Oval shaped plaited bamboo hat with decorative pattern

Philippines has an extended history trading with China, and the oldest Chinatown is in Manila. Spaniards, Americans, and the Japanese had ruled the lands before the Philippines gaining independence in 1946.
The tropical lands of the Philippines are abundant with palms, vines, and grasses, providing food, wearables, habitat, and transport. Well-known textiles from the area include the Pina cloth of pineapple fibres, Abaca from the Banana plant family ( also called Manila Hemp).