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

This is the first Maybank Women Eco-Weavers (MWEM) training center in the Philippines and 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 in Maayo Argao Hotel, was attended by Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, chairman of Maybank Group & Maybank Foundation, Maybank Foundation Board of Trustees, Shahril Azuar Jimin, Maybank Group chief sustainability officer, Izlyn Ramli, 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, Mary Ann Cube; the Department of Tourism’s Region 7 director, Judy dela Cruz Gabato; and The Honorable Mayor of Argao, Sir Allan Sesaldo and Vice Mayor Atty. Orvi Ortega.

The Argao training center is 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 on 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,” Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir Zamzamzairani said. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to humanizing financial services by empowerment 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 Ramli 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.”