Philippine handicrafts make unique and unusual gifts for home decor. The Philippines is famous for its craftwork. Blessed with a natural artistry and an abundance of a variety of handicraft materials, Filipinos have long been making baskets, pottery, cloths, metalwork, and other products.
Most designs are of pagan and ancient origins.
The tribeswomen of Bontoc, Igorot, Ifugao, and Kalinga weave beautiful cotton fabrics called lepanto , which depict elegant Igorot motifs. The Maguindanao and Maranao tribes make colorful malongs , while the Yakans produce rich woven textiles of vibrant colors and intricate designs. The Mandaya-Mansakas use abaca fiber for their dagamay cloth, a rough fabric with intricate brown, black and white designs, requiring weeks of labor. T'bolis use the tie-dye method for cloths and blankets which they consider as sacred items. The Bagobos add beads and appliques to their fabrics.