For me, WORK equals Travel. Every time I travel, the first thing that comes into my mind (aside from work of course) is what I can bring/buy as a souvenir or pasalubong. Yeah, I love shooting and clicking my cam and freeze moments as I do believe that photographs are the best souvenir from my travels. Aside from the photographs stored in my drive, I do finding and buying products that can be displayed in our house that will make me remember the places I exploredand visited. Instead of the usual printed t-shirts and mugs I prefer buying souvenirs made from indigenous materials or simply handmade products.
During my assignment in South Cebu in 2009 to 2011, every time I go home my wife asked me to bring native bags from Dumaguete City or Lapu-Lapu City of Mactan Island. That costs me 150-250 pesos per native bag made from buri/buli leaves. And that was the time I also get hooked to native products and handicrafts.
Then in 2012 I was transferred here in Northeast Mindanao. As usual before the 4th week of the month -my regular home visit/vacation, I do hunting of native products for pasalubong and collections. Last month while doing the usual members’ visit in Dinagat Province, one local approached me (mistaken that I am from DTI) and offered her handmade product - a bag made from abaka and pandan leaves. And I bought one for 250 pesos. Of course this means happiness for my wife. Cheap and incomparable to Gucci and Louis Vuitton - “priceless” according to her.
This month I was so lucky to visit one of our centers in mountainous Barangay of CAMP EDWARD in Alegria, Surigao del Norte. A significant number of our program members in the said Barangay are from the “Mamanwa Tribe”. We are giving assistance in terms of capital, savings program, insurance and training in this organized group we called "center". While doing the center visit, one of our center members invited me to their village to show their handicraft project. Majority of the residents of this village, including her, are Mamanwas.
I was surprised and at-awe when I saw their products which are mostly made from indigenous materials. Hats, Bags, and Boxes made from abaka and pandan leaves are patiently weaved by Mamanwas' artistic hands. Products are sold from P90-200 pesos only or almost 50% percent OFF compared to price in pasalubong centers. I bought one backpack made from abaka which cost 200 pesos only and a beautiful weaved hat amounting to 90 pesos only. “Bakit po mura eh ang tagal at effort talaga ang paggawa ng bag? (Why are you selling this cheaply considering the time and effort in making this bag?), I've asked Kuya Ronald Baybayon– he is one of the weavers and buying handicraft products of Mamanwa Tribe members then selling it downtown by order. “Nagsisimula pa lang naman kami, para ma promote muna ang aming mga gawa Sir...” (We are just starting and our aim is just to promote our products...), he said. That's it! :)
That was the time I decided to help them in my own little way by doing this post featuring their handicrafts and encourage you guys to support by just spreading and sharing about this.
I strongly believe now that if we are buying and patronizing Pinoy Products specially these handicrafts, we are also keeping the art, tradition, and livelihood of these tribes/people alive and preserve.
I strongly believe now that if we are buying and patronizing Pinoy Products specially these handicrafts, we are also keeping the art, tradition, and livelihood of these tribes/people alive and preserve.
Please spread these beautiful works of art, products of culture and never fading tradition - by sharing this post. Let us connect them to the market and keep their "arts and livelihood alive".
Feel free to contact Mr. Ronald Baybayon or Ms. Flordeliza Morta @ mobile #09496984125 or visit them at Purok 3, Camp Edward, Alegria, Surigao del Norte- if you are interested to buy their beautiful handmade products .
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