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In the time of Spanish colonial rule, theabaniko had become a mainstay of women’s attire, commonly paired with the Filipiniana dress. It was an expensive object at first, made of materials like lace or pineapple silk and exquisite woods from native trees. Hand-woven, cut, and scrolled, each abanikois then adorned with brass and traditionally finish...

In contrast with theabaniko, the pamaypay is made of the dried fronds of the ubiquitous buri palm, making it more accessible among common folk. Woven and edged to be more sturdy, it is completed with a loop-like handle made of the stalks. Today, the pamaypay is commonly sold by vendors outside churches or other large public areas in the Philippines...

Beyond the abaniko, hand fans have also been used in other ways apart from Spanish tradition. On the southern island of Mindanao, where Islam is more prominent, fans have been donned by women who perform the Singkil, a traditionally royal dance that tells the epic of the Muslim Maranao people. Here, fans are used to signify winds that help a prince...

While the secret language of the abanikohas been long gone, its beautiful craftsmanship continues to be preserved by artisan brands such as Casa Mercedes X Monchet Y Compania, known as the oldest fan maker in the Philippines. For over 65 years, they have prided themselves in creating bespoke abanikos out of the finest local Filipino materials, afte...