Ati Komunidad Takes on Nito Weaving, Preserves Boracay’s Heritage

 

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) celebrated this year’s Thanksgiving by supporting the Ati Komunidad of Boracay as they took on the challenge of mastering nito weaving, a traditional Filipino craft. Anchored on the theme “Weaving Heritage, Planting Hope,” the project underscores MHR’s commitment to preserving Filipino craftsmanship while creating sustainable income opportunities for indigenous communities.

 

Ms. Maia Israel (seated at center), Area General Manager of Boracay Newcoast, and the heads of departments of Chancellor Hotel Boracay supported Ati Komunidad as they train on nito weaving conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry.

“The Ati people are the original caretakers of Boracay. By nurturing livelihood opportunities for them, we honor their legacy and help ensure that progress on the island includes them. They are the heart of this island long before it became the destination we all know today. By investing in programs like nito weaving, we hope to uplift their lives and give back to the community that has given us so much,” Ms. Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

 

19 members of Ati Komunidad actively participated in the 10-day nito weaving training organized by Chancellor Hotel Boracay.

Celebrating Heritage and Craftsmanship at Chancellor Hotel Boracay

Each year, MHR chooses a beneficiary community to honor during its Thanksgiving tradition. This year, the group extends its support to the Ati community in Boracay. As part of the initiative, MHR hosted a 10-day nito weaving training and graduation in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The training was held at the Ati Village beginning November 10, 2025 and gathered 19 Ati participants eager to learn the craft from Francia Escote, an accredited DTI trainer whose own journey began as a student in similar workshops. 

Today, Escote runs her own brand, Franz Handicrafts, and now teaches others how to turn this heritage craft into a sustainable livelihood. The training culminated on November 21 during MHR’s annual Thanksgiving celebration at the soon- to-open Chancellor Hotel Boracay. Top MHR executives and the Provincial Director of DTI-Aklan, Mr. Romel Amihan, personally awarded certificates to all 19 graduates. All participants were honored and given the chance to showcase their handcrafted nito creations.

The Ati Komunidad is the chosen partner community of Boracay Newcoast properties under the MEGreen Mindful Stay initiative.

 

Part of the Thanksgiving celebration is the introduction of MHR’s MEGreen Mindful Stays, the unified sustainability stay program designed for today’s rising breed of conscious travelers who seek meaning and positive impact in every journey, in which the Ati Komunidad is the partner community of Boracay Newcoast properties. 

“We all know that nito is flexible, durable, and naturally beautiful, just like the Ati,” said Maia Israel, Area General Manager of Boracay Newcoast properties. “We see in you the same resilience and hard work that continue to thrive despite changing times. As vanguards of Filipino culture and heritage, MHR hopes to help preserve the art of nito weaving. That is why we partnered with DTI-Aklan, who guided us in learning this skill, which can also serve as an additional source of livelihood.”

L-R: Mr. Arturo Boncato Jr. (Group General Manager of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts), Ms. Maia Israel (Area General Manager for Boracay Newcoast), Mr. Romel Amihan (Provincial Director of DTI- Aklan), Ms. Cleofe Albiso (Managing Director), Mr. Socrates Alvaro (Cluster General Manager – Boracay), and Mr. Avinash Menon (Cluster General Manager – Visayas), awarded certificates to all Ati Komunidad members who attended the training for nito weaving.

 

Love for Country Shines

Nito weaving, a tradition rooted deeply in Filipino and indigenous artistry, uses the strong and glossy nito vine to produce baskets, placemats, trays, bags, hats, jars, and other lifestyle pieces. Aklan is home to many nito artisans, and its weaving industry continues to thrive locally and internationally. 

The practice is both a livelihood and a social activity. In the past, women once gathered to weave as they bonded with family, often passing on the skill to their daughters through shared moments of crafting. One Ati trainee fondly recalled weaving vines into baskets with her mother as a child. By reviving nito weaving, MHR helps ensure that this timeless Filipino craft continues to be celebrated by future generations.

 

This initiative mirrors MHR’s Circle of Happiness pillar, Love for Country, which champions the preservation and celebration of Filipino culture and heritage. Through this initiative, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts hopes to open new doors for the Ati Komunidad, connecting them to potential buyers, local retailers, and exporters who continue to see the value and beauty of handwoven nito products. May this inspire more people to discover their work and, in their own way, help keep this meaningful craft alive. 

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts: Global One Hotel Group Inc., 22nd Floor, Alliance Global Tower, 36th Street corner 11th Avenue, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634. E-mail: salesinquiry@megaworldhotels.com. Website: www.megaworldhotels.com.

Resort Review: Club Panoly Resort (Boracay, Malay, Aklan)

Date of Stay: May 28 - June 1, 1996

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: **********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: *********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: *******

Club Panoly Resort

The resort entrance

The 4-hectare, Singaporean-owned (CTW Group) and operated Club Panoly Resort, the first triple AAA resort in Boracay, was opened November 1989. A year later, the resort was the site of the 1991 RPN-9 mini-series Boracay which starred Dina Bonnevie, Fe Delos Reyes (singer/comedienne), Joel Torre, Rollie Quizon and Noel Trinidad (the fictional resort owner). 

Sprawled throughout this luxurious resort are 8 native-style octagonal clusters with 5 cottages, all fully air conditioned, with hot and cold shower, cable TV, minibar, complimentary coffee and tea and 24-hour IDD telephone facilities, all standard features in all rooms. The custom-designed furniture were made with indigenous creativity and materials. 

Cafe Punta Bunga

Aside from Cafe Punta Punta, the resort also has a restaurant, a bar (El Capitan) and a beach bar. There's also has a swimming pool (with poolside bar), a plexi-paved tennis court, two jacuzzis, spa, sauna, multi-purpose conference room, billiards, children's playground, souvenir shop, seaport and offers waterskiing, windsurfing, jetskiing, diving, paddle boating and speed boats.

Trying out the jacuzzi

 NOTE:

In 2012, Zest-O founder/owner  Ambassador Alfredo Yao bought the former Club Panoly and operated it as Sol Marina Resort. He increased its capacity to 333 rooms, including family rooms, and added a kids club, games area, Italian, Japanese, and Korean restaurants, and beach club, among others.  In December 2015,  it was rebranded as part of the Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts group.