Sabutan
In Palanan, Isabela, Sabutan, a coastal Pandan plant, is crafted into beautiful handmade products including bags, hats, fans, mats, and placemats. Each item showcases traditional weaving techniques and vibrant local culture. These crafts are highlighted annually during the Sabutan Festival, underscoring the town’s rich heritage and providing essential income for its local weavers. The unique artistry of Sabutan reflects Palanan’s cultural pride and craftsmanship.
Banga
Isabela has a rich tradition of clay-based products, especially the iconic banga (tapayan), which are large earthenware jars used for water storage, fermentation, and cooking. These unglazed vessels are shaped by hand in towns like Sta. Maria, using locally sourced clay—a craft heritage that dates back over a century.
Inabel
Inabel is a traditional handwoven textile from the Philippines, also produced by local artisans in Quezon, Isabela. Using handloom weaving techniques, they create a variety of products that showcase a modern take on Inabel designs. These often feature intricate patterns and incorporate natural fibers such as banana and pineapple leaves.
Butaka Chair
The Butaka chair is an iconic piece of furniture that symbolizes the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of Isabela. Known for its wide armrests, extended leg rest, and reclined back, the Butaka offers comfort. Originally inspired by Spanish colonial designs, local artisans in Isabela have refined the Butaka over generations, using native hardwoods like narra and acacia. Each chair is handcrafted, showcasing detailed woodwork and a deep understanding of traditional carpentry. In City of Ilagan, a giant Butaka sculpture stands as a tribute to this enduring craft, reflecting the province’s pride in its skilled furniture makers and their contributions to local identity and livelihood.
Gin-C
Gin-C products, a natural juice drink made from a blend of turmeric and calamansi, originate from Jones, Isabela. What started as a gesture of appreciation for frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly gained recognition. Initially, a group of local individuals distributed Calamansi Juice Drinks to frontline workers, which caught the attention of Gov. Rodolfo T. Albano III. Impressed by its success, he promptly ordered over a thousand boxes. As a result, the group was formally established as the Jones Producers Cooperative with support from LGU Jones, LPGMA, and Governor Albano, allowing them to scale up production and maximize their impact.
Mung Bean Products
San Mateo, Isabela, is renowned for its diverse mung bean products, including sprouted munggo used in lumpia and pansit, as well as ingredients for popular snacks like butchi and empanada. The municipality also offers ground munggo, pulvoron, flour, and munggo coffee. New innovations include munggo noodles, fried munggo sprouts, instant sautéed mung bean, instant munggo soup, and crispy mung bean chips. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local cooperatives have advanced the development, packaging, and marketing of these products.
Big Brother Cornick
