Catriona Gray Meets Master Weaver Zalma Ballati In Zamboanga (Photos)

Catriona Gray Visits Yakan Weaving Community in Zamboanga

CATRIONA GRAY – Beauty queen and singer Catriona Gray meets Zalma Balati, the master weaver of Yakan weaving community in Zamboanga.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray went to Zamboanga to promote her advocacy One Town, One Project (OTOP) even amid the coronavirus pandemic. It is the project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The agency named her as OTOP ambassador last July.

The Filipina-Australian beauty queen was warmly welcomed by the Zamboangueño people. Mayor Beng Climaco shared photos taken during the event.

Based on the photos, Catriona Gray went to the place where the native fabrics were woven manually. She wore the famous prints of Mindanao during her visit to the Yakan weaving community in Zamboanga.

The 26-year-old beauty queen also had the opportunity to meet the community’s master weaver, Zalma Ballati. She shared their pictures on her Instagram account.

In the caption of the post, she wrote: “Such an honor to have the opportunity to meet Zalma Ballati, siya ang Master Weaver of Yakan Village, Zamboanga City Bilang isang “Master Weaver”, alam niya ang pitong klaseng disenyo ng Yakan. At gumagawa rin siya ng sarili niyang disenyo. She was taught by her mother, and she in turn is passing down the art of yakan weaving to this generation.”

Catriona-Gray-5 — Photo Source: @catriona_gray IG

Catriona Gray went on to encourage her fans and followers to support the Yakan community by purchasing their handwoven and handmade products. “Nakakatuwa yung feeling, kasi kapag magpurchase ka, alam mo na you’re supporting a community and a craft that is uniquely Filipino.” she wrote.