The Art and Craft of Bohol: Local Industries and Traditions

You might know Bohol for the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers. But there’s a whole other side to this island. It’s a place where people still weave baskets and fabrics by hand, using methods passed down for generations. Two main crafts stand out: bukag basketry in the town of Antequera and saguran weaving in Inabanga and Tubigon. These aren’t just souvenirs. They’re living traditions that tell the story of Boholano life, from farming tools to high-fashion runways.

If you’re planning a trip to Bohol, adding a stop in Antequera, Inabanga, or Tubigon gives you something most tourists miss. You get to see how things are actually made. You can talk to the weavers. You might even bring home a piece that supports a whole community. Here’s what you need to know about these crafts and how to experience them yourself.

Bukag Baskets: The Original Farmer’s Tool

Antequera’s basket-weaving story started over a hundred years ago. In 1911, families in Barangay Bicahan began making bukag — large baskets woven from bamboo splits and Uway vine. Uway is a type of rattan, also called Calamus rotang. These baskets were built tough. Farmers used them to haul rice seedlings from the nursery to the fields.

Over time, the bukag got smaller and more refined. Weavers started selling them as “market baskets” at local tabo (markets) for just a few centavos each. That small income helped families survive. Then the government stepped in. The National Cottage Industries Development Authority (NACIDA) gave weavers professional training and mechanical tools. Soon, Antequera baskets reached buyers outside the Philippines.

Today, the tradition is getting a fresh push. In May 2025, the National Museum of the Philippines Bohol ran a month-long program called “Bukag: Exploring the Craft, Heritage, and Sustainability of Boholano Basketry.” It happened every Thursday of the month. Weavers themselves led hands-on workshops. They showed participants the traditional patterns and methods. The museum also displayed woven products from Antequera all through May. The program was part of National Heritage Month 2025, with the theme “Preserving Legacies, Building Futures: Empowering Communities Through Heritage.” It also lined up with Republic Act 11904, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which aims to protect indigenous craftsmanship and cultural intellectual property.

Why does this matter now? Bohol is a UNESCO Global Geopark. That designation makes preserving Antequera’s basketry even more urgent. The craft is part of the island’s cultural landscape. If you visit, you can see the weavers at work in Barangay Bicahan. Ask around at the Antequera municipal tourism office — they can point you to the right homes and workshops.

Saguran Weaving: Bohol’s Last Textile Tradition

While Antequera is known for baskets, the towns of Inabanga and Tubigon are where you’ll find saguran. This is a fabric woven from buri palm leaves. And here’s the surprising part: it’s the only textile-weaving tradition still alive in the whole Central Visayas region. Everywhere else, the practice has died out.

The material comes from the leaf shoots of the buri palm (Corypha elata), called buli in Cebuano. Workers wash the leaves, soak them, dry them, and then knot the strips into longer strands. Those strands are woven on wooden upright foot looms called hagbanan. The process is slow and labor-intensive.

Saguran has a long history. Before woven cloth, early Boholanos wore tree bark textiles. You can still find stone bark-cloth beaters in museums. Later, saguran became everyday material — used as mats, as linings for drying rice, and even as uniforms for soldiers during World War II. In the 1980s, a woman named Asteria Caberte started promoting saguran and experimenting with dyes. She earned the title “Mother of Saguran Weaving.”

Today, most saguran production is centered in Tubigon. The Tubigon Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative was formed in 1989. It has about 60 weavers, mostly women. They produce placemats, table runners, leis, and home decor items. The Abarquez family runs the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, which sells saguran products locally and internationally.

But saguran is also moving into fashion. In June 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines Bohol organized an event called “Weaving with Pride” at the old provincial capitol building in Tagbilaran City. Six Boholano LGBTQ+ fashion designers created pieces using saguran. Five transgender women modeled the designs on the runway. The show even featured the Loboc Children’s Choir. It was a big deal — a traditional craft meeting modern fashion and celebrating LGBTQ+ contributions at the same time.

One designer, Shanon Pamaong, created a collection called “The Global Geopark Bohol.” He used saguran in its natural color, inspired by Bohol’s limestone karst landscape. Another designer, Christian Relator, showed a “Grandiflora Collection” in deep red. The event proved saguran can be more than just placemats. But there’s a catch. Saguran is coarse. It needs finer weaving to work well as clothing. Pamaong and Caberte both agree: the material still needs refinement to match other Philippine weaves like Piña or banana fiber. For now, designers use saguran as detachable attachments to dresses rather than the main fabric.

Best Time to Visit the Weaving Towns

You can visit Antequera, Inabanga, and Tubigon year-round. The weavers work indoors, so rain doesn’t stop them. But timing matters if you want to see special events or workshops.

The National Museum of the Philippines Bohol runs heritage programs throughout the year. The bukag program in May 2025 was a one-off for National Heritage Month, but similar events could happen again. Check the NMP Bohol social media pages or the municipal tourism offices for upcoming workshops. If you’re lucky, you might catch a hands-on session where weavers teach traditional patterns.

For saguran, the “Weaving with Pride” fashion show was a one-time event in June 2024. But the Tubigon Loomweavers Cooperative operates year-round. You can visit their workshop any weekday. The weavers are usually there from morning until early afternoon. Weekends are quieter — many weavers attend church or rest.

Getting There and Getting Around

All three towns are within easy reach of Tagbilaran City, Bohol’s capital. You can rent a tricycle, hire a private van, or take a multicab (shared jeepney). Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.

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Antequera is the closest — about a 30-minute drive from Tagbilaran. Tubigon and Inabanga are farther, about 1 to 1.5 hours by road. The roads are generally paved, but some barangay roads can be narrow. If you’re driving yourself, a motorcycle or small car is fine. For groups, a van is more comfortable.

For Antequera, head to Barangay Bicahan. That’s where the bukag tradition started. Ask at the municipal hall for directions to the weavers’ homes. For Tubigon, go directly to the Tubigon Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. They have a workshop and a small showroom. The Tubigon Raffia Gallery, run by the Abarquez family, also sells saguran products. In Inabanga, the weaving is more scattered — the tourism office can connect you with local weavers.

What to Actually Do There

Watch a Weaving Demo

This is the main reason to go. In Antequera, you can watch weavers split bamboo and Uway vine by hand. They work fast. A single bukag basket can take hours to finish. In Tubigon, you’ll see the upright foot looms in action. The weavers pump the pedals and throw the shuttle back and forth. It’s rhythmic and hypnotic. Ask questions — most weavers are happy to explain their process.

Buy Directly from the Artisans

Buying direct means the weaver gets the full price, not a middleman. In Antequera, bukag baskets range from small market baskets to large storage pieces. Prices vary by size and complexity. In Tubigon, the cooperative sells placemats, table runners, and home decor. You can also find saguran fabric by the meter if you want to have something custom-made. Cash is king — there are no card terminals in the workshops.

Attend a Heritage Workshop (If Timing Works)

The National Museum of the Philippines Bohol occasionally runs workshops. The bukag program in May 2025 included hands-on sessions where participants learned to weave basic patterns. These workshops are announced on the NMP Bohol Facebook page and through local tourism offices. If you’re planning a trip, check a few weeks ahead. Spots may be limited.

Visit the Tubigon Raffia Gallery

This is the best place to see a wide range of saguran products in one spot. The Abarquez family has been in the business for decades. They sell to buyers in the Philippines and abroad. The gallery is small but packed with examples — from simple placemats to intricate woven bags. You can also see how saguran is dyed and finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bohol’s crafts are more than just things to buy. They’re a window into how people here have lived for generations. The weavers in Antequera, Tubigon, and Inabanga are keeping traditions alive with their own hands. When you visit, you’re not just a tourist. You’re supporting a craft that could easily disappear without support. Go see the bukag being woven. Watch the saguran looms clack. Talk to the artisans. And if you buy something, you’re taking home a piece of Bohol’s real story.

If this was useful, you might also want to read Bohol’s food scene: a culinary adventure you need to taste.

Sources

Experience the unique culture, traditions, and festivities of Bohol — A deeper look at Bohol’s festivals and cultural practices beyond crafts.

Bohol’s best kept secrets: locals reveal hidden gems — Off-the-beaten-path spots in Bohol, including artisan communities.

Preserving Bukag: Celebrating Boholano Basketry in Antequera. Philstar, 2025.

Old Saguran in New Styles. Daily Tribune, 2024.