Maybank Foundation, the social arm of Maybank Group, and ANTHILL Fabric Gallery celebrated a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Training Center in Argao, Cebu.

This is the first Maybank Women Eco-Weavers (MWEW) training centre in the Philippines and marks the program’s expansion into its fifth ASEAN country, following the success of MWEW initiatives launched in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.

The event, held at Maayo Argao Hotel, was attended by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation; members of the Maybank Foundation Board of Trustees; Mr. Shahril Azuar Jimin, Maybank Group Chief Sustainability Officer; Ms. Izlyn Ramil, CEO of Maybank Foundation and Head of Group Corporate Affairs Maybank; Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, His Excellency Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Director of the Financial Supervision Department VII, Ms. Mary Ann Cube; Department of Tourism Region 7 Director, Ms. Judy dela Cruz Gabato; and the Honourable Mayor of Argao, Sir Allan Sesaldo, and Vice Mayor Atty. Orvi Ortega.

The Argao training center, scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2025, will serve as a flagship hub for weaving training, capacity building, and the promotion of zero-waste weaving practices to preserve cultural knowledge while introducing sustainable innovations.

A symbolic highlight of the ceremony was the handover of a vibrant tapestry woven from zero-waste fabric to Nanay Auring, landowner and head weaver of the Hablonan Ni Lauriana weaving community. Presented by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, the gesture underscored a shared vision for cultural preservation, inclusive growth, and local empowerment.

"This center embodies our purpose and values at their core," said Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani. "It reflects our unwavering commitment to humanising financial services by empowering women, preserving women heritage, and creating economic opportunities where they are most needed. Together with ANTHILL, we are weaving hope into action and driving long-term resilience across the Philippines region."

Izlyn Ramil said, "In this inaugural year in the Philippines, the program aims to train 50 women weavers and support 10 abaca farmers, laying the groundwork for a community-led circular economy rooted in tradition and innovation."