Abaca: Manila Hemp

The Strongest Natural Fiber

When Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu in 1521, he and his party found the Filipinos dressed in clothes made of a material they had never seen before. The Spanish priest Pigafetta, who chronicled Magellan's voyage, noted that the material was common all over the Philippines. Almost 150 years later, another priest, Francisco Ignacio Alzina, recorded one of the earliest descriptions of the abaca plant, its processing and utilization. All over the islands, the weaving of this fiber was a widespread activity. A good 300 years before the Western world discovered the vital applications of abaca, the Filipinos had already mastered the art of extracting and using it.

Abaca, the strongest natural fiber, is three times stronger than cotton. During the Spanish occupation, abaca was exported not for clothing but for rope. Abaca was the fiber most resistant to the corrosive effects of seawater.

In 1820, during the time of Governor General Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras, a US navy lieutenant byt the name of John White returnes to the US from the Philippines. He brought with him some abaca rope, which was tested for strength and pliability. Tests showed the excellence of the abaca fiber. From then on it became an important item in the growing armada of the US Navy. Up to the 1930s, the US Navy was wholely dependent on abaca for its marine cordage.

Abaca, also known as Manila hemp in international trade, remains a leading export product. It is cited as the perfect substitute for wood pulp and some plastic products. It can have a worldwide impact in the conservation of forests and may contribute to the uplifting of world ecology, as it is sourced from biodegradable natural fibers. Source: The Philippines Science Heritage Center, National Academy of Science nad Technology, Philippines