special Mother’s Day fair entitled Habi Mama, A Habi Mother’s Day Online Fair, they’ve partnered with women-led Tagbanua weaving communities from Aborlan, Palawan. Together, they’ve curated beautiful gift baskets for every kind of mama — each packed with locally and sustainably sourced products.

Habi Mama: a Mother’s Day online fair

For 12 years, Habi has strongly advocated for Filipino weaving communities and local artisans. They hold their largest trade fair every October, in honour of National Indigenous Month. In order to support those who’ve been hard-hit by the pandemic, they’ve also come up with special trade fairs to allow local weavers and artisans to showcase their products.

For Mother’s Day, they put the spotlight on basket weavers from the Tagbanua community. These talented women have not only been keeping local traditions alive by passing them on from generation to generation — this very livelihood, which has been impacted by the pandemic, has been sustaining their families as well.

The Habi Mama online fair will take place on Habi’s official website until 9 May 2021, giving us more than enough time to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Mom! What’s more, a portion of their proceeds will be used to support projects of Habi’s partner weaving communities from all over the country.

Also read: 12 Unique Ideas for Celebrating Mother’s Day at Home

Habi Mama Mother’s Day gift baskets

Habi has curated six different gift baskets that cater to different personalities. Each gift set consists of sustainable and ethical fashion and lifestyle products, and the items are encased inside the beautiful baskets handwoven by Tagbanua women. For every gift basket, the products have been sourced from over 28 merchants that represent a range of weaving and local artisan communities around the Philippines. Just browse and take your pick!

For the “Stay Safe Mama”

Is your mama always on the go? Ensure that she stays safe (while staying stylish!) with the Stay Safe Mama gift basket. 

Inclusions:

• Handwoven leather clip-on hand sanitiser bag accessory
• Two three-play face masks made of Philippine cotton
• Leather face mask holder with Maranao beads and Philippine cotton tassel

For the “Kikay Zoom Mama”

Perfect for moms who are all about makeup and skincare, the Kikay Zoom Mama gift set is packed with beauty must-haves. It’s also a great pick for moms who always seem to have one online event after another (and love dolling up for each one)!

Inclusions:

• Sunnies lipstick and lip and cheek tint
• Handwoven makeup pouch
• Handmade and locally sourced face soap made with aloe vera and coconut oil
• Handwoven Philippine cotton scarf by Creative Definitions

Also read: 10 Local Beauty Brands That Deserve Your Attention

For the “Relax Mama”

Maybe your mom is the ultimate tita of Manila — aka a big fan of essential oils, scented candles, and yoga or pilates. The Relax Mama gift basket makes for an excellent choice! (We’re crazy about the inabel towel and handwoven buri banig yoga mat!)

Inclusions:

• Handwoven inabel towel
• Lavender soy cold-pressed candle
• Lavender massage oil infused with extra virgin coconut oil, grapeseed, jojoba
• Handwoven buri banig yoga mat by Aklan Ati Community

Also read: Where to Buy Yoga Mats in Metro Manila: All Local Brands!

For the “Cooking Mama”

If your mom is a whiz in the kitchen, it’s a no-brainer: The Cooking Mama gift basket is your go-to. We’re certain she’ll love how each item will add pops of colour to the kitchen, too!

Inclusions:

• Handwoven apron and oven mittens
• Locally sourced wooden ladle and fork
• Handwoven bucket hat
• Handwoven binakul face mask by YakangYaka

For the “Garden Mama”

Of course, the Habi Mama Habi Mother’s Day sale wouldn’t be complete without honouring the plantitas. For moms who spend most of the day out in the garden, the Garden Mama gift set is an absolute need!

Inclusions:

• Handwoven half apron
• Habi Philippine cotton seed kit (so you can grow your own cotton at home!)
• Handmade citronella lotion bar in waterlily container

Also read: 8 Philippine Native Plants to Brighten Your Space

For the “Coffee Mama”

We can imagine that there are countless moms who can’t do without their caffeine fix — especially when they’re so busy saving our lives on a daily basis. For the java addict mamas out there, the Coffee Mama gift basket offers valuable additions to your mom’s set of coffee essentials!

Inclusions:

• Original Grounds Baguio Gold
• Tommy’s Roasted Sagada dark coffee
• Two handwoven Yakan coasters
• Customised fabric graphic mug by the Habi: The Philippine Textile Council

Also read: Coffee Culture in the Philippines & Where to Find the Best Brews

Habi Mama bouquets

And yes, Mother’s Day is never complete without a beautiful bouquet! The Habi Mother’s Day online fair also features these stunning flowers, which are a collaboration between Punique PH and Habi. The flowers are made with Bulacan buri and are incorporated with local cotton, the use of which Habi has long been committed to reviving.

With every bouquet you purchase, you support local weavers — and you get flowers that will last a lifetime.

Also read: Inabel, Buri, Longganisa: 10 Ilocos Products You Shouldn’t Miss Out On

So, how about you make this Mother’s Day a whole lot more meaningful by taking part in the Habi Mama Mother’s Day fair? Every purchase will definitely be worth it!

“Mothers are the ones who shepherd  traditions such as weaving to their families. They are the ones who can pass on the love of weaving to kids,” says Ruby Roa, Habi Vice President and Habi Mother’s Day Fair Co-Chair. “We hope Filipinos can make this year’s Mother’s Day extra special for both the moms who cared for them and the weaver moms who take care of preserving our culture by supporting the Habi Mama campaign.”

To learn more about Habi: The Philippine Textile Council and the Habi Mama Mother’s Day online fair, you may visit their official Facebook or Instagram pages.

Information extracted from a press release issued by MG Asia Public Relations Inc. on behalf of Habi: The Philippine Textile Council.