Studio

STUDIO

Haboean is a weaving studio and third space that connects heritage craft with contemporary practice. Established by the family of Nanay Susima Marte Dela Cruz, founder of the Dela Cruz House of Piña, Haboean is tribute to her enduring weaving legacy following her passing in 2017. In our studio, we showcase the intricate art of piña weaving, a vital part of our community’s heritage.

In December 2023, Aklan’s piña handloom weaving was formally inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking it as the Philippines’ fifth cultural heritage element and the first in the Visayas region.

More than a studio, Haboean is a shared space for exhibitions and collaborative projects that is grounded in material knowledge, care, and the collective spirit of the weaving community of Aklan.

🤝 Collaborate with Us

Start a Collaboration

We welcome collaborations with artists, designers, and researchers.

We focus on projects that match our values and capacity, including custom weaving, research, tours, and exhibition work. Contact us if you’d like to collaborate.

🗓️ Book the Studio

Request a Booking

Our studio is available for photo shoots, creative sessions, and private group tours. We offer the space to projects that resonate with our ethos and allow for thoughtful use of the environment.

We also host guided visits for schools, organizations, and cultural researchers by request.

🏡 Inside the Studio

Much of the architecture draws inspiration from traditional stilt houses. The structure is build on tall foundational posts, elevating the main ground floor while utilizing the lower level as a café. Careful consideration was given to airflow and orientation, with an emphasis on open-air design to promote natural ventilation. The building is surrounded by a garden, small trees, and a central pond, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Local materials are prominently featured in the design, including bricks from the pottery community in Lezo and engineered bamboo planks from UP Visayas, used for the counters and headboards. Stone-coated metal roofing was selected for its insulation properties and its ability to replicate the appearance of traditional clay tiles. Most of the furniture consists of refurbished pieces. We also try to incorporate the local nito vines into the details of the cafe, such as the lamps and our serving dishes.

Our herb garden supplies some of the fresh ingredients for the café, which offers locally-inspired dishes. The garden’s landscape was intentionally designed to create a ‘sunken garden’ effect, providing a serene, zen-like view from the café.

The weaving studio is spacious, accommodating groups while encouraging creativity and productivity among weavers and resident artists. On display is a permanent collection of family heirloom pieces passed down through generations, alongside award-winning works from the current generation of weavers.