Piña fiber’s ‘power’
BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN

PIÑA is a soft, delicate textured fabric from Aklan. The durable fibers of the piña cloth come from premium mature leaves of pineapples of the Red Spanish variety and are woven by highly skilled and patient weavers, mostly old women who have inherited their weaving skills from their elders. Aklan is known as the Piña Capital of the World.
The use of piña in the olden times tended to follow power as it helped create an impressive image, a statement of authority, power and legitimacy to the one wearing it. It even inspired controversy because it fed vanity as people, especially the women, competed with one another for elegance in dress.
Modernity drove the wearing of the fabric almost to extinction when changes in fashion later on promoted trade during the 1700 as imported fabrics such as cotton were imported to the Philippines.
Clothing up to this day continues to function as a social sign. Where a person garbed in piña fabric still serves as an indication of one’s status and wealth and keeping up with piña fashion proved expensive. It is expensive because preparing the fiber is laborious and painful. The fabric is no longer than 30 inches and it almost take at least two months of solid work for a weaver to produce ten meters of the piña cloth. The weaver’s hand sometimes bear scars from cuts they get from the sharp fiber. Favored automated processes of weaving fabrics were made and a great variety possible. But, the used of the piña thread is so fine that weaving it cannot be mechanized. Weaving piña fibers is far more burdensome than cotton or silk.
The piña fabric can have designs, either inlaid or embroidered with popular local designs such as flowers, coconut trees and nipa huts, and are worked in thread and a needle.

The fabric can last longer than any other if cared for properly. Its original texture and color can last for decades thus, making it a sound investment for fashion. It is also known for its amusing shine and strength and is usually pale ecru in color but can be dyed and can produce colors of black or blues.
Although popular these days are many textiles produced by automated processes, these weavers continue to create this beautiful fabric on hand-looms.
The growing economic and cultural influence in clothing, perceived a more democratic and more natural in terms of design, the fabric used and clothing style. However, there are still those who drew their fashion inspiration from the past.