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Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center in Brooke’s Point, Palawan.

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Recently, I had the unique opportunity to travel to the southern part of Palawan, a trip curated and organized by the Palawan Tourism Council together with the Tourism Promotions Board. Among the many impressive stops on our itinerary was the Taking Buat Tipoh Mat Weavers Association Weaving Center, under the dedicated guidance of Arit Kulihim. Also referred to as the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center, this remarkable place offers visitors a firsthand look at the intricate artistry and cultural significance of traditional mat weaving in Southern Palawan.

Products of Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center in Brooke's Point Palawan

Tucked away in Brooke’s Point, Palawan, the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center highlights a tradition that has shaped both culture and livelihood in the community. Here, the Jama Mapun practice of weaving pandan mats—a craft passed down through generations—was kept alive and became a source of livelihood for the locals. The center serves as both a cultural hub and a source of income, making it vital to the identity and economy of Oring-Oring.

More than just a weaving center, the place offers a glimpse into the daily lives of artisans who transform natural materials into functional and artistic mats. Each piece reflects patience, skill, and heritage, giving the craft a value that extends beyond its practical use.

The story of Oring-Oring’s weaving tradition connects art, community, and livelihood in a way that is both practical and meaningful. Exploring this center provides insight into how local culture thrives while supporting families and preserving ancestral knowledge.

Jama Mapun Mats at Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center in Palawan

The weaving center is located in Barangay Oring-Oring, a coastal village in the municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan. This barangay has a population of a little over 2,200 based on the 2020 census.

Travelers can reach Brooke’s Point by land from Puerto Princesa City, which is about 190 kilometers away. From the town proper, Barangay Oring-Oring is accessible by tricycle or motorcycle, making it easy for visitors to reach.

The center is situated within the community itself, close to where many of the weavers live. This allows artisans to balance their weaving work with household responsibilities. Its location also makes it possible for tourists and buyers to directly observe the weaving process and purchase finished mats on site.

Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center in Brooke's Point

The Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center was established in 2019 with the support of the local government through the Municipal Tourism Office. Its creation aimed to provide a dedicated space for Jama Mapun weavers to continue their craft in an organized and sustainable way.

The center focuses on banig weaving, locally called tipo. Each mat can take anywhere from 15 to 30 days to complete, depending on the design and availability of materials. Pandan leaves are the primary raw material, which are harvested, dried, and dyed before weaving.

By centralizing weaving activities, the center helps preserve traditional knowledge while also strengthening the economic base of the community. It acts as both a workshop and a marketplace, ensuring that the craft remains visible and accessible to outsiders.

For the people of Barangay Oring-Oring, the weaving center is more than a workplace. It provides steady income opportunities for women, especially those from the Jama Mapun group, who have passed down weaving skills through generations.

The center also plays a role in cultural preservation. It safeguards a practice tied to identity, history, and artistry, ensuring that younger members of the community remain connected to their heritage.

Beyond culture, the center contributes to the local economy of Brooke’s Point. Finished mats and related products are sold to visitors and traders, creating a small but important flow of income into the barangay.

Through its presence, the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center strengthens both cultural continuity and community resilience in southern Palawan.

The Art of Mat Weaving in Oring-Oring

Traditional Techniques and Materials

Weavers in Oring-Oring rely on manual methods that require patience and precision. Each mat, or banig, is created without modern machinery. Instead, women use hand tools like knives for cutting leaves and wooden sticks for flattening and smoothing fibers.

Patterns are carefully planned before weaving begins. Designs often feature geometric shapes and repeating lines. These patterns are not only decorative but also serve as markers of identity for the Jama Mapun women who are known for this craft.

The process includes several steps:

Harvesting leaves
Drying and flattening fibers
Dyeing with natural or commercial colors
Weaving into finished mats

The time it takes to complete a mat depends on its size and detail. Larger mats with intricate designs may require weeks of steady work.

Pandan as the Primary Material

The pandan plant grows naturally in the lowland areas of Palawan, making it the primary resource for mat weaving. Its long, sturdy leaves are ideal for weaving because they are flexible when softened but durable once dried.

Before weaving, the leaves are boiled or sun-dried to remove moisture. This treatment prevents brittleness and extends the life of the mat. Some weavers also dye the pandan strips in bright colors before weaving to create more vibrant designs.

A simple comparison of pandan qualities:

Property Benefit in Weaving

Flexibility	Easier to weave patterns
Durability	Mats last longer
Availability	Locally sourced material

The use of pandan connects the weaving tradition to the environment, as families often gather and prepare the leaves themselves.

Jama Mapun Women’s Role

Jama Mapun women in Oring-Oring play a central role in mat weaving. They pass down weaving skills from one generation to the next, ensuring the craft remains part of daily life. The mats, often colorful and patterned, reflect cultural traditions tied to the community’s Islamic heritage.

Weaving also provides a steady source of income. Many women use their earnings to help with household needs, children’s education, and community activities. This balance of cultural preservation and economic support makes weaving an important part of their lives.

The women work together in the weaving center, creating a space not only for production but also for social connection. This collaboration strengthens ties among families and reinforces the value of their shared identity as Jama Mapun.

Training and Skill Development

Skill development is a key part of sustaining mat weaving in Brooke’s Point. Experienced weavers, such as master artisans, often train younger women to ensure the knowledge does not fade. This training includes both weaving techniques and preparation methods like dyeing and bleaching of materials.

Workshops and community sessions encourage younger members to take interest in weaving. Films and cultural programs have also highlighted the art form, raising awareness about its importance and inspiring youth to learn.

The weaving center provides a structured space where training can take place. By combining traditional skills with new methods of promotion, the community increases both the quality of products and the confidence of the weavers.

Support from Local Authorities

Local authorities in Brooke’s Point have played a role in supporting the weaving center. The Municipal Tourism Office (MTO) helped establish the center to give women a stable place to work and sell their products. This support has made weaving more sustainable as a livelihood.

Government programs also assist in marketing the mats beyond the local community. Displays at regional events, such as travel fairs, showcase the Jama Mapun’s craft to a wider audience. This exposure helps increase demand and recognition.

By backing the weaving center, local leaders encourage both cultural preservation and economic growth. Their involvement ensures that mat weaving continues to benefit families in Oring-Oring while keeping the Jama Mapun tradition visible in Palawan.

Types of Mats and Crafts

The most well-known product of the center is the banig, a handwoven mat made from dried and processed pandan leaves. These mats are often large enough for sleeping or sitting, but smaller versions are also made for household use.

Weaving a single mat can take several weeks, especially during the rainy season when drying materials takes longer. Each mat is woven tightly to ensure durability and comfort.

Aside from mats, the weavers also produce smaller crafts such as table runners, placemats, and wall hangings. These items use the same weaving techniques but in more compact forms, making them suitable for both daily use and decorative purposes.

The center’s products are sold locally and occasionally showcased at regional trade fairs, helping to bring recognition to the community’s weaving tradition.

Distinctive Patterns and Colors

One of the defining features of Oring-Oring weaving is the use of two layers in some mats, with a top side and a back side. This allows for stronger weaving and more complex designs.

The Jama Mapun women create patterns that are geometric and symmetrical, often using repeating shapes such as diamonds, zigzags, and stripes. These designs are carefully planned before weaving begins.

Colors are introduced by dyeing pandan strips. Common shades include red, green, yellow, and black, which are combined with the natural beige of dried pandan. The contrast between light and dark tones makes the designs stand out clearly.

Each mat reflects a balance between utility and artistry, showing how traditional weaving adapts to both cultural expression and practical needs.

Bag and Accessory Creations

Beyond mats, the center has expanded into making bags and fashion accessories. These products use the same pandan weaving but are shaped and stitched into modern, portable items.

Handwoven bags come in different sizes, from small purses to larger shoulder bags. Some are left in natural pandan shades, while others are dyed with bold colors for a more striking look.

Accessories such as wallets, coin purses, passport holders and pouches are also crafted. These items appeal to buyers who want functional yet handmade goods that carry cultural value.

By diversifying into bags and accessories, the weaving center provides more income opportunities for the women weavers while keeping their traditional skills relevant in today’s market.

Tourism and Promotion

Weaving has become a cultural attraction in Brooke’s Point. Visitors often stop at the Oring-Oring center to see how pandan mats are made and to purchase finished products. This brings direct sales for the weavers and raises awareness of Jama Mapun traditions.

Tourists not only buy mats but also value the experience of watching the weaving process. This interaction gives artisans a chance to explain the cultural meaning behind the craft.

Local government and social enterprises promote the weaving center through events, tours, and online platforms. These efforts help link the community to wider markets, creating both cultural and economic benefits.

The weaving center’s visibility has also encouraged schools and youth groups to learn about the tradition, ensuring that younger generations understand its role in Palawan’s cultural identity.

Melo Villareal at Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center

Visiting the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center

Visitor Experience and Activities

Travelers who visit the weaving center in Barangay Oring-Oring can watch how pandan leaves are transformed into colorful mats. The process includes drying, dyeing, and weaving, which artisans perform with skill passed down through generations.

Guided visits often allow guests to sit with the weavers and ask questions about techniques and patterns. This interaction helps visitors understand the cultural value of the craft beyond its practical use.

The center also provide short hands-on activities. Tourists may try weaving simple strips under the guidance of experienced Jama Mapun women. These sessions are brief but give participants an appreciation of the patience and precision required.

Photography is usually welcome, but guests are encouraged to be respectful. Taking time to observe the details of the weaving process adds to the experience and highlights the artistry of the community.

Purchasing Souvenirs

The weaving center offers a range of products for sale, from traditional sleeping mats to smaller items. Common products include:

Pandan mats in various sizes
Handbags and wallets
Table runners and placemats
Decorative wall pieces

Buying directly from the center ensures that proceeds go to the Jama Mapun weavers. Prices vary depending on size and design, but all items reflect the time and effort invested in their creation.

Visitors often find that mats made in Oring-Oring differ from those in other parts of Palawan due to unique patterns and color combinations. Each piece is handmade, so no two products are exactly alike.

Purchasing souvenirs also helps sustain the weaving tradition. Tourists bring home practical and meaningful items while supporting the livelihood of women in the barangay.

Melo Villareal with one of the Jama Mapun Mat Weavers in Oring-Oring, Brooke's Point, Palawan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours of the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center?

The center usually follows daytime working hours, opening in the morning and closing by late afternoon. Since schedules may vary depending on community activities, it is best to confirm with the Brooke’s Point Municipal Tourism Office before visiting.

Can visitors participate in a mat weaving workshop at the center?

Yes, visitors may join guided weaving sessions. These workshops allow them to try basic weaving techniques with the help of local artisans, though the complexity of full mats requires weeks of work by skilled weavers.

What types of mats are produced at the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center?

The weavers produce banig or sleeping mats made from pandan leaves. Designs range from simple patterns to detailed styles that can take 15 to 30 days to finish, depending on size and intricacy.

Are there any cultural significance or traditional patterns unique to the mats woven in Brookespoint?

Yes — the mats woven in Brooke’s Point, Palawan, particularly by the Jama Mapun and other indigenous groups, hold deep cultural significance as symbols of hospitality, social ties, and heritage, often exchanged during weddings, rituals, and community gatherings. These mats are crafted from pandanus leaves and feature distinctive geometric and nature-inspired patterns—such as zigzags, diamonds, and star-like motifs—that not only beautify the mats but also carry symbolic meanings tied to fertility, protection, and harmony with the environment, making them unique cultural treasures of the region.

How can one purchase mats from the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center?

You can purchase mats from the Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center in Barangay Oring-Oring, Brooke’s Point, Palawan, by visiting the center directly, where local Jama Mapun women weavers sell their handcrafted pandan mats and other artisanal products; they also participate in trade fairs such as the Philippine Travel Mart in Manila, where their products are showcased and sold, and interested buyers can reach out through their official Facebook page (Oring-Oring Mat Weaving Center) to inquire about orders, availability, and possible shipping arrangements.

Does the center offer educational tours or programs for schools and other groups?

Yes, the center accommodates educational visits. Schools and organizations often arrange tours that include demonstrations, lectures on weaving traditions, and hands-on activities to understand the craft’s role in local culture and economy.