Artisan Spotlight Series: Meet Nanay Corazon

When we think about the heart of TERNO by TCG, we think of the hands that bring our pieces to life—hands like Nanay Corazon’s. Worn by time yet steady with skill, her hands tell a story of dedication, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between craft and culture.

We had the pleasure of meeting Nanay Corazon and her wonderful family of weavers in Santiago, Ilocos Sur. Their small yet vibrant weaving centre is a place of history, passion, and deep-rooted tradition. It was clear to us how much this craft means to them—not just as a livelihood, but as a legacy. Their craftsmanship is a cultural treasure that all Filipinos should recognize, take pride in, and wholeheartedly support.

At 84 years old, Nanay Corazon is one of the oldest weavers in Ilocos Sur—a living testament to the beauty of tradition. She was born into a family of weavers, learning the craft from her parents and grandparents, just as they did before her. To this day, she continues to weave inabel, our cherished native fabric, using a free-standing loom powered by nothing but her hands and heart—no electricity, just pure artistry passed down through generations.

Nanay Corazon and Babylyn Buchan, co-founder of The Cultured Group LLC.

Despite her age, Nanay Corazon still wakes up each day to weave. With every rhythmic motion of her loom, she weaves not just fabric, but our cultural identity—a piece of history, a connection to our roots. And proudly, her children and even great-grandchildren have embraced her legacy, ensuring that the tradition of inabel weaving will live on. Their small weaving centre does more than support their family—it sustains an entire community of Filipino artisans.

Supporting artisans like Nanay Corazon is more than just an act of appreciation; it is our responsibility—a promise to keep our heritage alive. Every piece of inabel you bring into your wardrobe or home is a gift of continuity—a thread that connects the past, present, and future of Filipino craftsmanship.

We invite you to be part of this legacy. Support handcrafted pieces woven with love, history, and the spirit of our ancestors.

Maraming salamat for championing Filipino artisans, for valuing their craft, and for ensuring that the next generation will still hear the rhythmic sound of the loom—Nanay Corazon’s legacy, woven into every thread.

Nanay Corazon with her daughters and granddaughters weaving in their humble workshop.

Nanay Corazon's great-granddaughter who also weaves during her free time after school. 

Some of the inabel textiles handwoven by the family.