Amakan

[1] They are woven into various intricate traditional patterns, often resulting in repeating diagonal, zigzag, or diamond-like shapes.

The term can also be applied to baskets and banig (soft woven mats made from pandan leaves, buri palm straw, abaca, or sedges), which also use the same weaving patterns.

They are lightweight and porous, allowing air circulation to keep buildings cool in the hot tropical climate.

The porosity also balances pressure inside the house during strong winds, minimizing roof damage.

It is not uncommon for amakan to also be used as a design element (usually as cladding or paneling) in modern Filipino architecture to portray a rustic, traditional and tropical aesthetic.