AKLAN, Philippines — In a significant cultural milestone, the ancient craft of handwoven piña, or pineapple textile, hailing from the province of Aklan in the Philippines, has secured its place on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The momentous declaration took place in December 2023 during the 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee in Kasane, Botswana, hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

Aklan's piña weaving joins an esteemed group of cultural treasures as the fifth intangible cultural heritage (ICH) element from the Philippines to receive this prestigious recognition. The hudhud chants and the punnuk ritual of the Ifugao, the Darangen epic of the Meranaw, and the buklog ritual of the Subanen were previously inscribed on the Representative List, while the NCCA's School of Living Traditions found their place in Unesco's Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.