Our Story

Malingkat is a Tausug word that means beautiful; a fitting name for a brand that aims to highlight the beauty of Mindanao, of the Philippines one weave at a time.

The story of MALINGKAT dates back to a childhood surrounded by the textures, flavors, sounds, and stories of Muslim Mindanao - of family and friends passing through with tales of their beloved Lupah Sug, a Tausug baluy (mat) for when guests are around, visits to an aunt's house with her Maranao fabrics and decors, running around an idyllic golf course overlooking Lake Lanao, a fascinating trove of baskets in a native shop across the street in Iligan City, and huge care boxes with bulad (dried fish) from Tawi-Tawi, mantikilya (durian jam), an assortment of fruits and baulo (a baked native rice snack) from Jolo.

Established in late 2017, MALINGKAT is an ode to the founder's paternal Tausug heritage and the beauty of Mindanao as reflected through its rich and diverse cultural practices and properties.

Founder Faw Maridul with Tausug weavers in Maimbung, Sulu

MISSION

We are a social and cultural enterprise driven by our commitment to showcasing and promoting Philippine weaving traditions, indigenous textiles, and handmade craft traditions, with special focus on Mindanao, and sharing the stories of the tribes and communities who made them.

We advocate sustainable livelihood through our partnerships with weavers and artisans from Sulu, Basilan Island and Zamboanga City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in Mindanao; and Marikina City, Abra, Albay, Aurora, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal provinces in Luzon.

We honor the hands and respect the traditions behind each creation as we bring a part of our exquisite weaving heritage from their loom to your home, one malingkat piece at a time.

Malingkat Enterprise was one of 10 social enterprises hailed as the winners of the BPI Sinag 2019 Awards. Malingkat and its founder are also beneficiaries of DTI-initiated programs like the Kapatid Mentor Me and One Town, One Project (OTOP). Maridul was also one of 40 women social entrepreneurs included in the first-ever cohort of "Women Together for a Better Normal" by Ashoka and the S&P Global Foundation.