For MAMAFASWAS Weavers First Gen strikes gold at 61st Anvil Awards

First Gen CSR communications specialist Dianne Toledo and assistant manager Janbern Barel with the Gold Anvil for the MAMAFASWAS Weavers program

FIRST Gen Corporation’s livelihood program, the MAMAFASWAS Weavers, has been awarded a Gold Anvil award during the 61st Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines held at Solaire Resort North on Jan. 28, 2026.

The recognition highlights the program’s transformative contribution to inclusive development and strategic public relations, showcasing how communitycentered initiatives can create sustained social impact when grounded in culture, partnership and long-term engagement.

The award recognizes the collective efforts of the MAMAFASWAS Weavers composed of the Mamanwa of Brgy. Maraiging, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, whose artistry, resilience and leadership have been at the core of the program’s success. Rooted in the revival of traditional buri and abaca weaving, the initiative helped rekindle indigenous craft practices that were at risk of being lost, positioning them not only as sustainable livelihood opportunities but also as living expressions of indigenous art, cultural heritage and community-based cultural tourism.

Through First Gen’s sustained engagement with the community, the program evolved into a regenerative enterprise supported by capacity-building interventions, including technical skills training, leadership and organizational development, product enhancement and access to broader markets.

Beyond income and wider market reach, the program has brought positive changes to the community. It helped restore pride in indigenous identity, encouraged weavers to share traditional knowledge and strengthened bonds through collective learning and working together.

The Gold Anvil award affirms the power of authentic, community-rooted storytelling and the importance of placing community partners at the center of development narratives. The recognition also reflects how public relations and strategic communications can support social development by amplifying voices that are often unheard, while building appreciation for indigenous culture and women-led enterprises.

Story By Dianne Toledo