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CSC president pioneers in using Abaca silk as 'toga'
When Dr. Minerva I. Morales wore her academic vestments during her investiture as the sixth President of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC), she garbed not only the distinction and honor of her doctorate degree. She likewise wore with pride the resplendence of Catanduanes abaca silk or pinukpok fiber which made up her academic hood and parts of the academic robe or ‘toga.’

Dr. Morales’ pioneering use of abaca pinukpok as academic gown FELEVATING ABACA TO A CLASS IT DESERVES - The majesty of Catanduanes abaca silk fiber gives a distinctive tone and luster to the CSC President's 'toga', specifically the entire hood, sleeve patches and panels, during her investiture on December 9, 2011. textile signaled the opening of another potential niche for the abaca industry.

Aside from being used in various handicraft businesses and either as pure or hybrid garment in high fashion industry, the CSC President’s innovative use of abaca pinukpok gives an indigenous theme to the otherwise Western-inspired ‘toga.’

The CSC President’s academic hood was entirely made of abaca pinukpok dyed in black. The upper lining depicting the doctorate degree was tinted in blue. The patches on the sleeves and the panels flowing around the neck and draping down the front of the gown indicating academic discipline were also made of abaca pinukpok.

The academic attire was done by Apanti Development Company (APC) based in Baras, Catanduanes.

APC began as a DOST-assisted small-scale business known as the Tupa ng Baras Multi-Purpose Coop., Inc. in 1994. It produces export quality abaca pinukpok fiber.

Support to abaca development
Dr. Morales’ use of the abaca textile is in support to the promotional projects on abaca fabric of Bicol Consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD).

BCARRD, according to its consortium Director, Dr. Ninfa R. Pelea, passed a resolution promoting to HEIs and to the SUPERIOR FIBERM - the making of abaca pinukpok cloth. (Photo credit:www.da.bicol.gov.ph)Commission on Higher Education the use of abaca silk as fabric for ‘toga.’

BCARRD views colleges and universities as “veritable market for abaca pinukpok, which could contribute to increased demand for abaca.”

“BCARRD congratulates CSC and its newly installed president, Dr. Morales, for the ‘statement’ created about the abaca silk in particular and the abaca industry in general,” Dr. Pelea said.

She added that this simple action has elevated abaca to a level it deserves, equivalent to if not better than the fibers academic vestments are traditionally made from, like imported silk and velvet.

“As a product, which has evolved with the history of the Bicol region, the abaca silk represents part of the region's cultural heritage. The status of the abaca industry remains closely entwined with economic well-being of a significant proportion of Bicolanos, especially in the the rural areas”, the BCARRD Director added.

Dr. Pelea further said that the CSC's leadership in using abaca pinukpok in academic vestments will not only elevate its class among the textiles and fabrics, but create for its demand that will be go a long way in uplifting the abaca industry stakeholders who remain to be the poorest of the poor.

“The occasion when thousands of graduates don academic gowns to mark a milestone in their lives, could also become a chance of helping the abaca farmers cross the poverty line, if only all colleges and universities would follow the example of CSC,” Pelea emphasized.

Economic fabric
Abaca pinukpok production, according to the Department of Department of Science and Technology – Catanduanes Provincial Office, involves weaving fine abaca or in combination with silk to a predetermined fabric construction, followed by chemical treatment and repeated mechanical softening. It undergoes pressing thus imparting to the fabric the desired flattened, supple and compact appearance.

The use of a motorized rotary press assures faster and more efficient quality control of the finished material than the traditional normal hammering process using wooden mallet.

The Fiber Industry Development Authority likewise heralds the emergence of abaca fiber as a fashion component, citing its being featured in the Philippine Fashion Week as a “contemporary and wearable collection.”

BCARRD, which is a network of 17 agencies in the Bicol Region involved in research, development and extension endeavors in agriculture, forestry, environment and natural resources, affirms that abaca fiber has been proven to be three times stronger than cotton and silk fiber produced by silkworm and that no fiber of equal strength and pliancy has been found.

Catanduanes remains to be the top abaca-producing province in the Philippines, contributing an average of 19, 764 metric tons or 25.5 percent share in the national production, according to FIDA.

All of the 11 towns in Catanduanes produce abaca, with the municipalities of Pandan, Caramoran, Bato and Baras having the biggest number of barangays engaged in abaca farming. Of the 45,109 hectares of the province’s agricultural land, 32,506 of it are planted with abaca.

Abuab, considered as the best abaca variety, grows well in Catanduanes.