CultureAugust 27, 2026
abaca
uh-BAH-kuh
Definition
A strong, durable fiber derived from the leaf stalks of a plant related to the banana, widely used in Filipino traditional crafts and modern textile design.
Etymology
The word comes from Spanish, which borrowed it from the Tagalog language; it refers to the plant known scientifically as Musa textilis.
In the news
The designer uses abaca in his collection to experiment with textures while honoring and supporting Filipino artisans through his material choices.
Ehrran Montoya channels celestial inspiration into ethereal celebration wear
Read the full article ↗Manila Bulletin