On mask filtration - abaca face masks

Perhaps almost everyone is now used to wearing masks. The most common would be the surgical masks that are supposed to be one time (perhaps per day) use only. Then there are the KN94 masks that allow for more protection (filtration-wise) and are more comfortable to wear as it does not smother the face like many of the non medical masks manufactured and sold during the first months of the pandemic (e.g., cloth masks). During the pandemic, we discovered abaca face masks that were manufactured under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). I had not had the chance to open the mask and dissect it to see what it looks like including the layers it claimed to have.

Inside the mask are layers of fiber that made for effective filtration.

A close-up of the fiber layers inside the mask

The abaca mask before I cut it up and disposed of it - the color has faded after so many washings but I thought that it still gave good enough protection. I wore this when I drove or when taking walks in our village.

The masks offered a snug fit to the face without smothering you. These are also washable and so can be reused many times before they are finally disposed. We still have a few of these on stock at home and I still wear then whenever I am driving or doing some outdoor home activities.

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Abaca face masks

When I was acquiring my woven face masks from the Cordilleras, I read about the abaca masks manufactured in Mindanao with assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It was not yet available in commercial quantities so I had to wait to get some for our household. The opportunity came when I was browsing for new reusable, washable face masks. We liked these more than the typical disposable ones because we wanted to reduce waste. So when I found that there were abaca masks available in our area (there's a reseller nearby), I decided to get a few.

The mask in its packaging when it was delivered

Information about the mask and how to properly wear it; including how to adjust the elastic band ear loop.

Care instructions for the mask, which is washable. The care guide says it is good for up to 10 washings.

The abaca fiber material is in the front and to me had a leather feel about it.

 

The inside part of the mask has a fabric lining, which is stitched well to the abaca outer part. I guess this component along with the garters need to be separated from the abaca before its disposal.

 

The mask fits very well. It actually looks like a leather mask. The photos don't do any justice to what the mask looks like up close.

There are two sizes available for this mask - standard and regular. The regular size is also for adults but less than an inch smaller than the standard size. I have also washed our masks following the care instructions. It is now my preferred mask for when I have to go out or to the office. I hope they continue to make these masks and more people start using them. Already, we've seen a lot of disposable masks in the garbage or thrown anywhere. There are certainly implications on waste that we need to address with everyone obliged to wear masks. Then there are also plastic wastes coming from face shields, which are also considered as disposable. These masks also represent livelihood for people making them so we should support these local initiatives using indigenous materials like abaca for such applications as face masks.

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Weaves in the Philippines - Ifugao, Part 2 (Kids Masks)

To pick up where I left off last July, here is the second part of the article on masks made out of local weaves. The following photos show kids-sized masks that I procured through the Ifugao Nation Facebook page.

Kids-size masks from Ifugao Nation

The design is a signature piece with the lizards. This is my daughter's favorite.

Light brown with red and yellow stripes

Dominant red and orange bands

This is likely of the same weave as the previous one but

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Weaves in the Philippines - Ifugao Face Masks, Part 1

I end July with another face mask post. The previous one was on the Itneg weaves that I acquired first showed one group's designs. Here is another set of masks from the Ifugao, another indigenous people from the Cordillera region to the north of Metro Manila. I got these masks via the Cordillera Textiles Research Project or "Corditex", which maintains a Facebook page where they have the links to the various other groups engaged in creating these weaves. This set comes from the Ifugao Nation.

Four face masks of Ifugao weaving patterns

The dominant blue in the pattern reminded me of the design on a table runner we had acquired many years ago in one of the trade fairs held at SM Megamall.

My favorite in this set is this pattern. I use this mask for when I go the office.

Light colored but more complicated weaves, which the wife prefers and uses whenever she goes out.

Another light-colored design

The inner side of the mask features a cotton linen lining

Mask layers - a microfiber layer is inside the mask for more efficient filtration

These washable face masks may not be the best out there but they do offer enough protection as shown above. The bottomline again is for everyone to use these masks whenever possible even indoors or inside vehicles. All the studies show how effective wearing masks is in preventing the spread of corona virus and others as well.

Here are more information about the Ifugao:
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/glimpses-peoples-of-the-philippines/ifugao/

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Weaves in the Philippines - Itneg face masks

The pandemic led to the institution of health protocols formulated to reduce the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus. One called for the wearing of masks whenever outdoors and ideally also when one is indoors. At first, most went into a frenzy purchasing surgical or medical masks, most of which were disposable. As such, there was a brief shortage of masks in the country, what with the pandemic closely following the eruption of Taal volcano and the ash fall that necessitated many in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog to wear masks. 

It turned out that you didn't need surgical masks to keep you safe. Those are for doctors, nurses and other medical staff for their work in hospitals and clinics. Cloth masks would suffice as long as they have the minimum in terms of filtration. 

A good friend referred me to a Facebook page run by a friend of his who is based in Baguio City. The latter is involved in a research project on textiles and weaves in the Philippines, and regularly posts on their work as well as items for sale by various collaborators in the project. The page is where I discovered and learned about the many weaves around the country including those that I am already familiar with like the Yakan, Tausug, Inabel and Hablon weaves that we have at home.

And so I tried to get a few masks first that we could use for our daily walk/jog. The first one to catch my eye were masks made with the Itneg weaves. Here is more information about the Itneg or Tinggian people:

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/glimpses-peoples-of-the-philippines/tinggian/

Woven face masks as they came out of the packaging

This design features spiders.

More intricate weaving pattern of blue with red accents

Lizards

The package came with a bonus pouch

I took another photo of the masks together with a signature woven blanket design from Abra that I got about 5 years ago.

More on these masks again soon!
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