HaloHalo is closing on January 15. Here’s why the local brand was special

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The lifestyle brand loved for its banig-inspired bags and Filipino craftsmanship is ending its decade-long journey

MANILA, Philippines – After over a decade of celebrating Filipino craftsmanship and design, HaloHalo, the lifestyle brand known for its colorful banig-inspired bags and homegrown ingenuity, announced it’s closing down on Wednesday, January 15.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, principal designer and co-founder Cara Sumabat-Limjap shared the news, marking the end of a journey that began in 2013.

“It’s time to bid farewell to places and things that no longer serve us,” Sumabat-Limjap wrote, expressing deep gratitude to the artisans, collaborators, and loyal supporters who supported the brand for the past decade.

“To all the people who have been a part of it — from its infant stage and to its graduation into the real world-thank you,” she said.

“But it’s time for me… time to pause, see where the road ahead may lead,” she ended her post.

Iconic looks, Filipino craftsmanship

HaloHalo rose to prominence online, with its innovative reinterpretation of the traditional Filipino banig (woven mat), crafting stylish bags that paired traditional charm with contemporary aesthetics. The handmade bags quickly became a staple among fashion lovers of local design, gaining popularity at artisanal fairs like ArteFino and Manila FAME, and building a loyal following both locally and abroad.

In a Vogue PH interview, siblings Cara and Rocco Sumabat said that HaloHalo was born out of a vision to infuse Filipino culture into everyday fashion; they wanted to reintroduce the humble banig into a modern context.

Thanks to Cara’s experience studying fashion marketing at Parsons in New York and working for global fashion houses such as Proenza Schouler and House of Laurel, what started as a collection of handwoven bags made with recycled plastic weaves and genuine leather expanded into a beautiful lifestyle brand.

In 2017, HaloHalo diversified into homeware, introducing placemats, ottomans, and cushions, while its clothing line offered playful everydaywear and even beachwear.

All items were made in the Philippines by a small team of artisans, some of whom had been with the brand since its inception.

HaloHalo’s dedication to sustainability, authenticity, and heritage put them on the radar quickly. It earned the “Product of the Year” award at ArteFino 2017 and represented the Philippines at the renowned Maison et Objet International Trade Fair in Paris.

In 2024, it achieved a major milestone with the opening of its first flagship store at the Power Plant Mall, Makati City in February.

The branch will be closing on Wednesday, January 15, with its website following on January 29. 

Halohalo’s closure has sparked an outpouring of support and appreciation on social media, particularly in the comment section of their announcement, with customers thanking the brand for its contributions to the local design scene and wishing its team well in their next chapter.

“This book is closing, and a new one is ready to be written,” Sumabat-Limjap wrote, hinting at new beginnings on the horizon. – with reports by Rowz Fajardo/Rappler.com

Rowz Fajardo is a Rappler intern studying Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of the Philippines Manila.