Avrane Blas L. Pagadian

Blas’ Works

For Weaving Materials, Blas uses rattan and bamboo strips with objects ranging from tamed to the exotic such as animal bones for the focal piece of his crafted accessories and charms. It is said that parts from animal bones like a tooth or a claw as charms prevent malicious spirits. Auspicious plants are also incorporated for his handmade weaved charms as it is believed in their culture that it symbolizes prosperity. These materials are commonly bought at the local public market in Baguio city. He meticulously rationed a bundle for different projects whether a bundle can quantify for a specific amount of weaved jewelries, knife, weaponry or bottle handles and containers.

In cordilleran basketry the use of Braiding patterns or “Ka-sil” for “Inapid ” or bag straps for the purpose of everyday utilization such as carrying farming or carpentry tools or even vegetables are Blas’s basis for his crafts. He Incorporates his weaving process with certain measurements and patterns, drawing inspiration from the symbolisms and philosophies of the “Star of David ” as seen from his craft works and the principle of the “Fibonacci Sequence” or the “Golden Ratio”. This reflects on how strategic and meaningful his work is. For his process of weaving, he looks for a point that he’ll use to start to weave or braid. For finer strips of rattan with the width of 5 millimeters, he uses his tools which consists of dowels, knives, clippers and cutters, to carefully and strategically braid following his planned pattern. After he covers an area by weaving, he locks the end of the strip by inserting it within the braiding to create an illusion of continuity. It takes three to eight weeks to accomplish projects such as hats or baskets depending on the size but it only takes him a day to finish projects such as bag straps and weaponry or cup handles.

Blas is mostly known for his wrapping technique in weaving that he learned from his mentor. His broad take on his craftwork differs from the other weavers for his emphasis on the purpose of functionality that benefits carpenters, farmers and miners, given the long lasting quality due to how he takes proper maintenance for his crafts especially that weavers like him offer a natural and organic approach especially on the materials they use and in their traditional methods. The tedious process of cleaning his works takes up to one to three days but it’s still necessary as his works can last up to years when properly maintained.

What Blas loves about being an artisan and being a spiritual and methodical person is that every project that he does, he interprets it as his way to meditate. A minor nitpick that he dislikes about what he does is that while weaving rattan, it is unavoidable to get splinters from its edges but with practice, the instances of getting a splinter lessens. Nevertheless it’s all part of the process of learning and gaining creative experience. In the topic of learning, he generously shared his experiences and knowledge to BIBAK students (BIBAK is an acronym for the subgroups of the Cordillera country: Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao and Kalinga.). He also taught them the importance of the demand of traditional goods for business sustainability. He also taught the students about the cultural heritage, for their art that is taught through shared knowledge includes the importance of cleaning of rattan and the meaningful process of basic weaving.

In Blas’s opinion, A well made craft that can withstand the natural elements with its stability is worthy of praise. His crafts are at high value not only due to his workmanship, it’s not just because of the materials used but the amount of time and extensive labor that they invest even for his level of mastery. It may be very valuable in terms of its price but the outcome of a craft done will leave you astonished for you’ll have a piece of their valuable culture in your possession.