Southern Philippine city revives native crafts to boost tourism

The local government of Cagayan de Oro, one of the major cities in the southern Philippines, announced its plans to revive its traditional pottery and weaving industries as part of a broader effort to promote local tourism and trade.

Joyleen Balaba, a councillor for the second district of the city, stated the city council is collaborating with fellow officials and local artisans to revive the pottery trade, locally known as kolon. 

Balaba added that the city is also gathering more data on traditional weaving practices, especially in rural districts with Indigenous communities. 

By doing so, they aim to position these native crafts as attractions unique to the city, as well as products with great potential as exports. 

The city’s Bulua district was a hub for artisanal pottery production, for the better part of three decades. Aside from resident potters, the clay used was locally sourced from within the community. 

Prior to the pandemic, the district also hosted an annual Kolon Festival which celebrated the expertise of local craftsmen and the quality of their work.