Discovery Samal hosts benefit gala for indigenous weaving communities

Discovery Samal served as the elegant venue for The Stellar Fashion Gala, a charity event benefiting indigenous weaving communities under the patronage of the b.LOOM Project.

Held in partnership between the Davao Fashion and Design Council Foundation Inc (DFDCI) and the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc (MTEFI) at the hotel’s Samal Grand Ballroom, the event featured a 100-piece collection crafted by member-designers Aztec Barba, Dodjie Batu, Emi Englis, Popoy Barba, Edgar Buyan, Egay Ayag, Windel Mira, and Benjie Panizales.

Discovery Samal president Beatrice Gonzalez-Magallanes said of the event: “We are in awe of the creativity and proudly Davaeño aesthetic displayed by the b.LOOM Project at The Stellar Fashion Gala; [and we] look forward to welcoming more fantastic events with a priceless view of the Davao Gulf at Discovery Samal.”

Indigenous fabrics in the 21st century

The collection featured an array of garments highlighting indigenous Philippine fabrics, including abaca, bandala, piña, banana, and kawayarn, among others. The fabrics were produced by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST)’s Philippine Textile Research Institute.

Proceeds from the event went to the b.LOOM Project’s Sustainable Enterprise Program on Indigenous and Emerging Artisanal Textile Weaving among Davao Region’s Extra-Mile Creative Communities. MTEFI played an integral role in ensuring deserving communities were identified and the donation was adequately distributed.