We’ve seen them on TV or in social media, images of women weavers doing their works in a cave in Samar.
Interesting, right? Why, in so many places, people would weave under a cave? A question that was answered during my first visit to Basey, Samar in 2015. The cool temperature of Saob cave is conducive for tikog, the raw materials used in weaving, to maintain its quality.
The sad part was, we were late when we arrived at Saob Cave during my first visit in 2015. No one was there which is understandable because it was already late afternoon. That time, I hoped that one day, I would witness in my own eyes how the famous weavers of Basey do their amazing work while in Saob Cave.
After a few years, I’m back in Samar for the PHITEX post tour. Saob Cave is one of the destinations included during our first day in Eastern Visayas. This time, I was thankful, we were on time. It was about 3 PM when we arrived at Saob Cave.
It was also a coincidence that a GMA News TV team was filming there. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably have read here that I was a former TV segment producer of GMA. The team that was filming there, that’s my exact job when I was still with the network. Well, not exactly the cameraman, but the producer, who’s in charge shooting, filming the story.
I had the chance to chat with the GMA team and it was nice to know that they knew some of my media friends. It was also a nice conversation about some updates on the job that I left many years ago.
But the real focus of our travel there, are the women weavers of Samar. Finally, I was able to witness in my own eyes how they weave, those hands that create numerous arts and handicrafts.
We were only there for a few minutes, barely enough to have a lasting conversation with the weavers, especially that there were many of us, and there was also a TV crew filming so you can’t just roam around and go in the middle.
We were there to observe, enjoy how the weavers of Samar do their amazing works.
On one side, finished products of the weavers are displayed where tourists can purchase. There are placemats, banig, slippers and a lot more. All for affordable prices. Knowing that it takes a lot of patience and hard work to create each piece makes your purchase all worth it. You’re also supporting their livelihood in many ways.
The products
Weavers in Basey are using Tikog, a plant that is abundant in the area. These are harvested then dried for several days, then dyed with colors to add some designs. The cool temperature under the Saob Cave preserves the quality of the raw material.
Content
Lionila – a weaver and her story
After the trip, I got the chance to watch the Brigada episode of GMA News TV, the same crew that filmed the story at Saob Cave.
I finally had the chance to get a glimpse of the life of a weaver at Saob with the story of Lionila, 58 years old.
(Right) – Lionila
A story that is predominant in any rural area in the country, where women carry the heavy burden of raising a family and providing food on the table. Lionila starts her day by fishing together with her husband and a teenage kid. She has to be there and help his husband who recently had undergone an eye operation.
Under the heat of the sun, in the middle of the vast sea, Lionila is seen pulling out the fishnet with the hopes of having an abundant catch. Selling crabs and fishes in the community is another story. There were times that a whole morning of work could only result to a less than 100 pesos of earnings. According to Lionila, it is just enough to buy coffee and sugar.
Nowadays, coffee is a comfort, a leisure to some. But you have to understand that for some poor communities in the country, a hot cup of coffee paired with bread, is sometimes a cheaper way of satisfying hunger.
Despite the hardships, Lionila isn’t giving up. She still has kids to send to school. At the end of the episode, she uttered one wish, a hope for her kids, “ayokong matulad sila sa akin na walang pinag-aralan.”
I felt a heavy heart watching the story. How can we help Lionila? By patronizing their products of course, we are able to help her and the rest of the weavers.
But we also have to think of a better, long-term solution. DOT is providing them a good exposure to market their products, worldwide. Some NGOs and private entities are helping to sustain their livelihood. These are a good start, in giving the women weavers a livelihood and in providing them what they truly deserve – a fair price of their products for their hard work and creativity.
When you get the chance to travel to Basey, Samar, please visit the hardworking women weavers at Saob Cave. Let’s give them the support that they need for creating quality handicrafts and for preserving a long-time tradition of tikog weaving.
Here’s the story of Lionila and the women weavers of Basey aired on Brigada, on GMA News TV.
Where is Saob Cave?
Saob Cave is located at Barangay Basiao in Basey, Samar. This is just along the main road. You can find the popular “Saob Cave” signage when you drive along the road. It is recommended that you coordinate with the Municipal Tourism Office before going to Saob Cave. Aside from Saob Cave, there are also shop weaving centers in Basey to showcase their handicrafts.
How to get to Saob Cave
Basey is just less than an hour of land travel from Tacloban. Book a flight to Tacloban, Then once you’re at the Tacloban Bus Terminal, take a van going to Basey. It is recommended that you coordinate with the Municipal Tourism Office, before going to Saob Cave for proper assistance. The drop off point is at the Municpal Tourism Office at ABC Hall Building near the municipal gym. This is for proper registration and assistance to Saob Cave.
Note: This travel to Samar was made possible through the partnership with the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board and DOT Region 8 Team. Thank you! Always grateful for the opportunity.
One Comment
Jane Maguire
December 5, 2023 at 11:00 pmYou have to come back! Saob Cave is now more improved! There’s an entrance fee now and they offer tours as well. There are more items to buy, bathroom is available, Kubo is available to rest and take photos. Parking on the side of street is also available if you are coming with your car.