World’s Longest Mat

The people of the agricultural town of Basey, Samar own the distinction of having weaved the world’s longest mat, or “banig” in the local parlance. During the town’s Banigan-Kawayan Festival on September 29, 2000, hundreds of people paraded the mat, which extended for more than a kilometer.

The one-meter wide mat has been weaved for several weeks by groups of people from the different barangays of Basey. While the mat was not submitted as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records, Basey Mayor Wilfredo Estorninos described the feat as a source of pride for all Basaynons.

Each year, the town, which has weaving as its prime industry, comes to life when it celebrates outlandishly the feast of St. Michael, its patron saint. The highlight of the feast is the Banigan-Kawayan Festival, where the women of Basey weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass locally known as tikog (Fimbristylis milliacea). This tradition was handed down from many generations. The Church of Basey was built in 1864.

Posted on March 19, 2009 by dhezza

Source : http://kwentongpinas.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/worlds-longest-mat/

 

Basey banig maker wins Gawad Ginintuang Award

Delza Morales holding the gold trophy for winning the 2011 Gawad Ginuntuang Award
PALO, Leyte – An entrepreneur engaged in weaving mats and making bags in Basey, Samar has received this year’s Gawad Ginintuang Award during the recently concluded National Trade Fair, a showcase of all best indigenous products in the country. 

Delza Morales, proprietor of Delza’s Native Product, has topped among the hundreds participants of the nationwide event held at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

“Our very own producer was honored for exceptional entrepreneurial attainment leading to success, inspiring other entrepreneurs to persevere and pursue excellence,” said Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Cynthia Nierras.

The Gawad Ginintuang Yaman honors the extraordinary contributions of individuals or institutions in uplifting the Philippine economy through their own advocacies or respective businesses. It is a salute to the outstanding efforts of private or government organizations and individuals in supporting NTF and contributing to its legacy.

According to the DTI official, Morales got the award not just because of her product’s quality made out of native materials but also in providing livelihood to women’s group in Basey, Samar.

This year’s National Trade Fair was participated in by small and medium enterprises in Eastern Visayas including Cristy’s Craft House, TAPs Handmade Products, UPWARD, J&J Abaca Handicraft, Charito’s Delights, and Delza’s Native Products.

Partcipants from the region has recorded a P3.7 million sales, placing the region in the eighth rank among the 16 regions that joined the annual event. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

Source: http://leytesamardaily.net/2011/05/basey-banig-maker-wins-gawad-ginintuang-award/