A Mother’s Warmth Artfully Woven into Traditional Baskets

Do we still know that woven baskets are entwined in Filipino culture?

Throughout the decades, baskets have maintained to serve its purpose — from carrying clothes and personal items, to food service, storage, aiding in farming and fishing. While its utility remains, they continue to adapt to meet the evolving needs, not only the modern Filipino lifestyle but also the standards of the international market.

It seems like it would be nice to have a woven basket.

Anabelle Magallona, a basket weaver of basket known as “bakbak,” which is made of wicker and buri in Barangay Guihay Lopez, Quezon. Typically, it only requires weaving as the frame is already constructed. In terms of her laboring the basket, this became an additional income apart from her husband’s occupation of trolleying, a well-known railway vehicle. Side jobs in selling bread and making broom sticks also helped their family.

At the age of 18, Magallona started to learn to make baskets and tried to venture in Manila. Eventually, she earned money with the help of a trolley . As she got married, laboring in the basket continued.

Unexpectedly, she got sick; she fainted frequently due to her lump in abdomen that was meant to be operated on, but owing to her anxiety and lack of funds, it wasn’t fulfilled.

''Fortunately, I did not lose consciousness while creating baskets since I had an abdomen problem, which I wish to get rid of in my body; treatment is pricey when I was checked in a hospital in Lucena. If only I had money, that would be lovely; money is a major issue.''

Anabelle’s abdominal health is mainly under control as she rarely gets medication. Her earnings from basket crafting costs 300 pesos a day for two sets having six pieces. However, her earning varies depending on the number of sets can make.

As a mother of three, she prefers to work for a week to maximize her income. With this kind of schedule, it allows her to set a day dedicated to doing laundry as she cannot do both on the same day, prioritizing crafting baskets.

Magallona makes baskets right close to their home where she could recall a haunting experience of cutting her finger during the early basket weaving, resulting in hand pain, and back pain just from sitting. Anabelle is being taught how to make baskets as she thinks it’s a convenient side job closest to their house.

''Having a job like this is beneficial because it allows you to truly focus on creating baskets when you have little money to spend. When money is on hand, I can also purchase some items for our home.''

In Anabelle’s heartwarming journey of sharing crafting baskets with her kids,it became a special bond with her children as they joined her in the process.With her gentle words, “Help me here,” she fosters a sense of kindness and teamwork.

Despite her illness, Anabelle is a strong mother who still shows her love and portrays braveness for her family through the baskets she crafts. She pours blood and sweat into the basket, weaving her destiny that continues to be entwined.

The ability to be brave and strong in the face of adversity was woven in Filipino and Magallona is one of them–infused her skillfully woven basket with bravery and firmness.

It can be considered that the life that Anabelle has is also an inspiration, just like other people, life is also woven into other things just to survive in this world. This is how strong Filipinos are, they can do anything to continue their lives for themselves and especially for their loved ones. Her story also shows how strong a woman is and how she loves the people who are always there by her side.