Bai Estelita Tumandan Bantilan (born Labnai Tumndan; October 17, 1940) is a Filipino textile weaver from the municipality of Malapatan, Sarangani.
She is credited with creating "some of the biggest, most subtly beautiful mats to be seen anywhere in Southeast Asia.
[1] Bantilan opened a mat weaving center in Malapatan to preserve and promote the tradition of Blaan weaving.
[2] Bantilan's famous Igem Silel - Blaan Schools of Living Traditions sleeping and placemat weaving is made of sago palm, buri palm or Romblon (Pandanus utilis) leaves colorized with natural dyes Gmelina arborea (Kumil) or turmeric ‘lageh’ Sanbangkil roots for yellow, knalum bark for black and annatto seeds for orange.
She works for at least a month to finish Igem Silel, recognized as one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia.