MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRODUCT
Behind every item is a person, and behind every person is a story. Here are some of the artisan communities we work with.
T’Boli Tribe
The T'boli Tribe is an Indigenous People's group living in the hills and around Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Mindanao. This highly creative community has diverse expertise in the arts of T'nalak textile backstrap weaving, malong weaving, unique brass-casting and jewelry making
Mandaluyong Sewing Group of Women
This group of parent leader and home-based sewers used to be Pamana ng Pag-asa cooperative, sewing various items from eco bags to pillows to ice cream bags. The group provides livelihood opportunities for the local community of Barangka Ibaba, Mandaluyong City.
Stardolls
Stardolls Multi-Purpose Cooperative is a cooperative based in St. Joseph, Caloocan that produces stuffed toys made out of upcycled materials. Operations used to be run by a congregation nuns, but over the last few years, the women have taken full control of their business. They make several types of stuffed toys for several clients now.
Heidie’s Crafts
Heidie's Crafts is a sole proprietorship business owned by Ms. Haydee Panhilason, who formerly scavenge the garbage dumpsite of Payatas. Her soul-searching question " Ito na lang ba ang kaya ko?" galvanized Nay Haydee into learning several skills that were free and created products to sell and even shared by teaching others. Nay Haydee is now back to her province of Negros Occidental where she continues to teach crochet and weaving to her neighbors.
Tahanang Walang Hagdanan
Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, founded in 1973 by Belgian missionary Sr. Valerina Baert, ICM and disabled leaders and concerned citizens, is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government, and service-oriented organization based in Cainta, Rizal that provides education, on-the-job training, employment and skills training for persons with disability (PWDs). The Tahanang Walang Hagdanan center is devoid of stairways, which allows the PWDs on wheelchairs to move independently. The organization aims to decrease, if not eliminate the number of PWDs who turned beggars or are being used for entertainment.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center, Inc. (TLC), founded in April 1975, is a non-stock, non-profit private special education center for individuals challenged by autism, down syndrome, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and other developmental conditions. The school provides rehabilitation programs (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology). They also offer vocational skills training in kitchen and workshop activities.
Hardin ng Kalikasan
Hardin ng Kalikasan is a women’s producers’ cooperative that began in 1997 situated in a barangay of Real, Quezon province. All members of this cooperative are all mothers. Hardin ng Kalikasan produces a variety of handmade papers, all individually made and locally sourced with replenishable materials, such as banana trunks, cogon grass, and coconut husks. Other products include handmade paper gift bags, greeting cards, bookmarks, scrapbooks, photo albums, jewelry, and a variety of soaps.
LINGAP
Lingkod ng Pagmamahal ng Saint Michael's College of Laguna Foundation, Inc. also known as LINGAP-SMCL is a non-stock, non-profit foundation. They were founded in 2008 as part of a volunteer initiative held by the students and faculty members of St. Michael’s College of Laguna to help the surrounding underprivileged communities improve their state of living. Now, the mothers of the community work together to weave bags, clutches and pouches out of colourful cloths.