The Nito Basket Culture of the Philippines

posted by Marcroy April 15, 2016

TeamManila is a graphic design studio from the Philippines, the brainchild of Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan. It continues to build an impressive portfolio of works in graphic design and branding. Weaving baskets has always been a traditional craft for the Iraya-Mangyans of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Raw materials like nito grass and thick, dried forest vines are laced in a circular motion that results to an intricate pattern solely distinct to the tribe. TeamManila photographed the nito baskets’s patterns and textures which were converted in black and white and cut in various shapes, comprising the silkscreen cut-outs. These cut-outs were digitally scanned, colored and rendered.

As an effort to raise awareness to the Iraya-Mangyans of Puerto Galera, TeamManila in collaboration with Screen Machine, an interactive and innovative printing technique, translated the Nito baskets of the Iraya-Mangyans into cut-out patterns silkscreened in posters and tote bags during the Ayala Museum’s “Inspire Every Day!” event. This event focused on the concept of kindness—particularly sharing what inspiration can bring to people.