Officially launched on March 27, the Go Lokal x Manila Canvas souvenir café is found at Chamber 8 in Fort Santiago and will be open daily from 10am to 8pm. It is an ideal location as the walled city of Intramuros draws local and foreign visitors to attractions like Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego, Museo de Intramuros and Fort Santiago. Intramuros was even recently recognized as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2022 at the World and Travel Awards in Asia and Oceania. It previously received this honor in 2020 and 2016.
Manila Canvas is owned and operated by CANDC Plants and Woodcrafts, a leading supplier of plant and woodcraft souvenirs in the Philippines. They started out as a souvenir store before adding a café in December 2022. According to Manila Canvas owners Ros and Vincent Queja, they had initially visited Fort Santiago to look for souvenir shops where they could consign items from their brand, Cactus and Canvas. Instead, they found an opportunity to set up their second home, Manila Canvas. They explained, “In partnership with DTI, we have opened up our home to a dozen other local brands (and counting), through the Go Lokal program, giving these micro, small and medium enterprises the opportunity to showcase their Philippine-made items.”
Aside from Woven, the souvenir café currently carries products from the following MSMEs: Delta’s Food Products, Mama Cili Enterprises, Sangkutsa Food Products, Dielle’s Apiary and Meadery, Inc, Cocolibre Corp., Marigold Commodities Corporation, Ginga Food Manufacturing, The Cattwrites Bag and Accessories, HIPH888 Merchandising, and JLVR Prints.
Woven co-owner Trish Lim shares, “We are proud to do our part in preserving our heritage while also keeping our handicrafts relevant in our modern lifestyle. We are happy to be part of the first wave of homegrown brands tourists can find in Manila Canvas.”
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Woven is a compassionate crafts company that works hand in hand with Filipino artisan communities to design handicrafts for the modern lifestyle. Shop online at www.woven.ph or visit our physical displays at Sinag Sari-Sari on the 2nd floor TriNoma, Quezon City; Common Room PH in Powerplant Mall, Makati; Go Lokal! In the Robinsons Place Ermita Department Store, Manila; and Roots Collective on the 3rd floor of Uptown Mall Bonifacio, Taguig City.
]]>Online shopping is fun, but having to deal with so much waste from packaging isn't. Over time, it all piles up. Because of that, we thought of ways we could minimize this for customers, which is why we're so glad to have found a partner in the eco-conscious company Silent Beads.
Aside from being able to support our partner artisans through the purchase of handcrafted Woven products, you can also take part with us in caring for the environment. How? Tear, plant, and wait! That's all there is to it. The Woven tags that come with our products are actually plantable seed cards that you can plant to grow your own spinach.
Bryan and Monnick Cruz launched Silent Beads in 2009 with a love for fashion jewelry. As they expanded, they became aware of the environmental toll of the industry and the waste produced by excess materials and old pieces. This led them to shift gears and begin using eco-friendly materials. Their products are mainly plantable papers and pencils, wedding invitations, product labels and tags, and gift cards.
Image from Spark Project (@sparkprojecthq)
Silent Beads' biggest hurdle in running the business is raising awareness and educating customers about the advantages of eco-friendly products. Moreover, maintaining a steady supply of high-quality recycled paper and seeds can be tough at times. To tackle these problems, they have concentrated on forging solid relationships with suppliers and investing in marketing and educational efforts to reach their target market.
"Adopt small changes in our daily routines that can have a significant impact." - Bryan Cruz
When asked about their advice for the next generation, they encouraged the youth "to adopt small changes in our daily routines that can have a significant impact." According to the husband and wife team: "This might be as simple as cutting down on plastic use, recycling, and saving energy. Additionally, planting trees, backing local sustainability projects, and selecting eco-friendly products can all contribute to a greener future."
With everyone consuming so much and generating waste, it's important to be mindful of your own purchases and build habits that you can sustain long-term. Be part of communities - both online and offline - that can support you in your journey. Know why you're doing it and how committed you are to the cause.
We asked Bryan and Monnick's practical advice for those who don't know where to start, and they shared a few tips:
Junk Not Handicrafts Chair Made from Upcycled Plastic Waste
Junk Not Handicrafts Box Packaging that can be a DIY Christmas Tree
Don't immediately throw things away instead think of ways on how to repurpose whatever you have.
Choose plant-based or compostable packaging and bags that customers can reuse when they are shopping or doing their errands.
Image from MAD Travel (@madtravel_ph)
Start by joining a community like MAD Travel, they create fun and fulfilling experiences through purposeful travels like including tree planting as part of their tour!
By collaborating and making minor adjustments in our daily habits, we can all play a part in fostering a more sustainable future.
To know more about Silent Beads, you may visit their website at https://silentbeadsph.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram with a social media handle of @silentbeadsph.
]]>What's great is that all of these are Filipino-owned businesses with wonderful stories and advocacies behind them. Check out the list below and read until the end to know where you can purchase these and other similar products!
1. Artisan Chocolate in an Artsy Packaging
Theo and Philo is the Philippines' first single origin bean to bar chocolate maker.
5 Bar Gift Box (Php 720)
Photo from the Theo & Philo website
A homegrown chocolate brand that is made from high quality ingredients such as raw cacao beans. It is sourced from the Malabog farmers in Davao, recognized as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines. They work with GK farming community where they directly buy ingredients and they also offer them funding support to help them further grow their infrastructure for post harvesting cacao.
Aside from its thoughtfully designed packaging, the flavor combinations are also uniquely Filipino ranging from chocolate with Green Mango & Salt, Calamansi, Turon, Labuyo, Adobo and more. In addition to this, their dark chocolates are vegan friendly and most of their chocolate bars are gluten free.
2. Calming Tea with No Artificial Flavoring
Tsaa Laya develops local herbs, fruits and spices from the Philippines islands into modern tea ingredients.
Pouch Bundle Gift Set (Php 590)
Photo from the Tsaa Laya website
It is a social enterprise that provides sustainable livelihood for mothers and women who are relocated typhoon survivors in Calauan, Laguna. They also have the Calauan Tea Village where herb farming and tea processing are integrated. Part of Tsaa Laya's vision is to expand more tea communities across the country!
For the tito and tita who are tea lovers, Tsaa Laya has premium blends of herbal teas in Lemon Ginger, Pandan, and Tanglad flavors and offers eco-friendly refill packs.
3. Marine-Friendly Personal Care Products
MAGWAI develops personal care products that are both effective and sustainable like their Reef-Safe Sunscreen. It is a locally produced reef-safe sunscreen which uses Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide, natural ingredients that are safe for the coral reefs contrary to other sunscreens that mostly contain chemicals that are harmful to corals.
MAGWAI Reef-Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ (Php 599)
MAGWAI Travel Bundle (Php 2,046)
They also sell towels that are made from recycled bottles, as well as conditioner and shampoo bars that help coastal communities recycle their plastic waste. They are a member of 1% for the Planet, so 1% of their proceeds for every MAGWAI sunscreen and shampoo bar bought will be donated to protect the ocean.
4. Responsible Fashion through Filipino Weaves
Habi Footwear and Lifestyle uses a wide variety of Filipino weaves and works with different communities in the Philippines located in, Payatas and Batasan, Quezon City, Kiangan, Ifugao, Isabela, Lamitan, Basilan, Marawi, and Lanao del Sur.
Ina Beaded Handbag (Php 1,199)
This hand-beaded bag is made of wooden beads with a canvas inner lining made in partnership with the Batasan Women's League Consumer Cooperative.
Habi aims to create more sustainable livelihoods for urban weavers and underprivileged communities. Their current partner communities are Batasan Women's League Consumer Cooperative, Kiangan Weaver's Association, and Habi Eco Weavers and Sewers Association, one of Habi's pioneering communities and the home of its upcycled fabric weaving workshop.
5. Classic Crafts for the Modern Lifestyle
And of course, we won't forget our very own! Woven designs hand-in-hand with Filipino artisans that bring value to their work, their lives, and cultural traditions. Our laptop sleeves are crafted by our partner community in Basey, Samar are made from tikog leaves and inlaid with dyed buri strips.
Woven aims to uplift the lives of artisans in the Philippines. As part of our mission, we helped organize women in Basey into community craft associations, maneuvered an increase in the industry price of banigs, and raised individual incomes by more than double.
Aside from sleeves and banig, we also have bags, card holders, passport wallet, bag tags and ID tags, which make for perfect gifts for your officemates and colleagues! Made from genuine leather with handwoven fabric sourced from different communities in the Philippines like Benguet, Kalinga, and Marawi, they come in a variety of colors to fit every mood and personality.
If you're wondering where to get all these items, you can check out each brand's website and social media page OR you can get all of them in one go from any of the Sinag Sari-Sari Social Enterprise Store branches in Trinoma, Glorietta, and Ayala Museum.
The Sinag Sari-Sari Social Enterprise Store aims to further develop social enterprises and provide livelihood for the local community. It's a joint project organized by Alagang AyalaLand, Bayan Academy, and BPI Foundation in response to the pandemic.
And remember, the items in this list are just some of the products that you'll find at Sinag Sari-Sari. There are plenty other community-based enterprises that offer beautiful local products. Another cool thing is that the display shelves have their own unique story. Designed and produced by JunkNot Eco Creatives, they are made from Tetrapak cartons and reclaimed wood. You can also take a picture with Kara the Carabao!
If you're interested to know more about the social enterprises there, check Sinag Sari-Sari's Facebook or Instagram page.
Happy shopping!
]]>When we launched the Woven Together Banig Design Contest last year, we didn't know what to expect from our online community. The goal was simply to connect traditional Filipino artisans with artists around the world. So we were so happy to see the entries made by different creatives who were passionate about uplifting Filipino crafts. In the end, we only had to choose three (it was a tough call, believe us!) and these belonged to Audrelene Paez (Grand Prize), Jemima Almirañez (1st Runner-Up), and Jamie Naval (2nd Runner-Up).
Since it's Women's Month and all the winners are Filipinas we admire, we thought it would be a good idea to shine the spotlight on them and their works of heart so you can get to know them too.
We went bananas over this laptop sleeve! We've tried fruits on banig before but the 3D rendering and the layout by fashion designer-turned-founder Jamie Naval really stood out. We also felt that it would inspire the weavers to think of what other everyday stuff they can reproduce on their mats. True enough, the artisan who made the sleeve was delighted by the pattern.
Want to know what's her inspiration behind it?
"Just like the Banana, it is the heart that makes us the same…. woven together. Its color reflects optimism and positivity. Wherever you go, you’ll find a Banana that will remind you of home. I chose the Banana as it reminded me of all the times that I was homesick when I was studying. I will just buy a banana from the convenience store to remind me of home."
As the founder of a sustainable and handmade toy-brand for kids (check out @thetentwentykids!), Jamie wants to contribute in securing a healthier and greener earth for future generations. Through crafting eco-toys, the Chief Toy-Maker hopes to promote sustainable mindsets to children and provide a stable source of livelihood to underprivileged women in the community.
In her line of work, Jamie faces challenges like dealing with a lot of textile scraps. But she was able to overcome this by working with artisans who are open to reclaiming fabric scraps.
When asked for some tips and words of encouragement for other (aspiring) Filipino artists, she said: "Use what you have and use it to uplift others. You can start where you are. Stop waiting for things to get better. As Marie Forleo said, ‘the world needs that special gift that only you have.’”
When Jemima Almirañez was in 1st year college, her jury in Design 1 told her about putting her design on a specific surface like banig to signify its locality and craft. Years later, she found herself following through on that suggestion after a lot of trial and error. "My entry was inspired by the quote 'progress is not linear' — but it is something to be proud of, because at the end of the day, you still made it," she said.
Many of our designs are inspired by nature. We thought this design takes that even further, by making good use of empty space and the texture of the banig to give us a portrait that looks as much a mountain range as it could be waves in the sea.
As a designer, Jemima has always been fascinated by beautiful sceneries and how people behave and respond to their surroundings. So she looked for a program that tackles both space and user. This led her to Interior Design. For Jemima, it was like a butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling every time she was able to help people with spatial issues. This inspired her to continuously create unique solutions through design, drawing up technical plans to elevate the idea and concept.
When asked about what advocacy she communicates through her arts, she told us that she has always been curious and enthusiastic with the indigenous groups of our country. Recently, she was able to work with the Ayta indigenous group for her thesis. It became her way to advocate for the inclusion of the IPs when it comes to decision-making in their own spaces (and how it could be culturally relevant for them).
"Up until now, the field of arts and design is still downplayed even though most of what people see, listen to, and use is connected to it," she said.
As an art student, she struggled with wanting to be unique amidst the fast-paced evolution of trends; there were times when she felt like she was only copying what she found visually pleasing. It somehow made her dishonor her progress as a growing individual. Fortunately, she overcame them by allowing ideas to flow through and work it out along the way. Through this, the idea of just copying is set aside and her identity as a designer and/or creator is prioritized.
"Up until now, the field of arts and design is still downplayed even though most of what people see, listen to, and use is connected to it," she said. She realized that people would never fully understand why this work is vital to society unless they are inconvenienced by unprecedented events that require help from professionals in the said field. Her message for aspiring artists and designers? "Our craft has since then been used as a tool to communicate and express. Until it is equally valued in all terms, do not stop in creating, the field needs you."
To anyone who misses the joyful frenzy of the fiesta, this design is for you. With COVID-19 pandemic changing the way people celebrate festivals and other occasions, Audrelene Paez’s eye-popping design reminded us of the fun we had dancing and celebrating with people. An instant fave among all the judges, it won the Grand Prize in the #WovenTogetherPH Banig Design Contest 2021. We love the concept that inspired the design and it translated beautifully into a kaleidoscopic pattern that looks great on a laptop sleeve.
"Think of lively parades, delicious food, upbeat music, celebrations, feasts, and much more! All of these contribute to one of the cultures here in the Philippines— the Fiesta."
Fiesta is her inspiration for this entry as it is also one of the most awaited events of every Filipino. Despite the pandemic and the tough situation we are currently in, some families continue this tradition and celebrate inside their homes. It is true that Filipinos seem to be inherently optimistic and tend to find alternative ways on how to cope.
Audrelene is a graphic designer and she has been in this field for four years. Her penchant for arts and design carried well into adulthood. She knew back then that this is what she would enjoy doing because no two days are the same.
She's a curious creative and she sees beyond the surface of things, comfortable in looking at minute details and stepping back to appreciate the big picture.
As an advocate of Philippine culture, she believes Filipinas can also express confidence and positivity through design. We are all shaped by our experiences – the tradition, the movies we see, books we read, conversations we have, and music we listen to. "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish," she said.
She also shared that she's an introvert. So as an artist, the challenges she faces are getting herself out there and keeping with her craft. There are times when she just doesn't feel like sharing her work with anyone. Although she tries not to indulge in social media, she uses the platform to conquer these challenges and listen to her inner voice to get through the process.
When asked what tips or encouragement she can give to aspiring artists, she said that the perfect moment will never arrive and the best time to start something is now. “Therefore, begin.”
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For your fuss‑free and practical acquaintances, the Bulsa cardholder is a thoughtful gift 😆 For people closer to you, we'd be happy to deboss their initials or name on the leather to make it more personal.
Your friend who gets their daily dose of Vitamin Sea would love the lightweight Lambing throw blankets 🏝 We'll be restocking it soon!
Give them something they can match with their cup of coffee — a handwoven placemat and multi‑purpose Larawan Banig Frame might just perk them up ☕️🖼
Surprise them with a banig mat for their home or a Natural Brown Liham Mini smartphone case if they're always on the go ⚪️🟤
A plantito or plantita friend will surely love the Dahon‑Dahon mats which can be used as a decorative pieces for their plant babies 🪴 We also have that pattern as an Abre laptop sleeve 🌿
We know the feeling! 🏡 Whether they are in a virtual meeting or just doing Tiktok dance videos, these handwoven pieces from our MarketSpace artisans will make for beautiful backdrops 🧑🏻💻👩🏻💻
Let your friends know how special they are to you by giving them something handmade. You may also customize your own Woven holiday bundle and get 15% off your total purchase for a minimum spend of Php 2,800 until November 30, 2021. Here's the link: Woven Holiday Gift Bundle
Like you and everyone in the world, we are going through challenges and struggles. But in the midst of this pandemic, we have continued to imagine and create together with talented Filipino artisans. They are our partners in growth and the inspiration behind our social enterprise.
We’re sure you have many ideas in your head and you would like to see them come to life. And that’s what we’re here for! In fact, that is what #WovenTogether is all about - connecting Filipino artisans with artists around the world to produce new and uplifting creations.
Because we’ve come to discover that, like the dried blades of grass used for a banig mat, ideas grow stronger when they are woven together.
We hope you can craft with us!
Poster created by Meg Sialana
*EDIT: GOOD NEWS! The deadline has been extended to October 25, 2021. Winners will be announced on October 31, 2021*
Grand prize | Php 15,000 |
1st Runner-Up | Php 7,500 |
2nd Runner-Up | Php 5,000 |
All winners will have their designs made into banig laptop sleeves for their own personal use. The top design will be part of our roster of Woven products.
If you want to see sample patterns that we have designed together with our Filipino artisans, visit our Abre Collection at https://woven.ph/collections/the-abre-collection.
Let your work of art bring you closer to your roots. Breathe new life to Filipino handicrafts and unleash your creativity in designing your own banig. We can't wait to see what you come up with, and we look forward to new and uplifting creations!
If you have questions, feel free to email us at hello@woven.ph.
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Today, I drove away from our office in Marikina, my top damp with sweat and rain as I carried boxes of Woven products up tables and shelves. I had also packed and transferred the most precious cargo - embroidered family mats and a giant customized mat - to the back of my car. I’ve learned the hard way that typhoons are not to be taken lightly, even those that are not categorized super typhoons. During Ulysses, we were caught by surprise when the streets of Marikina were flooded - ours included - and submerged boxes of laptop sleeves and banig mats in dirty water.
For us at Woven, both the Manila team and our partner artisans, the climate crisis is firmly embedded in our story. We started after Super typhoon Yolanda and we have since dealt with a few major typhoons that have either flooded the homes of our partners or our office here in Manila. It is a constant threat and risk that we have to be prepared for. And while we here in the city have the option to move, many aren’t so privileged as to act on that option.
So why do I choose to tell this on #WovenWednesdays? As I drove in the rain berating myself about how I should have placed our products in plastic before putting them in containers, I recalled the interviews we did with people in Samar after Yolanda. About how the sound of rain afterwards made them flinch and pray to the heavens. How a man climbed up a coconut tree and stayed there for three days out of fear. About the clean-up that came after and how they found bodies among the debris.
This is not to drive you into despair. Because what came after were the stories of hope - moments of generosity, kindness, and bayanihan. Stories of friends giving more than they can give, strangers messaging with their support and care, weavers extending their gratitude.
But when the rains pour and alerts of the water levels rising come, I can’t help but feel anxiety for what will come next. And it is a fear felt in greater magnitude by those living in more vulnerable areas. To anyone who still doesn’t believe in the climate crisis, I urge you to think more deeply and open your eyes to the natural disasters experienced by people all over the world.
Just yesterday, we awoke to posts and messages from Samar about strong rains that came without warning in the night. Signal number 3 was raised. They were evacuated as the storm battered on, causing some of their houses to flood.
“Kamusta?” is the first thing we ask. A mother posted photos of the knee-deep murky waters in her home. One of the embroiderers shared a status on Facebook: “Lord, tama na.” Our head sewer assured us that they have gone back home from the evacuation center and they are OK, but there was no electricity. “Mabuti na lang naipadala ko yung mga product nang maaga.” (It’s a good thing I was able to send the products.)
I agree with her, but the continuous rains make me doubt the safety of our office.
“Ingat kayo diyan,” her messages continue. “May kasunod na naman kasi na bagyo, mas malakas pag hindi nagbago ang track baka Luzon naman dadaan..” (Take care. There is news of another typhoon that is said to be stronger and will pass Luzon.)
Driving home in the outpour, having placed all our things on higher ground, I say a silent prayer wishing for silence, for the typhoon to spare us.
]]>My jump into the world of social entrepreneurship didn't involve a great realization or turning point. I knew about it from classes in school, from exposure to business like Human Nature, and from friends that had decided to go on that route. Instead, it was more like a slow burn, and a nagging thought at the back of my mind, an opportunity that finally told me that this is just something that I had to do.
Trish and John had approached me about the marketing challenges of Woven early on. At that time, I was working full time with Trish in a digital agency, a field very different from social entrepreneurship. But what I learned in advertising was also what showed me the potential of what Woven could do. John told me about the different materials and the products that the weavers could create. But what actually caught my eye was the laptop sleeve he was using. It was the first time I had ever seen the banig used in that way and I told him so. While we could certainly go the same route as many other brands that took existing products and marketed them, the bigger opportunity lay in creating new products that could change the way Filpinos saw banig. Back then, I didn't know exactly how I could help Woven - but I just knew I wanted to help.
By the time I got back to Trish, I had already decided to essentially put my money where my mouth is -- I invested into Woven because I believed in it. The beauty of Woven is that you can see and touch the product. From a seed of an idea, you can actually watch it take hold and grow into an actual piece you can use. More than that, it was the impact on the weavers that was inspiring - to see them enjoy the craft, become open to trying new things, and to hear them talk about how proud they were to be able to create from banig is priceless.
So when I was asked during that summit to tell them my story, I told them the truth - that each person's path to social entrepreneurship is different. Mine started with an encounter I just couldn't shake off. Since then, there are many days when we don't know exactly how to do things, but we are very clear about why we're doing them. When asked what advice I would give to them, I told them the same things I told myself: It's scary but try it anyway. Do it for your future self - you know she'd be disappointed if you sat by and didn't even try. After all, the worst that could happen is that you could screw up fail. And even then, failure isn't fatal and figuring things out can actually be a lot of fun.
]]>Writing from her workspace at home, co-founder and CEO Trish Lim gives a glimpse of what life was like on the go and what productivity looks like now. She gives useful advice on how to navigate your way through your own #WFH journey and find purpose in your day-to-day tasks.
]]>I do not have a pretty workspace.
My table is against a wide window that lets in the light, but it is neither neat nor organized. It’s not Instagram-worthy. I have a pile of books and notebooks stacked haphazardly on one side, an assortment of wires, USBs, and defunct charges strewn on top of old yellow post-its, paper clips and business cards. My GoPro, which once saw more active days, sits atop a box marked with my name – a giveaway from an event I had attended some time ago. A second-hand bright-colored Lomography camera lies lens up on a desk organizer that organizes an assortment of clutter, gift items that I never had the heart to throw away.
It is a mess. But it’s where I get my work done – for now.
Before the time of enforced home quarantine and social distancing, I was never one to stay still for long. I had worked as a freelance creative before managing Woven and I had spent most of my time traveling around the Philippines. I had called many places my workspace: the back of taxis, bamboo longhouses, homestay common rooms, beach chairs, wooden tables overseeing mountain vistas, and even the barracks of a military camp. At Woven, I had to travel frequently as well and train myself to type up reports in airports or the workshops of our partner artisans (where there would be the mixed sounds of sewing machines, idle chatter, motorcycle engines, and occasionally, loud karaoke music).
Even when not traveling, I was always carrying a bulky set of “work essentials” everywhere. People remarked, “Ang dami mong dala.” And it’s because I tended to bring with me the things I felt I should constantly be doing – writing, sketching, reading, photographing, even painting. I anticipated the lull in productivity that was wont to happen, and I tried to be ready to fill that awful void of un-productivity.
On the field, I’ve learned to be more lightweight. My camera bag contained a slim notebook, a pen, chargers, my phone. If I’m hunkering down somewhere, I carried my laptop in a backpack. Life in transit taught me to whittle it down, to settle into the spaces between the somethings with only a few items. I took me a long time - a series of adventures and misadventures - to discover what was truly essential.
Learning to work from anywhere has helped me navigate through the hardest endeavor of all: working from home. I’ve collected some learnings that may come in handy for anyone struggling to get their tasks done in these difficult times. I hope that they are useful to you and feel free to share your own tips in the comments section below!
I’ve kept a planner ever since I was in high school; the act of writing to-dos and crossing them off as soon as I get them done is just oh-so-satisfying. In the last years, I’ve been using a bullet journal to organize my daily tasks. On busy days, though, I struggle with the jumble of activities and thoughts in my head that even listing them down becomes cumbersome.
To cope, at the start of the week, I determine the really big and important stuff that needs to be done. I tend to follow a theme; for example, if I want to focus on product development, I’ll build my tasks around that so I don’t get distracted to pursue something else (which happens a lot). It’s a good way for me to focus on what matters and what will result in the most impact for Woven. I ask myself, “What’s the one thing I need to do that will yield the best outcomes for the enterprise?”
Since I also need to oversee other parts of the business, I categorize my lists into easy, medium, and difficult tasks based on the amount of effort or time needed to complete them. I try to get through the easy ones as quick as I can (replying to emails, checking reports, sending out deliveries, etc.) so I can pour more energy and attention into the harder tasks.
On some days (like Thursdays), I have no time to write everything down. So, I make a mental checklist and jot them down after I’ve accomplished the task just so I can cross them out. It’s petty, but it really gives me a good feeling to strike it off!
I don’t know what else to call it, but it’s something that gets you in the mindset or mood to work. It can be a piece of music, a quote or inspirational talk, a vision board, or a certain action. For me, it’s the song “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin. I used to listen to it a lot when I needed to zone out and finish a piece for a deadline. It’s long enough to give me the time I need to gain momentum so that whatever song that follows will carry me through the rest of my work.
Whenever I have a tough time concentrating, I play the song and it instantly brings me to that same headspace. It’s like a switch turning on in my brain that signals that it’s time to work. Other prompts that have done the job for me involve opening a blank document and immediately saving it in the title I intend for it. If I don’t save it, I just end up staring at a white space for a long time. Properly labeling it somehow pressures my brain to start filling it up.
The time of day also has an effect on performance. I’ve learned to adjust my work schedule based on how I feel and think at certain time slots. For example, I’m most creative and inspired in the morning. When I need to write or design something new, I try to wake up extra early to do brainstorming and churn out initial drafts. My energy dips at around 11am to 2pm so I do my easy tasks then. But at 4PM, I experience another surge in productivity and this is when I do any reviewing and editing.
Know what distracts you from crucial work. Is it social media? YouTube videos? Your super comfy bed? For others, it’s the work emails and the calls from colleagues asking for multiple meetings. We know it’s all part of the job, but when you have a deadline, they affect the quality of your work. Make sure to block off some alone time: turn off your notifications, place your phone inside your drawer, or flip off the WiFi.
For the past months, I’ve noticed that many of these small distractions cumulate on a Thursday. Maybe that’s just me, but I dread Thursdays because suddenly I get a barrage of emails and text messages following up on one thing or another. After a string of Terror Thursdays, I’ve come to accept it for what it is and just go on the offensive. I now schedule important meetings on anything but a Thursday and try to accomplish most of my tasks by Wednesday.
Then of course, there are days when you just can’t. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up for it! Step outside, drink a cup of coffee, or take a nap. During these moments, I set up a space where I can relax and do something unrelated to work. It could even lead to fresh ideas and a revitalized mindset. If need be, have a person who will give you the pep talk or reality check you need.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the physical space but about knowing yourself better and defining the purpose behind your work. For me, working from anywhere was a privilege – I got to travel and pursue different passions that later fueled my work at Woven. But it was a privilege that I knew I had to work hard for. I cannot deny that I aspire for a Pinterest-inspired workspace. But sometimes, obsessing about such details distracts and detracts me from my real purpose, which is to write, create products, converse meaningfully with people, and even do some accounting.
It used to be that I could pack a bag, stuff in my work essentials, and head out the door whenever things got to be too much. Nowadays when I’m stuck, I have to face the discomforts of not doing anything in the comforts of my own home.
To be honest, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all method to get your work in order. We all have our quirks and distractions, different lifestyles, complications, and commitments. The only assurance I can give is that I’m there with you; I’m also still figuring things out as I go along. I constantly struggle and fail at being my most productive and creative self. Something I dearly miss about the pre-pandemic era was the freedom to go to coffee shops because whenever I hit a dead-end, I knew I could always go to a nearby café for a more conducive work environment (and the promise of extra strong caffeine). There, I could be amongst other people – students, teachers, employees and fellow freelancers – who were grappling with their own deadlines and pressures from work.
These days, to stay present, to commit yourself wholly to the work and just get sh*t done feels like a whipping, a self-flagellation in a time when things seem to be falling apart. It used to be that I could pack a bag, stuff in my work essentials, and head out the door whenever things got to be too much. Nowadays when I’m stuck, I have to face the discomforts of not doing anything in the comforts of my own home. And that’s demotivating on so many levels.
But I count myself lucky because here I am, able-bodied and way too chatty, sharing my anxieties and hopefully some useful advice for your own #WFH journey. Not many have the luxury to do so. And sometimes it’s that thought that does the trick for me; it snaps me right out of my stupor. After more than six months in quarantine, I’ve learned to accept what I can’t change and appreciate what I do have – a messy desk that needs organizing, reminding me that I have more than I could possibly ask for.
]]>My 78-year-old father asked, holding up his smartphone. This was quite a feat – my dad was super clumsy with technology, but he was adamant about creating his own profile. I shook my head and chuckled as I watched my fiancé teach him how to set up his account and follow other users. Satisfied, he went to the Woven page and hit follow. According to him, it’s so he wouldn’t have to keep bugging me for updated pictures of our products and communities.
My dad, Joseph Francia, has always been Woven’s biggest influencer. During meetings with colleagues and get-togethers with friends, he took every opportunity to preach about our brand. He would bring out his phone and show off the latest product snapshots that he took. Then he would talk about our mission of empowering the artisans of Basey through crafts and social entrepreneurship. Whenever I joined him in such meetings, it got to the point were I became embarrassed – exasperated even – with how hard he promoted Woven.
He was a regular fixture in our bazaars and trade fairs. He’d make it a point to go to each one, even though sometimes he’d just end up dozing off on a chair inside the booth. But the Woven team always appreciated his presence, especially since he would chat up other bazaar goers and convince them to buy our products. Oftentimes, he would purchase a few items himself to give as gifts. There was even one event where his purchases accounted for a third of our total sales!
His support for Woven goes way back to before the company was started. In 2015, he flew all the way to Samar where I was working as a volunteer community organizer. Together, we went around the different barangays and he would interview some of the nanays as I went about my daily schedule. Perhaps the visit reminded him of his time as a Jesuit priest stationed in Zamboanga Sibugay in the 1970s. His fellow priests told me that later on, he realized he wanted to pursue a different path, which led him out of the Jesuit order and into a different kind of fatherhood. But wherever he went, he always carried with him his faith and advocacies.
In one of our regular Sunday lunches, he talked about Woven’s mission and his own belief in creating job opportunities in rural areas (read his opinion piece published by the Inquirer here). I guess in some way he saw that I was continuing his work which had begun even before I was born.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to have such supportive parents (my mom did a lot for Woven too, but of course, this article is for father’s day!). Running a social enterprise was always going to be a crazy proposition, but my mom and dad were present at every milestone. They had their doubts about sustainability and cash flows, but they still supported us every step of the way.
But more than the time spent in bazaars, the effort of promoting our stuff to friends, or even the Toyota Wigo which he would lend us to transport our goods, my dad’s greatest contribution to Woven was his kindness and generosity. He had played various roles in his lifetime: he was a teacher, priest, economist, and activist all rolled into one. And for him, every single person was worth his time, effort, and money because he saw good in everyone. I think this optimism and general trust in human beings allowed him to radiate positivity, bringing a sense of mission and purpose to everything he did.
It was this same belief that drove me to volunteer in Samar in the first place, and which pushed me to continue Woven as a livelihood initiative for the weavers, even after my assignment there had ended. Less than a year after my dad’s death and during these difficult times, I hope that his spirit of generosity can live on through the work we do and the hope it inspires in people.
John Francia is the Co-founder of Woven and the Executive Director of the Social Economy and Action Research (SEARCH) Foundation. In 2014, he traveled to the town of Basey and spent a year there as a Jesuit Volunteer. He helped organize the weaving communities in the area, helping them form associations so they could earn more and benefit from their craft.
Illustrations by Trish Lim
Credits to Anton Lim for the cover photo
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The children are shy, but when the trainer hands them the paper and art materials, they settle into the task of creative work easily. They disperse and roam the grounds of the Sohoton Visitor’s center, stopping at a bush dotted with flowers, at the foot of a palm tree or beside tropical leaves sprouting from the ground. They sit on the grass or on the doorstep of one of the eco-lodges, hunched over their piece of paper, pencils scribbling away.
“Creativity is not just limited to drawing or painting,” said Alessa Lanot, the trainer for the day, during her introduction to the workshop. As an entrepreneur, artist, and teacher herself, she was firm on her belief that anyone can be creative. “It is a kind of thinking that can be applied to problem solving. It’s about looking at things differently and learning to ask the questions that matter. You don’t just create for the sake of creating.”
Among the participants are familiar faces: Marwin, Vanessa, Lyka, Jovie, and others. These are the kids of weavers with whom we regularly work. They were also participants in the mat weaving workshops two years ago. There are a few fresh faces in the crowd, students from the local school who joined Woven’s youth-based organization dubbed Kabataan Krafts. The ages vary from 12 to 17 years old.
“It is a kind of thinking that can be applied to problem solving. It’s about looking at things differently and learning to ask the questions that matter. You don’t just create for the sake of creating.”
In the weeks prior to this session, they had undergone other trainings such as the round mat weaving and embroidery, a more advanced form of the craft. They had also begun a series of classes dedicated to computer literacy. Just the other month, they had finished a session on Powerpoint wherein they learned how to create slides and craft content using the many functionalities of the application.
To many of them, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Photoshop are novel things and getting to understand how to navigate the different applications has been exciting. They know that this will greatly help them later on in school and in whatever career they decide to pursue. One of the kids, Renilyn, is a 12-year-old boy currently in grade 6. When asked what he wants to be in the future, he says he wants to be an engineer. Another one, a grade 11 girl named Bianca, wishes to get a job in Information Technology.
“I enjoyed the sessions on Powerpoint and Photoshop,” says Bianca Mae. “There are so many things to explore and I liked learning how to edit.”
Chelsea, a 15-year-old Grade 9 student from the village of Bariwon, dreams of becoming an interior designer someday. For her, the workshops have been fun and eye-opening. It’s allowed her to meet and learn from experts in the creative field, like Alessa and her teaching assistant, Mikko, and put into practice what she has learned.
In fact, this is what they do at the end of their workshop with Alessa and Mikko. After a short lecture on creativity and several exercises that enabled them to find inspiration in nature, the kids were given a familiar object that they saw their mothers handle everyday – a small panel made from tikog. Each one has to create designs on the banig, but instead of buri strips – the traditional material for embroidery – they are given colorful bundles of yarn. It is the same concept: imprinting vibrant colors on banig mats. But it’s a different approach, a new way of doing things.
The kids scramble to get the best colors of yarn and settle into their respective stations. They thread the strings through the mat, up and down, inside and out. Hunched over their work, the patterns coming to life on the faded yellow of the tikog, they get lost in the process of creating.
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For mothers who now spend 24/7 with their families, there's time for everyone and everything in the household - except for themselves. When we asked moms what they really wanted, we got some interesting answers:
So we thought, this Mother's Day, it's time to give our moms their much-deserved me-time! We've designed a fun collection of Mom Me-Time Cards that you can print at home and gift to your mom. The rules? Just do as the cards say so mom can sit back and relax. No excuses!!
Here are some cards from the set:
We've even provided a blank card that she can fill out with any special request not included in the deck.
It's just our fun little way of telling our moms we love and value them. And just in case you're interested in getting her something from our shop but you're not sure which one she'd like, we also have a special gift card that you can purchase for use later on. There's no expiration date so she can use it any time!
As we've shared on our social media pages, it's our local weavers - who are also mostly mothers - who benefit from your support. We'd love to do everything we can to sustain their livelihoods in these challenging times. We've shared some of their stories on our blog. (Read: Crafting a New Future for Banig Weavers)
So that's it. We didn't want the day to go by without honoring the women (and for some families, the men!) who brought us into this world and gave all their love and time to us. Despite everything that's going on in the world, we hope you enjoy this special day with mom.
With the Luzon-wide lockdown and our own personal fears about COVID-19, its easy to forget how deeply the issue is also affecting our fellow Filipinos living in other parts of the country.
In Samar, while there have only been two confirmed cases at the time of this writing, a community quarantine is also being imposed by the provincial government, with strict travel restrictions being enforced. According to our weaving community in Basey, which sources a significant portion of its food and supplies from Tacloban City across the San Juanico Strait, this has made it difficult for them to procure everyday necessities.
All images are from the photo archives of Trish Lim
Meanwhile, in Lamitan City in Basilan, our Yakan partners reported an increase in the cost of everyday goods. One of their leaders told us, “Namomroblema na nga kami, baka paubos na rin mga gastusin namin habang patagal nang patagal ang quarantine.” [We are worried because our money is running out while the quarantine keeps getting longer and longer.]
Our artisans are in a better position to weather the crisis as compared to poor families living in the cities. For one thing, Woven is continuing the production of handicrafts in Samar so as to sustain the livelihood of our communities. Weaving and embroidery is usually done at home anyway. For another, many of the artisans double as farmers, or have family members who work as fishermen.
“Namomroblema na nga kami, baka paubos na rin mga gastusin namin habang patagal nang patagal ang quarantine.” [We are worried because our money is running out while the quarantine keeps getting longer and longer.]
The problem is, most farming in Basey is geared towards cash crops such as rice and coconut. A portion of their annual rice harvest is kept for their family’s consumption, while the rest is sold for cash, which is then used for the purchase of necessities such as meat, vegetables, and other household goods. Very few farmers practice the bahay kubo style of farming – named after the song – where all of their food requirements are grown in the farm.
The technical term for the bahay kubo style is integrated and diversified farming, and this is something that my foundation has been pushing for in other areas. It is a way for farmers to survive and even thrive regardless of their income level or the state of the national economy. And with the economic downturn caused by the much needed quarantine, our rural communities need to practice farming for self-sustenance more than ever.
Given this, Woven is hoping to distribute Bahay Kubo Farming Kits to at least a hundred of our artisans. Each kit will be worth PhP 1,100 and will contain seeds for 10 varieties of root crops and vegetables, a farming manual, and some working capital for fertilizer.
According to our farmer-consultant, one kit should be sufficient for a small 300 square meter garden, with an expected yield of 400 kilograms of crops within 3 to 4 months. That’s more than enough to support a family of five for 3 months or so.
If COVID-19 and the ensuing economic disruption spreads indefinitely, the first harvest should happen soon after immediate relief efforts by the government have finished. At that point, with a fully-established Bahay Kubo garden, our farmers should be able to feed themselves and their families with little need for additional aid. If the crisis is resolved much earlier (hopefully), then at least our communities should have been able to kickstart their journey towards long-term food security.
Of course, our team recognizes that the greatest need right now is in caring for the sick, supporting the country’s front-liners, and containing the spread of the virus. To this end, Woven has embarked on its own small effort to supply PPEs to hospitals and health workers (a work in progress). But at the same time, we cannot forget our artisans and their families, for whom COVID-19 is only the latest in the long history of disasters that they have endured. And with your help, we hope to make this crisis a little bit more bearable for them.
In collaboration with Yakan weavers of Basilan, we've created a line of beautiful handwoven placemats. The Hapag Collection was designed to liven up your dining tables - while helping our partner artisans bring food to theirs.
Net proceeds from every set will go to our Bahay Kubo Program, which will provide seeds, capital, and materials for a backyard garden for each of our artisans in Basey and Basilan.
Eyeing an Abre or Liham sleeve instead? No problem - you can still help. Every other purchase on our website will also contribute to the BK Program. 20% of sales will automatically go towards the provision of kits for our partner crafts communities.
Please email your name and contact information along with proof of transfer to hello@woven.ph. We will reply to confirm your donation.
We will give you regular updates on the amount gathered and on the families that will be receiving it, as well. For exclusive news, subscribe to our newsletter!
John Francia is the Executive Director of the Social Economy and Action Research Foundation (SEARCH), which specializes in planning, implementing, and documenting community-based enterprise initiatives.
When super-typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, he was tasked to visit Samar and create an area development plan for the devastated towns - a project spearheaded by ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya. It was there that he met the famous banig weavers of Basey. Shortly after, he became a Jesuit volunteer and spent a year in the community, helping the weavers earn a living from their craft. When he came back to Manila, he co-founded Woven with Trish Lim to continue the work he had started.
In working with crafts communities, we have been given the chance to learn lots of interesting things from our local artisans. During the last series of Woven on the Move workshops, we noticed that when the weavers were waiting in the lull hours, they were working on bracelets made from buri. Just something to pass the time and experiment on new patterns. They gladly encouraged our team to join them and of course, we were game to learn it.
So, we'd like to share with you this basic weaving tutorial. As we wait in the comfort of our homes, may we continue to be creative and let our minds wander to learning new things!
Since you probably don't have buri strips lying around at home, you can use colored paper or strips cut from magazines/scratch paper. Here is a step by step guide on how to do it:
1. Put one strip over the other, making an 'X' in the middle
2. Wrap one strip (Purple will be Strip 1) over the other one (Blue will be the Strip 2), forming a V.
3. From the right, fold Strip 2 over Strip 1 and then slip it underneath, creating the beginnings of your weave.
4. Pull and press to tighten and flatten the paper
5. Flip it the whole thing so that the loose ends are facing away from you. In effect, you now have four strips to continue the weave (two each from Strips 1 and 2). Let's label them A, B, C, and D from left to right.
1. Get D, the rightmost strip.
2. Transfer to the left side and fold between A and B.
3. Now take A, the leftmost strip, and bring it between B and C.
4. Pull and press to tighten and flatten the paper
1. From here, we again grab the rightmost strip.
2. Twist and fold to lay flat on top of the strip beside it.
4. Fold middle strip to the front like the picture above.
5. Take the leftmost strip, then twist and fold it towards the right.
6. Remember the middle strip you folded down? Flip it right back up.
7. Press to tighten and flatten the paper
8. Repeat the process until your desired length or until the strips of paper run out.
9. Fold ends by inserting them in the spaces
Done!
As a bookmark, journal decoration, can be turned into a bracelet (use clips/clasps - feel free to experiment)
It truly is amazing how we come up with different ways to help ourselves and one another in times of crisis. Learning from our weavers, sometimes slowing down gives us the opportunity to come up with the most creative ideas. It gives us the opportunity to explore what has not been explored before which leads to new discoveries and exercises our ability to bring ideas to life.
A testament to the incredible tenacity of the human spirit and our ability to adapt with creativity - Suleika Jaouad of Life, Interrupted
Hoping this helped spread some positivity while we're all in quarantine. Feel free to share your creations and tag us on our socials (@woven.ph) #WovenFromHome #FlattenTheCurve
The world isn't the same as the one we knew just a few weeks ago. Our priorities have shifted; we must now do what we can to take care of ourselves and our communities.
People are afraid and we're all struggling with decisions and goals that just last week remained sound and certain.
While things may be tough now, history has shown how resilient we humans beings are.
We’ll get through this.
Life will go on.
As such, we will do our best to continue our mission to serve our customers and provide livelihood for our community partners.
We’re keeping our website up and running so you can still browse our available items and place orders. We will also be opening pre-orders in the next weeks.
Just keep in mind that deliveries will be made after the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon has been lifted.
Always remember to wash your hands often and practice social distancing.
On our end, we are being proactive in ensuring the sanitation of our office and the health of our people. We've also disseminated crucial information about COVID-19 to our partner communities.
We are a small local business doing the best we can in these trying times.
As part of our advocacy to empower and uplift Filipino artisans, we have a duty to keep going, because we’re hopeful that things will get better.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, just send us a message. We’ll continue to respond through our social media pages.
Thank you to our customers and crafts partners!
Do continue to root for local businesses because your support means the world.
Hang in there, be patient and remember to be kind to one another.
Ingat!
For more info about COVID-19 and ways you can help, kindly check out these links:
1. Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
2. Donation efforts: http://helpfromhome.ph/
]]>Admit it, you’ve probably said it before: “That meeting could have been an email.” As it turns out, now we have a golden opportunity to prove that not only can many meetings be emails, but that physical presence in the office isn’t required to get good work done.
With COVID-19 containment efforts to #flattenthecurve keeping everyone indoors for the next few weeks, millions of people are trying to work from home. Continuing to work is a great way to stay occupied, but it can be challenging when you aren’t used to it. That’s why we’ve come up with some tips on how you can stay productive, especially during those times when taking a nap or watching Netflix seems very, very tempting.
Working remotely means relying on applications like Slack, Zoom, Google Hangouts or Microsoft Teams. Figure out which one works best for your team then walk them through the features so that you can use them effectively. Dropbox and Google Drive are also great cloud storage services that allow you to collaborate on documents.
How do you deal with choppy video calls? Of course, stable internet access is the main requirement. But you can also try shutting down other programs to ease the load on your connection. If it continues to bog down, you might need to shut off the video and use the audio alone. You won’t be able to see your team but at least you will be able to participate in the discussion.
If you have kids, it would also be a good idea to remind them to avoid using the internet during your call, or try to time your call so it doesn’t coincide with your partner’s or roommate’s video call.
It’s important to create a routine and determine your work hours so that you avoid 24x7 work mentality and are able to protect your free time. Aside from that, play to your strengths! If you are more productive in the morning, then schedule time to do more focus intensive work then and schedule calls after lunch. If you like taking breaks, then schedule a quick workout or creativity session in the afternoon. It can give you that much-needed energy boost to power through your emails.
At the end of the day, turn off your computer or charge your phone in another room. That will help you relax and spend time with your loved ones.
If you can help it, dedicate a workspace away from your bedroom. Not only will it remove the temptation to lie down, it will also help you distinguish between working time and resting time.
By dressing for work, you can also shift your mindset into work mode. Although you don’t need to get into all out office wear, dressing up will make you look professional during video calls. Some people wear a pair of indoor shoes so you feel dressier, without bringing in dirt from your usual office shoes into your home.
Working at home can feel very isolating. You’re no longer a seat away from your teammates, so it's always nice to reach out and ask them how they're doing. Listen first to what they have to say because you never know what they're going through at home or in their community. (Coffice Hunter Tin Advincula also mentioned this in her guest article on the blog.)
For those who miss the company, here's something you can try: keep your videoconference call on so you can see your teammates working without necessarily having to make conversation. It mimics the office setup so that you can work together, while being apart.
It also helps to be extra detailed in emails to avoid misunderstanding. Better yet, make a quick call to make sure you are able to explain effectively.
Information overload is common when everyone is constantly online and every ping from your mobile device feels urgent! Decide ahead what time you will be checking your social media and give yourself 15-20 minutes to avoid falling into the internet black hole.
When you need to host a video call with multiple people, make sure you send an agenda and output requirements ahead to the attendees. Once everyone is on the call, start with kamustahan. Check up on each other and find out how their families are doing. Social distancing shouldn't make us forget that we are all still part of a community that needs to take care of each other.
If you are presenting during the video call, use the share screen function to show visual aids, meeting points, and action points. It also helps attendees focus on specific items while ensuring that there is output from the discussion.
The enormity of the pandemic and the challenges facing our health care system feel overwhelming, especially if you are sitting at home and not able to help directly. But by focusing on your corner of the world and taking care of your family, your fellow employees, and your neighbors, you are able to focus your energies on what you can have direct impact on. It may feel like such a little thing to continue to be kind and compassionate these days. But in this time of great uncertainty, it’s those little things that matter most.
Thankfully, there are people like Alessandra Lanot, who believe otherwise.
Alessa is the creative force behind Life after Breakfast, a design studio and maker of handmade art tools. She earns a living by holding workshops and licensing her designs and watercolor artworks. It was because of her talents and passion for teaching that we invited her to Basey last year. She showed the weavers and kids of our partner weaving communities how to draw inspiration from their surroundings so they can come up with new ideas for their craft.
The designer is also one of eight partners at Make Space Today, a creative co-making space with an all-female team. They provide mentorship programs for artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs.
As one of the women we look up to, we wanted to pick her brain on what it means to be a #WomanInProgress. We caught up with the entrepreneur to talk about productivity, progress, practicality, and the everyday things that push her to keep going.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
My mornings are mostly what I like to keep consistent. Kaya Life After Breakfast 'yung name ng brand ko 'cause I start my life after breakfast. My mornings are the most sacred for me. I do all my personal stuff in the mornings, including creative work also. I do a lot of crafting, painting in the morning. I guess that also counts as meditation.
I feel those are my most productive hours when it comes to creating work.
And then, I usually head out after lunch to meetings, to the restos. I’m an early sleeper. After the day is done, since I work freelance, I meet up with friends. I co-work with friends who are other creatives, who run other creative businesses also.
On weekends, I teach workshops.
It started as a blog to document the things that I would make at or after breakfast. 'Yun lang 'yung only purpose niya before: documentation of my work.
I made it for myself just to push myself to do something creative everyday - to write about it, to make more things. And then it gained a following. Before kasi, I used to teach art classes for kids. Then when I started Life After Breakfast, I shifted from teaching kids to adults. That’s when the workshop started. People wanted to know how I make the things that I would post. It evolved from there.
I think progress for me – well, the word itself – progress itself is the ultimate goal. To be the best version of yourself. To strive to be the best version of yourself. To give as much as you can to the world. That's the goal: improving.
The goals can always change. The end goals or the targets can always change. Pero as long as it’s always along the path of progress, then you know that you’re in the right track. Especially for creative entrepreneurs, there’s no one to tell you do this, do that. You know you're taking a risk with every step. I guess progress can be your guide. Walang pat on the back 'pag may ginagawa kang tama. Ikaw lang eh, ikaw lang magsasabi kung saan mo dadalhin ‘to.
At hindi lang ikaw 'yung mag-sasabi, kailangan panindigan mo rin.
Seeking Inspiration from Nature: Basey weavers were given time to roam around and sketch the things they found beautiful
For anyone who puts their heart into whatever they’re doing, ang sakit ma-reject. Ang sakit masabihan na, "No, not here" or "No, not this time." But I see these as challenges to be better. I see it as ways on how you can be pushed to be better.
There has to be some sort of acceptance and self-awareness at where you are in your life and how capable you are, how good you are. Kailangan honest ka about yourself about it so you can progress.
It started because I wanted to add more creativity into my life - more than what I do for work. With design, yes, you’re creative. But mostly with design, you work with clients. And there’s a certain limit to the creativity you can do there.
So, creating without any pressures.
I guess that’s what my workshop is for: teaching the techniques so that you know what you like and don’t like. How you can experiment with it to adapt your own style to it. That's the goal of my workshops: to give people a place for play time - giving them a process for play-time, loosening them up before letting them really do things on their own. I guess that’s the door that I open for them.
Practicality. Sometimes, you don’t take that risk of being creative because it consumes time. It consumes money, energy and focus. So you think that by being creative you’re not productive. But I find with my own process that by being creative, I can actually be more productive. A lot of my design work is from all those times when I was just playing. I’m able to monetize them.
Practicality is what hinders creativity. Hindi mo na-rerealize na by being creative just in one day in a week or an hour in a week, it sustains you. So you can go back to the rest of whatever that you’re focusing on. Parang refreshed and refueled ka na ulit to go back to your everyday, to your toxic everyday.
Being able to share my God-given skills and talents, and encouraging people to take creative breaks. Because I feel it’s beneficial - the creative detox - so you can go back to the toxic work.
The effect of having people and inspiring other people. It’s an effect, not really a motivation. My dreams and goals keep me motivated in life.
Being able to stay positive – I’m really all for finding creative solutions to everything. You can use creativity as problem solving. The positive outlook will help that. The creative mind can solve a lot of things in any field. Kahit anong problema, kayang ma-solusyonan if you have a creative mindset.
And of course, telling your own story and being true to yourself. That’s something that is so important. Kasi it’s not enough to just be doing. Kailangan may meaning ‘yung ginagawa mo. It has to reflect who you are also as a person. In everything that you do, what your goals are, what you believe in.
Consistency is also important. Consistency in everyday practice, in the stories that you tell, in the things you say, in your choices. By being consistent, it’s a way for people to see and understand, “Ah, ‘yan talaga siya.”
It’s very empowering. All the women I work with, they’re all great in their own fields. It’s nice to work alongside the people you look up to. You can learn from them. That’s the environment we want to create at Make Space Today: creatives side by side. Breaking barriers, breaking levels when it comes to learning.
Tuloy mo lang ‘yan. Don’t stop writing. Keep writing and painting.
That I maximized my gifts.
Not related to work, but having and keeping friends from childhood. Because for me, people matter. Even if I’m so engrossed with work, I’m so connected to my friends, to my family, to my husband. Work is just work. I can do work anywhere. Pero, it’s my friends who keep me grounded – they’re my every day.
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This Women's Month, we celebrate the women who work tirelessly to craft a better life for themselves and others. Women who are strong, creative, and resilient, who face different challenges everyday but continuously create solutions that inspire and empower.
Woven aims to help these Women in Progress connect to their life’s purpose and live out their values. We support them, stand with them, and work with them as they collectively progress towards their goals in life.
You can follow Life After Breakfast on Instagram: @LifeAfterBreakfastPH. Apart from being in the design scene, Alessa is also in the restaurant business! She set up Pipino, a Filipino vegan restaurant located in Malingap Street, and co-owns Hillside Café and Juice Bar with her husband, PJ Lanot. Check them out on IG: @pipinoveg and @hillsidecafeph.
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Dancing is a form of expression that allows you to say and feel so much. I think everyone has done some impromptu dancing at least once in their life. If you haven't, you should give it a try - it is truly freeing. Life in a fast-paced environment can be quite demanding, so I let the music take me especially in trying times. Dancing allows me to pause - to let go and get lost in the rhythm.
One of the moments that stayed with me was our time in Basey, Samar.
Last December, I had the privilege to celebrate and dance with the nanay weavers of our partner community in Basey. Apparently, they love to celebrate through a traditional dance called kuratsa or curacha.
The Woven team had flown in from Manila to Tacloban in the wee hours of the morning. The sky was gray; time crept slowly. From Tacloban, we rode a van for a one-hour drive to Basey, traveling across the famous San Juanico Bridge. Upon arrival, we lodged in a two-story house owned by an elderly woman with a kind smile. She went upstairs to prepare our rooms. Her movements were unhurried due to her age but, she could still move with such ease. A few minutes in and we were already settled.
At lunch time we walked to this hostel that had quirky décor that revolved around chicken. Apparently, the owner was fond of sabong or cockfighting. The place had a cozy ambience with natural lighting that sparked conversations on food history, food and social hierarchies, and Basey culture.
After lunch, we stopped over at ate Beth’s house which also served as a workshop for Woven products. Our conversations were packed with updates on the lives of the weavers, stories from Typhoon Yolanda and the town’s journey to recovery. We were brought to ate Beth’s third floor where we saw a landscape of the town. The soft afternoon light illuminated tiny square houses made out of galvanized iron sheets that stood by a river surrounded by trees. Down below, we saw people going about their daily lives just walking or riding pediabs.
From ate Beth’s place, we took a pedicab to the elementary school where the party would be held. We met more nanay weavers who had just finished a bookkeeping workshop. Preparations were still ongoing but we already felt excited, seeing the golden decorations and red cloth.
In the nearby church, similar preparations were ongoing. It was the start of simbang gabi or Misa de Gallo so there were people putting up Christmas decorations with a huge Santa Claus board by the entrance and stockings hanging by the pews. We still had ample amount of time before the party so we went back to the hostel and took a nap. I think we took about three naps on that day alone. The atmosphere just made me feel drowsy and I felt like sleeping forever.
Fast forward to the much awaited event - the Woven Christmas party. Everything was prepared by the different Tikog workers associations. It started with kamustahans (catch up), introduction of the Woven team, and short speeches from the representatives of each association. Their messages were filled with gratitude as they expressed how happy they are with the progress they have achieved since 2014. With a hopeful note, they said that they were looking forward to sustaining what they have established and reach greater heights in the years to come.
“Maraming salamat sa pagbigay ng oportunidad at bagong pag-asa," said Riza, the president of the Old San Agustin Tikog Workers Association. "Sana mas maipagpatuloy pa natin sa mga susunod na taon.” (Thank you for giving us opportunities and a new purpose. I hope we continue to grow in the years to come.)
After a variety of delicious food was served, ranging from different delicacies such as sumang latik, grilled milk-fish, crab, and many others. Raffle promos were held; the nanays got to bring home household appliances as prizes, while the kids got free books from the non-profit organization, CANVAS. The talented children also showed off their dance skills. It was such a joy to witness this community have fun and show off their different talents.
And for the finale: dancing. As the folk-like music played, the first ones to get up from their seats paired up and started swaying to dance the curacha. They raised their arms gracefully to the left and right and moved to the beat of the music. Seeing the look of pure joy on their faces, I couldn’t help but join them on the dance floor. It was like dancing a combination of the cha cha and waltz. I tried following their footwork but I just winged it eventually.
Later on, the speakers blasted budots dance mixes, which had a faster and more frenetic beat, and more of the women stood up to dance with abandon.
Some flew solo and showed off their signature moves. Everyone cheered for one another. I took a quick break from the dancing. As I took my seat and observed, I was in awe of what I saw. Women of all ages gathered on the dance floor, celebrating a year’s worth of progress that was built by their community.
I left Basey with a clear mind and heart. I slept, ate, talked, laughed, and danced.
As the matters of everyday life overwhelm us in a fast-paced city, I hope you don’t forget to cherish these everyday moments. Sometimes we tend to forget to do things that fill our soul and make us feel alive.
Twenty years ago, Saob Cave in Basey, Samar, used to be home to hundreds of banig weavers, or paraglara in the local dialect. The weavers – mostly women – would crowd the whole length of the cave’s spacious cleft, and the walls would resonate with the sounds of laughter, loose gossip, and the rustling of dried grass under deft fingers.
Manang Julita, a leader of the local weavers’ association, explained in Tagalog, ‘We weave in the cave because of the cool temperature. It keeps the tikog grass [the raw material for banig] soft and pliable.’ It also makes for a pretty photograph for visitors.
Today, however, tourists would be lucky to see a dozen weavers inside Saob Cave at any one time. In fact, the typical weaver is 50 years old, hunchbacked, and paid only PHP150 or $3.20 per week - in a month, she earns only an average of PHP600 or $12.78. As a result, she doesn’t want her children to follow in her trade.
Woven aims to change all that.
‘It is very difficult work,’ said Mana Clarita, the 60-year old auditor of the weavers’ association. ‘It is painful. And it pays very little. But I’ve been able to send my kids to college because of it.’
Keeping the weavers in mind, it is Woven’s hope to keep the money flowing into these communities, and help artisans earn more from weaving and embroidery. As a social enterprise, we don’t just buy and sell; we design for the community. We don’t just provide employment and market access to weavers; we rig the industry in their favor.
By doing all these, we hope to help the communities weave a new pattern for their craft – with better market access comes more income for craftsmen and women, and with more income comes greater incentives for the young generation to take up the art of their parents.
We began with banig handicrafts in Samar, and now, we're set to explore other weaving communities in the Philippines. Our grand vision is to be a creator of modern, high-quality and highly marketable handicrafts using primarily traditional Filipino materials and techniques.
As we pursue this, we hope to uplift the lives of artisans in the Philippines through the production and sales of handicrafts, ultimately sustaining these traditions as culturally and economically relevant livelihoods.
In a community where the average age of a weaver is between 50 and 60 years old, Riza stands out not just as a young craftswoman but also as the youngest president of a weavers’ association. When she was entrusted with the task of leading the group in the village of Bariwon, she was hesitant to step into the role. “I felt nervous; I kept thinking I was not ready to take on such a big responsibility. I didn’t know the first thing about managing people,” said Riza in Tagalog. “But I remained steadfast, believing in myself and my abilities.”
Today, she manages the Old San Agustin Tikog Workers Association, which was established in 2014 and has thirty-two members, most of whom are her elders. Getting their respect and cooperation was a challenge in the beginning – most saw and treated her as a granddaughter or niece, someone to teach and mentor rather than the other way around. Though she was afraid, Riza rose to the challenge, believing her youth to be an advantage in a trade that needed revitalizing.
Riza’s hope for the craft was sparked anew by the support that poured in following super typhoon Yolanda. Many organizations began buying banig mats and products again - one of them was Woven. The social enterprise’s involvement, however, went beyond buying and selling. “Our lives changed significantly because of Woven,” the young mother said. “First is that they organized us into a group so that we could be united in our goals. We were taught how to manage our group. Woven gave us assistance in our livelihood and trainings so that we could improve our organization.”
“I felt nervous; I kept thinking I was not ready to take on such a big responsibility. I didn’t know the first thing about managing people,” said Riza in Tagalog.
The young weaver also mentioned the economic benefits brought about by the enterprise’s interventions: “It was Woven that enabled us to raise the prices of our banig mats.” Because they were taught how to fairly price their products, the weavers became wiser when it came to dealing with entrepreneurs and consolidators who had kept prices down in previous years. As a result, the women stood to gain more from their labor as artisans, understanding their worth and the value of their work.
Image courtesy of CHARLES & KEITH (find out more about the collaboration)
As a president of the fledgling group, Riza’s daily tasks include monitoring orders, keeping track of raw materials, and managing the members’ concerns, which range from craft-related to personal. According to her, part of her responsibility is to broaden the members’ perspectives so that they see the opportunities in doing their jobs well. “As president, I am challenged by how to help make each member’s life better and continuously engage them in our activities. I want to see our association succeed,” she says.
Working as a full-time mom and leader, Riza is the kind of empowered woman who places others before herself. Her own dream is simple but, as is the case for most young women in her community, difficult: “I dream of someday continuing and finishing my studies,” mused Riza. “And for my family, I hope to raise my kids properly and also see them finish their studies.”
]]>Tarish Zamora, or Trish as her friends call her, stands in the surf looking out at the vast ocean. The water flows and crashes around her. Surfers in the line-up feel the energy in the water, anticipating the next wave to ride. Suddenly, the water swells as they start to paddle out. Tarish assumes her position, digging her feet in the sand and ready to snap the magic moments of surfers riding the waves.
]]>Suddenly, the water swells as they start to paddle out. Tarish assumes her position, digging her feet in the sand and ready to snap the magic moments of surfers riding the waves.
After a couple of clicks, the wave breaks into whitewater and Tarish is caught in the undertow. Clutching onto her camera, the waves send her tumbling and crashing underwater.
The ocean calms down again and the water turns flat. Shaking off that last wipe-out, Tarish comes back into a standing position again ready to catch the next wave of photographs.
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by: Gabbie de Guzman
As an AB Communications graduate from Ateneo de Manila University, Tarish mainly dabbled in TV production fresh from college. She even produced a film after graduating and went on to work for ABS-CBN.
But her interest in photography was always there. Her father's hobby is photography and she'd be fascinated with the cameras he would sometimes bring home. Tarish also took one basic photography class in university. But even then, taking photos was never one of her professional goals.
"Just do it. Don't let your fears get the better of you."
Tarish realized the production profession wasn't for her as she wanted to dive into a more creative role. So when MEGA Magazine looked for a photographer-videographer-editor multi-hyphenate, she went for it, having experienced all three in university.
Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
In Photo: Dagat Abre Sleeve | Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
Tarish claims she wasn't heavily skilled yet at these three roles, but she was set on learning as much as she can, expanding her network, and gaining experience in the industry. As Tarish likes to say, "Just do it. Don't let your fears get the better of you." And so she went, and set to be the best creative professional she could be.
Now, Tarish has an amazing portfolio of varying subjects: food, interiors, portraits, fashion, beauty shots, and of course, surfing. Her favorite subjects to shoot are surfers, portraits of women, and coffee (she's a self-proclaimed caffeine nut!)
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
It was only at the beginning of 2018 when Tarish fell in love again with photography. When she gazes at a photo, she'll find it beautiful when she feels emotional because of it. This is what she wants people to get out of the shots she takes - to move them.
Tarish feels fortunate to have found a tribe who supports her in her journey to becoming a photographer. With her learning mindset and go-getter attitude, Tarish wants to keep capturing beautiful imagery which evokes raw emotions.
"The best photos of women I take are usually the candid ones. They're at their most naturally beautiful."
When photographing women, she first wants to make them feel comfortable and to let their guard down, especially if they're shy. Refraining from too many posed photographs, Tarish wants to capture women being their natural selves. She likes to say, "The best photos of women I take are usually the candid ones. They're at their most naturally beautiful."
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
When they're comfortable, that's when their true colors emerge and from there, it's photography magic. Photoshoots peppered with compliments, amazing lighting, and hearty laughs -- these are what's in store if and when you have a photoshoot with Tarish.
Mid-laugh, deep in thought, or engaged in conversation, these are normally the photos which Tarish and her clients like the most. Sometimes, it's the pauses and breaks between each click that are the most beautiful to capture. That's why Tarish just keeps clicking when she photographs her models.
Catching waves and capturing images in the water, you can find Tarish in several of the country's surfing hotspots: Baler, La Union, and Siargao, to name a few.
Tarish said she has wept with overflowing feelings because of some surfing photos she's seen. She wants to translate these emotions into her own photos. This is why she constantly seeks to improve her craft.
Her surfing photos are her way of reaching out to people who feel stressed out or anxious. "I'd like for my photos to be a reminder for everyone to relax and take a breather every once in a while. To go out into the ocean and play."
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
"I'd like for my photos to be a reminder for everyone to relax and take a breather every once in a while. Go out into the ocean and play."
Tarish began doing photo series, starting with her Coffee Shop Series. Her current one is her Waves Series, where she takes photographs of surfers and the ocean. She regards taking photos out in the water her alone time. When she photographs surfers and people out at sea, it's just her and her camera.
Tarish has several anxieties about surf photography like smashing her camera, wiping out underwater, and crashing into other surfers.
But these fears are small compared to her desire to take great photos. She doesn't even feel tired battling the waves and guarding her gear. Tarish is too stoked to stop and she doesn't get out of the water until she's satisfied with her shots. The exhaustion doesn't kick in until she turns in for bed after a long day in the water.
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Given her slew of several clients, Tarish works on personal projects to refine her skills without having to adhere to a particular aesthetic for her photos. That's why she has her photo series.
Her first, the Coffee Shop Series, was also her way of catching up with friends. Plus, this provided exposure to several coffee shops around Metro Manila. Her freelancer friends are constantly on the lookout for good places to work in and her series gave her friends and followers some good recommendations. Plus, this series is also her love letter to coffee.
Photo by Tarish Zamora
Photo by Tarish Zamora
With her fearless persona and take charge attitude, it's no surprise that Tarish will go far shooting places, waves, and faces. Her advice for people starting out in the creative industry is simple: keep practicing, don't give in to fear, and always be kind.
When you're new in the industry, Tarish recommends collaborating with other artists who are starting out as well and learning from the veterans, just as she had.
"You won't get anywhere if you keep being scared and making excuses."
Tarish first started doing shoots for free with her friends, one a budding make-up artist, and the other a rookie stylist. Together, they were on the same path to building their portfolio and widening their experience. It's good practice to have a group that has your back and understands what you're going through as a newbie.
Caving in to fear and laziness is an absolute no-no for Tarish. "You won't get anywhere if you keep being scared and making excuses." It's okay to be scared but not when it stops you from pursuing a dream. Find your tribe who you can lean onto for support and advice.
In Photo: Dagat Abre Sleeve | Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
In Photo: Pintados Pilipinas Abre Sleeve | Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
"When you meet people, always be kind." Someone with skills and who's easy to work with will always trump a brilliant artist with zero people skills. Tarish advices remembering people's names as well because this provides a better connection with the people you'll work with.
Tarish is a living testimony that working hard, taking risks, and constantly learning will take you places. Photographs can paint a thousand words. And her story is certainly etched in every one of her works.
It's officially summer in the Philippines! Take the ocean with you wherever you roam with the Dagat Abre sleeve. The cool waves will remind you of a relaxing ocean or a tranquil blue sky.
Get your own Dagat sleeve today!
Check out Tarish Zamora's online portfolio and follow her Instagram profile, @tarishzamora!
]]>99% of weavers in Basey, Samar are women.
Over the last years, we have been welcomed into multiple homes where they do their weaving. There is a familiarity to each one: framed certificates and distinguished awards of family members hang on one wall. Buri strips are scattered on the floor. The children play outside and run back through the doorway every so often to check on their mother's progress. Snacks are prepared, cold soft-drink bottles opened and poured into mugs. Gossip is exchanged or songs are sung as the tikog strips magically turn into banig mats in their masterful hands.
Image by CHARLES & KEITH
We have learned many things through working closely with them. Despite the many challenges and limitations of life in the province each day, they remain hopeful. They are hard-working and patient. They are creative and resilient. There is kindness and compassion in the way they carry out their tasks.
The most vital thing we have learned is that when women are given a choice and given the chance to take control, they are empowered. When women are empowered, people around her feel this way as well. Because when women dream, they dream beyond themselves.
This was a belief shared by CHARLES & KEITH. And this was what powered our collaboration with them.
Image by CHARLES & KEITH
In 2019, CHARLES & KEITH is continuing its efforts to achieve the vision of a world that is free from gender discrimination, inequality and violence. In honour of International Women’s Day, they reached out to us to produce a special capsule collection of hand-woven items. Inspired by the theme “Empowering Women of Tomorrow”, it consisted of four unique products and is now a part of a movement to provide women with vital skills to better their lives and give them a voice in their communities.
For Woven, this also served as the perfect opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of our Filipina artisans. As a social enterprise, we are dedicated to the goal of keeping weaving and embroidery traditions alive through the sales of handicrafts. We work with artisan communities and help them gain better market access for their handmade goods. This provides craftspeople with more income, and in turn provides greater incentive for new generations to take up the art of their parents and grandparents.
Woven Co-founder and CEO Trish Lim shared that she believes that one should use her “talents, skills and and knowledge to create opportunities for other women and make their lives better." Through Woven, she hopes to contribute to the creation of a just and equitable society where female artisans have the power to forge a brighter future for themselves and their children. The social enterprise also works to unlock the leadership potential of the women they work with, so that they may become inspiring role models for others in their communities.
Image by CHARLES & KEITH
For every product sold from this special capsule collection, 20% of the net sales would be donated to the weavers of Woven, helping them to realise their potential as empowered female leaders, and advocates for gender equality in their communities.
The CHARLES & KEITH capsule collection for International Women’s Day 2019 would only be available on CHARLESKEITH.COM – excluding the UK, EU and Japan markets.
We couldn’t be more excited to share this special collaboration with all of you! Let us know in the comments section below what you think of the campaign.
For more updates and stories about the collaboration, visit the website: https://www.charleskeith.com/ph.
Fashion entrepreneurs, Charles & Keith Wong founded CHARLES & KEITH in 1996 upon identifying the potential of footwear designs catered for eastern women. CHARLES & KEITH is the go-to fashion destination for stylish urbanites, recognized for its desirable fashion and curated collections of relevant designs. With women as the central focus, the brand has developed a full-fledged line of footwear, bags, eyewear, accessories and costume jewelry. Pushing forward four brand values: Experimental, Desirable, Curated and Modernity, the brand aims to celebrate women and inspire fashion and beauty every day. CHARLES & KEITH extends beyond brick-and-mortar with online shopping site CHARLESKEITH.COM, making the brand available through United States of America, Asia Pacific and Europe.
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From cozy coffee shops to seaside workstations, freelancers have mastered the art of working from just about anywhere. But wherever the venue may be, they are still bound by the same work values of perseverance, self-discipline, and personal efficiency. And a freelancer is never without his or her own formal client meetings - if anything, there is the extra pressure to make oneself more professional, given the lack of a fixed office space.
For this week's blog article, we have a guest post from Tin Advincula of Coffice Hunter on how to prepare for meetings to help you bag projects and partners!
In her own words, Tin is a work-at-home Editorial Manager by day, Blogger by night, and #cofficehunter 24/7.
With a Creative Writing Degree from U.P. Diliman and numerous short courses from online and overseas all under her belt, you can bet Tin is highly skilled in her field. Plus, she's worked with brands like Dthree Digital, AC Currency, Hello Gorgeous, Access Travel, Trail Adventours, and AltShift Coworking Space.
Tin is someone who's built her career from the ground up, even before graduating from university. With the many skills and projects she's amassed through the years, she's also forged and bolstered connections who can attest to her expertise.
This empowered hustler is one of the best professionals to consult on the freelancing life. She can even suggest the best coffices in the Metro!
What are some tried and tested tips to project professionalism? Let Tin school you on the best ways to prepare - and ace - your meetings with her practical advice on making a notable first impression.
Tin: One of the things I had to work on as a solo entrepreneur, aside from honing my craft as a writer, was talking to clients. Of course, I had the basic communication skills, but this is something I didn’t learn in college. It was probably one of the most important things I had to master and experience was my teacher. You see, when it comes situations like pitching an idea, fighting for the budget, or maybe even rejecting a client (this happens) the non-verbal things matter. Which is why your presence and vibe as an entrepreneur make a difference.
Here are a few things I learned throughout my career in making a good impression.
Okay, just to start with the most important thing - I come to meetings prepared with a presentation that I’m ready to present or a list of things I want to say. It doesn’t have to be done verbatim but having a written guide is a good thing to have to make the meeting productive.
In photo: Liham Sleeve in Natural Black
When I’m presenting myself in a meeting I’m not just representing myself as a writer. I’m the finance, admin, project manager, and sometimes even the graphic designer. I have a lot to live up to and I need to look like I have everything under control - which I do, like 80% of the time. Haha!
Looking presentable includes hygiene, grooming, makeup, clothes, shoes, and accessories. This is when I can rely on my Woven laptop sleeve - whether it’s a Dahon-Dahon or an Amakan design it never ceases to spark interest and start a conversation.
Looking a certain way also echoes 2 things: how I want to be perceived and how I perceive my client. In a sense, looking presentable is like a sign of respect and a manifestation of how the important the other party is to me.
Meetings are basically conversations with a strict agenda. If I’m not at the front and center of the conversation, I should still listen intently and express it through body language (this is why I always nod my heads during meetings), take notes, look people directly in the eye, and ask questions and give inputs.
In photo: Liham Sleeve in Natural Black
Meeting people for the first time is nerve-wracking to me because I’m a very opinionated person, but throughout countless meetings I’ve had, I’ve learned that my opinion isn’t always important. I know, mind-blowing. Opinions can make or break someone’s impression of me and what I say may or may not offend the other party. (which is the last thing I want to do) However, I break this rule once in a while when I feel like I have to “defend” something - but I’ll only speak if I can voice out my thoughts in an orderly and purely subjective manner.
There’s a reason people in sales have a certain charm about them. When they speak, they draw us in and keep us focused. They know how to make us listen. Honestly, it’s a skill I’m still working on, but I’ve realized that I can start at a simple smile. No one wants to discuss things with a Debbie Downer! Smile every now and then during the conversation and share a few personal things (nothing too personal, though! Remember the previous tip) People want to work with people they actually like and feel comfortable with, this is what makes you rememberable.
Bottom line is, everything you say you do at a meeting will leave a mark on them and your business. Act your best and make sure you are able to actually deliver all the things you’ve discussed and promised during the meeting. ‘Til then, keep hustling!
Got any more freelancer tips? Share them with the community and leave a comment below!
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Tin Advincula is a writer from Manila who loves to hang-out in cafes (or as she calls it, “coffices”) around Manila to work. She creates digital content for various brands and companies all over the world while living life to the fullest.
Check out her blog at Coffice Hunter!
It was love at first sight.
Liezl “Liz” Cabrera first laid eyes on Woven’s vibrant laptop sleeves at Roots Katipunan. The affair blossomed as Liz learned more about Woven’s story leading her to strike up a potential collaboration with Woven.
Thus began the creative partnership with Alternative.ph, the e-commerce platform of Works of Heart (Update: the shop is now closed but you can find out more about the initiative here). Alternative works with local social enterprises they call "Hi-Fi brands", which stands for High-Quality, Impactful, and Filipino. Liz Cabrera was at the helm of Alternative as the platform's resident Project Manager.
At the heart of the Alternative x Woven partnership is a shared love for local arts communities. Supporting local is more than about where each product is made. It’s about empowering crafts communities - the very reason for Woven's existence.
With Alternative's mission of championing local social enterprises and Woven's aim to uplift weaving communities around the country, it wasn't difficult to come up with a product that seamlessly intertwined the two organization's purpose or Layunin.
For this interview, the Woven team wanted to learn more about Alternative’s story. Liz regales us with anecdotes about building Alternative.ph, working with Woven, and what it really means to "love local".
Alternative is actually a play on words of 'alternative' and 'native' which we think is very apt for what we wanted to achieve. It was our way of saying, “Here are good local/native alternatives that you can support!”
It stems from our belief that design and platforms, like Alternative, can play a role in bridging people and local brands. What we particularly wanted to do is bring together local brands that advocate good causes and to amplify their stories so more people can know and support them.
Ultimately, we dream for businesses to be more sustainable, impactful, and inclusive.
We're very lucky and grateful to be working with brands that are so open with collaborating and being a part of Alternative. It comes as no surprise that the teams behind the brands are passionate, innovative, and hardworking. It was a pleasure learning about the brands from the founders themselves!
As for Alternative, there was definitely a lot of hard work and heart that was put into designing not just the collab products, but especially the branding, campaigns, and the website itself. Alternative is a project that the whole Works of Heart team worked really hard on, in spite of being a small team.
We're glad we had the chance to put it out there and be able to provide more channels for people and brands to be connected. It’s something we hope to build in the future.
Alternative was really intended to gather local brands that deserve recognition for their amazing products and stories of empowerment about sustainable livelihood and addressing environmental or societal issues.
With that, we wanted to reach out to people who are already aware of the issues in our society and wanted to take the extra step. We found that local products from smaller brands are not accessible to most people, so we wanted to act as a bridge through this platform.
The whole team loves the collab item we did with Woven, which is the Layunin! Dianne Aguas, the designer behind Layunin, wanted something that not only reflects Alternative or Works of Heart, but also something that everyone can resonate with. We're super thankful we had the chance to do this collab!
It was actually Layunin! We're looking forward for our next batch of Layunin sleeves, because we have a few people already anticipating for it to be restocked!
What we do becomes more meaningful when it is anchored to a "WHY".
There is a big possibility for Filipino social enterprises to grow, because more and more Filipinos are conscious about the things they purchase. Our dream for social enterprises is for them to enhance their impact and be more accessible to everyone.
We aspire for local products and local stories to be celebrated in ways they have not been before, and we believe that it can be possible in the near future. Ultimately, we dream for businesses to be more sustainable, impactful, and inclusive.
A good reminder is to always ground yourself to the problem you are trying to solve. What we do becomes more meaningful when it is anchored to a "WHY", a purpose, a layunin.
Always have the humility to learn and surround yourself with people who share your vision and can support you in this journey. You may encounter some challenges along the way but nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
Check out the Layunin, the Alternative x Woven collab laptop sleeve, and other Hi-Fi finds over at Alternative.ph!
]]>This year, the Woven team worked tirelessly on refining our array of products and boosting our operations. The messages we receive from you have been insightful, helpful, and inspiring.
Take a look at some of our favorite messages from our beloved customers:
I love my Liham laptop sleeve, so much so that I recommended it to my sister, who I believe ordered or might order a few pieces to be given as gifts to international guests who are flying in for a conference she organized. I use it often, interchanging with another laptop sleeve, depending on my outfit of the day. I like the brown one better than the black one because I've been more partial to the color ever since, and it seems more "local" or "filipiniana" than black. No visible wear and tear, even with the sides or the lining. :)
Liham Mini Natural Black; bought April 2018
It's great! I love the design and people always compliment me on it whenever I use it and they usually ask where I bought it. The colors do wear off after some time but I think it just adds more personality to the laptop case.
Sinag Blue Small, bought Oct 2018
So many people have been commenting on how amazing my case is. Honestly, everywhere I go, especially since I’m in a foreign country. I always mention your page when they do, and I plan to buy some more this month for Christmas gifts.
Liham Laptop Sleeve Medium (All Black), bought Feb 2018
I love the laptop sleeve! It's the perfect size for my Google Pixelbook, its charger, and a pair of earphones to fit into. The cushioning/padding makes it easy and reassuring to toss onto a car seat when I happen to be in a rush.
Every Woven product is truly a journey of the Philippine's beautiful textiles and weaving culture. Together, we can sustain the woven tradition and empower artisan communities in the country.
From all of us here at Woven, thank you for another amazing year!
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If you'd like to send us your comments or suggestions, drop us a line at wovenhandicrafts@gmail.com or message us on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We look forward to your letters!
]]>People say that the youth hold the key to the future. But we forget to add that the ones who polish and shine these "keys" are teachers. Teaching is more than relaying facts and figures straight out of textbooks. It's opening a person's eyes to wider perspectives through education.
Learning can happen anywhere as teachers come from everywhere -- the academia, the fashion industry, and even out in the open sea.
This week, we highlight three educators who have inspired countless individuals in their respective fields.
Read on to learn their stories and what being a teacher means to them.
As a management scholar, Nat Chua currently has her hands full doing research on how educational institutions can help undo the marginalization rampant in local communities around the country. Nat is an advocate for women and youth empowerment and she works towards more accessible opportunities for our fellowmen. She is passionate about how business education can produce not only the next generation of entrepreneurs, but also the future leaders of social transformation.
For Nat, being a teacher means meeting people where they are in terms of skill or temperament, and fully supporting them in their educational journey. A good teacher recognizes their students' inherent worth as individuals and pushes them to break the limitations they've built for themselves. The job isn't easy, but when students break these boundaries, the challenge is worth it.
"Nobody teaches for the material benefit," Nat claims. This is why they say teaching is more than a profession, it's a vocation. "I have endless gratitude for all the teachers who have answered this call," she writes. "These people have loved us into who we are today, and we owe it to them for their enduring sacrifice and selflessness."
It was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, first elected female head of state in Africa, who wrote the famous quote about dreaming big: "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough." But according to Nat, it should be "If your dreams don't include others, they aren't big enough."
When Nat dreams, she dreams big. She is full of hope for an inclusive and brighter future, much bigger than personal ambitions.
Follow Nat on Twitter at @PilosopoTanya!
As a fashion marketing professor at the School of Fashion and the Arts, Nela knows what young creative professionals aspire towards - runway-worthy collections, a spread in the prestigious magazines, their own designer brands and boutiques. But she challenges her students further by raising the question of the future of Filipino design and craftsmanship.
"I think it’s important to support local enterprises so that we can ensure that Filipino designs and craftsmanship live on," she says. "By buying local, we help provide jobs to our countrymen. It’s also eco-friendly when sourcing is done locally."
A generous educator through and through, Nela feels that being a teacher is all about giving. She readily offers her time, knowledge, energy, and skills to students under her tutelage. Nela shares that the most valuable lesson she has learned so far is that there are no short cuts to success - a good network, brilliant credentials, and even a fabulous wardrobe can only take you so far.
She adds: "Integrity and hard work is fundamental in everything."
Moved by compassion and passion for the environment, this skin diver and marine conservationist aims to influence others to care for Mother Nature and practice life conservation. Environmentalism isn't just about protecting our natural resources; it's an everyday choice to respect life in all its forms.
Gela is a strong supporter of fisherfolk empowerment, working with coastal communities to bolster their economic capacity. Under the sea and out of the water, she teaches people skin diving basics, fish identification, and marine conservation.
Gela also advocates for kindness towards others and kindness for oneself. As a diver, she is a natural buddy who always looks out for other people. Gela has learned the hard way that it's just as important to look after oneself. "Treat rest, fun, and self-care like food," she says. "Get enough of them."
For the founding president of ISDA and co-founder of Reef Nomads Skin Diving Tours, teaching gives one the power to change perspectives. In her case, the perspective shift is literal when she brings her students beneath the waves to experience the beauty and thrill of nature. Though her work may sometimes pull her under, she knows that there is no way forward but to keep swimming. She cherishes the thought that at every diving session, there is always a chance to create an impact in someone's life.
Follow Gela on Instagram (@stungbyagelafish) and Facebook!
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The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. And we have our teachers to thank for that. They hand down wisdom to the next generation, ensuring that important ideas, knowledge, and skills live on.
This coming November and December, we hope to do the same with a project called Woven on the Move. We'll be bringing our weavers to Manila to teach children the proudly Filipino art form of banig weaving. Keep your eyes on our social media accounts for updates and get in touch with us if you want to know how you can support our weavers.
Again, cheers to all our amazing teachers. Happy Teacher's Month!
]]>A large framed banig mat in your living room makes for a “welcome” piece of art! Greet your guests with a colorful framed banig - or three - on the wall as they enter your home.
Photo by @piepadua
From sun, sand, sea, or summit, a banig is a great companion for all your adventures. Lay on a banig to keep you cool as you sunbathe on the beach. A colorful banig mat would also be a lovely addition to a picnic in the park. Some people would also bring their banigs on camping trips, using it as a sleeping mat.
Imagine having a colorful banig mat as the backdrop of the vision board for your goals and dreams. Pretty, right? Use thumbtacks to place photos, letters, and other paraphernalia on your mood board. Use this same idea to create a bulletin board for announcements in your classroom or office. Tack the banig mat on a cork bulletin board and post away!
Plants can breathe life and oxygen (literally) into any room. Take the green thumb vibes up a notch by using a banig as a floor mat for your household plants.
For babies and small children, recognizing colors is an essential building block they’ll use for learning as they grow. When designing your kids’ rooms, lay a banig mat in their rooms to splash some colors in the space.
Photo (and baby) by Macy Sy-Cadelinia
Need a fun accent to liven up your spaces? No other home decor is as Filipino as the banig mat. Choose one with striking colors and it'll be sure to lend some rustic charm to your home.
Photo by Gabbie De Guzman
Adorn your tabletops with smaller sizes of a banig mat. This draws attention to the items on the table. Place it on coffee tables, bedside tables, dressers, and drawers. Voila, simple but captivating.
The uses of a banig mat have definitely evolved from simply being a mat for sleeping. The options are as endless as your creativity allows. Adorn your home, office, or room with this timeless symbol of Filipino artistry and ingenuity.
Looking to get a banig mat? You can now pre-order on our website! Please note that production time and delivery would take 5-8 weeks. Best to book your orders while the pre-order window is still open!
]]>How did Woven begin?
There were multiple starting points. At the time, they all seemed random and lacking in purpose. Looking back, though, it was possible to see how all of these points connected and fell into their rightful place. Officially, it began at the start of 2016. But before that, one of the founders was already doing volunteer work in the town of Basey in Western Samar. He was organizing the weaving communities in the area, helping them form associations so they could earn more and benefit from their craft.
As an old tradition, banig weaving used to be a good source of income for the women in Samar; they could pay for household expenses, raise their kids and send them to school with the money earned from weaving. But as the years went by, consolidators and entrepreneurs came in to buy the mats, keeping prices at their lowest while making high profits elsewhere. This put the weavers at a disadvantage. A family mat took about three to four weeks to complete, but a weaver earned only an average of Php 600 per month. The typical weaver was 50 years old and hunchbacked. She didn't see the value in continuing her weaving and she didn’t want her children to follow in her trade.
Woven aims to change that. We hope to uplift the lives of artisans involved in traditional crafts and produce high-quality local products for the modern world. If you want to know more, you can check out the CNN Philippines feature below to know how all the points connected and how we intend to support our local weavers:
Photos and videos of the community by Trish Lim
]]>We do nothing but sit and wait.
In one section of the floor, ate Arlene crouches over a mat woven from dried tikog leaves. She is positioned near the metal gate where the morning light spills in between the bars, illuminating her workspace. Across the room, on a table near a window with half-open wooden shutters sits ate Beth. Strewn around her feet are buri strips in color-coded bundles. The sewing machine before her makes a rhythmic rat-tat-tat as she stitches lining and zipper to a piece of banig. An ashtray is behind her, within arm’s reach. Smoke from her cigarette curls upwards and forms shapes in the pale light.
It is work they have done for years. It is work I’m getting to know in the span of a few days.
Today, John tells me, our job is to watch. He is concerned that I might be bored, but I do as I am told. I watch.
I watch as ate Arlene slips dyed buri strips into the eye of a long, flat needle – pahot, the Waray call it – then pushes it into a sliver of space in the banig mat, where the weft and warp overlap. It takes a bit of force to get it under; for a second, I fear that the tikog leaves will break and rupture. But they hold. The needle resurfaces then bobs quickly as she pushes it over then under the weave. Over and under, over and under – until the aqua buri strip is fully embedded in the banig. She cuts the excess peeking out then swipes the flat side of her knife across the embroidery to flatten it. Simple.
I try it later in the same position as ate Arlene: legs apart forming an acute angle, torso bent over a clean space of banig. It’s not as easy as it looks. Pahot in hand with a length of buri trailing from it, I do the work of an embroiderer or paragpahot. The process is simple, like cross-stitching except on a bigger scale, but I go through the motions more slowly and carelessly. I successfully embroider one line of color then I do another. By the third, I am uncomfortable and shift positions, bending my right leg towards my left thigh. My butt begins to go numb. It doesn’t take ten minutes before I give up completely and go back to the relative comfort of my Monobloc chair.
All afternoon, I watch them hunched over their individual stations. Ate Beth’s sister joins in later at a separate table to stick leather onto chip board. The pungent smell of rugby fills the room. The minutes stretch into hours and we fill the silences with loose talk and gossip. I ask questions about their craft and they share little tidbits. Ate Beth has been weaving for fifteen years; ate Arlene has been an embroiderer for ten.
They do not talk as readily about themselves as most people; John tells me that the Waray have a reputation for being tough and are more skeptical about the intents or agenda of visitors, especially following the 2013 super-typhoon Yolanda. In the aftermath, volunteers flowed into the towns, eager to help (for which the locals were undoubtedly grateful for). But after they had done their work for a few days or weeks, they left and did not come back, leaving the survivors to their own devices.
John had stayed a year and immersed himself in the community. They know him and some are even friends with him. I, on the other hand, am a new face, a stranger. I still have a long way to go in terms of building relationships and making friends. So, I am thankful for the small pieces of information that they share.
Throughout the morning, people come in and out of the open gate that serves as ate Beth’s front door. A weaver or a paraglara walks in with a black “family-sized” mat and offers to sell it. The visitor names a price and ate Beth laughs in surprise, then negotiates in the local dialect. They come to an agreement and the weaver leaves the rolled-up mat by the table. She hangs around for a while and tells me before leaving that it is worth more because it takes a great amount of dyes to color the banig black.
In the afternoon, a little girl with wispy brown hair bursts into the room like a ray of sunshine. She is wearing a t-shirt and a navy school skirt, and heads for the weaver sitting on the floor. She leans over her mother’s handiwork and asks timidly, “Tapos?” Apple is ate Arlene’s youngest daughter, just six years old but already walking to and from school without supervision. Her mother doesn't answer, her eyes glued to the bobbing needle. Apple positions herself near the gate and waits the way children do – restlessly. She peers at the banig on the floor, at Ate Beth's sewing machine, then at the highway with its passing trucks and roaring tricycles. She rocks back and forth, stretches, twists, and crosses her legs. When the waiting proves to be longer than expected, she marches off to ate Beth’s living room, where her playmate, Ysabel, is watching television.
There is a part of me that wants to wander away like the little girl. I am itching to get on a habal-habal and head for somewhere greener and open-spaced. But I manage to stick to my spot, to do the job that needs to be done today, partly from a sense of duty and also a growing fascination. I watch the colors blossom on the banig as ate Arlene adds new lines of color. I am filled with wonder at her quiet intensity, at ate Beth’s air of certainty and confidence in her skill. Here are two talented individuals at peace with their craft – a refreshing take on the frenzied artist, usually shown as struggling for inspiration and at war with himself or herself. For these women are artists in their own right – artisans who specialize in the centuries-old practice of mat weaving and embroidery.
The work ends only when the light diminishes into semi-darkness. The single light bulb in ate Beth’s work area is not enough to illuminate her table, let alone the whole room. Putting her needle and knife to rest, ate Arlene swipes the buri bundles aside and rises from the floor. Despite ate Beth’s invitation to eat, she says she will have dinner at home with her family.
Tomorrow, she will be back to resume the work she began.
John and I will be in another barangay by then. But for the both of them, it will be another day of sitting and waiting. Like any craft, banig weaving demands concentration and perseverance – one that comes into fruition only under the slow, steady work of competent hands. They are patient. They must be. Because they know that patience is not just a virtue but a valuable skill that brings food to their tables. So they carry out the motions of a time-hallowed tradition, eking out a living for themselves and their families.
And in their sitting and waiting, they create.
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Text and Photos by Trish Lim
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