In celebration of National Women's Month, the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. successfully hosted the Weave Your Way: A Mini Loom Weaving Workshop on 14 March 2025 at the Philippine Embassy. The event brought together members of the ASEAN Spouses Circle (ASC) in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the role of women in cultural preservation and the arts and Filipino weaving traditions through hands-on weaving experience.

The workshop was led by Ms. Romae Chanice "Nice" Marquez, founder of Hibla Philippines and a passionate advocate for preserving and modernizing Philippine weaving traditions. Hibla was one of the winners of our Department of Science and Technology winners during the 2023 Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) National Pitching Competition. Through initiatives such as skill-based training, sustainable production practices, and innovative technology, including the development of a website application with garment-customization technologies under the DOST program, Hibla ensures that its artisans thrive in both local and global markets.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Maria Lourdes Romualdez, spouse of Philippine Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Jose Manuel Romualdez, highlighted the importance of weaving as a symbol of unity and cultural heritage. "Just as individual threads intertwine to create a strong and beautiful fabric, our shared traditions bring us closer as a community. Weaving has long been a cornerstone of cultural identity across ASEAN, carrying with it the stories, artistry, and resilience of our ancestors." she said.

The event was attended by key members of the ASEAN Spouses Circle (ASC), including 1) Mrs. Lui Soo Fen, ASC President and spouse of Singaporean Ambassador to the United States H.E. Lui Tuck Yew; 2) Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, ASC Vice President and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy; 3) Ms. Khaeriah Zaehera Abd Kayyum, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Malaysia; 4) Ms. Aye Mya Mya Khaing, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; 5) Datin Rafiah Arif, spouse of Brunei Ambassador to the United States H.E. Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji Ali; 6) Madam Tran Thi Bich Van, spouse of Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States H.E. Nguyen Quoc Dung; and 7) Mrs. Khamphanh Inphachanh, spouse of Lao PDR Ambassador to the United States H.E. Sisavath Inphachanh.

The Philippine Embassy remains committed to promoting Filipino heritage and strengthening ties within the ASEAN community through its cultural initiatives. ###

PR Link: https://philippineembassy-dc.org/weaving-connections-philippine-embassy-hosts-mini-loom-weaving-workshop-for-asean-spouses-circle/