Amidst dying basket industry,

Gov pitches crafts linkage

With PhilSTAR exporters

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol April 20 (PIA) –Meeting native products importers of home furnishings and accessories for interior design, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado pitched a possible market linkage to benefit unemployed and under employed Bohol and the famed PhilExports’ Southern Tagalog Region 4A Association Inc. (PhilSTAR), for Bohol’s weaving industries.

During the courtesy call to the governor in time for the group’s annual Materials Sourcing Mission in Bohol April 15-19, the governor shared the possibility of Capitol funding the production of materials which PhilSTAR orders for export, where out of school youth, persons deprived of liberty, unemployed single parents and community based weavers to produce ordered designs of exportable handcrafted items.

A venture team of exporters and product designers dedicated to creating world class products showcasing the rich and creative designs of the Philippines, PhilSTAR is now seeing Bohol as a rich source of raw materials for handicrafts value-adding and even its high-end handcrafted products.

Here, the team of designers and handicraft exporters had five full days of interaction with Antequera basket weavers, Inabanga and Tubigon raffia weavers, Loon's romblon weavers, local government units, novelty items manufacturers, woodcraftsmen, food processors and home fixtures, gifts, toys and accessories, finalizing design concepts, booking orders and supply agreements from Bohol micro-small and medium enterprises.

Dr. Romeo Balderrama, PhilSTAR President said they are craftsmen, manufacturers and subcontractors engaged in production and sales of housewares, home fixtures, holiday decors using bamboo, nito, rattan, pandan, vines, buntal, twigs, dried flowers and leaves, driftwood, shells, up-cycled sheets, fibers like raffia, maguey, abaca and other indigenous materials.

Himself a retired anesthesiologist, acupuncturist and ikebana enthusiast, Dr. Balderrama who owns SarilinLikha, led the group who went to weaving hubs, showcase centers and souvenir shops to seek out materials his members can use to update their export portfolio.

“For me, it's a huge success,” said Fred Cuaresma, owner of Brics 16 in 1 blended coffee with turmeric, when asked about his experience in Bohol.

His standard measure of success, he based on the variety of materials they brought back to Manila for future studies in collaboration.

Cuaresma, who came with his wife Marissa as member of PhilSTAR’s board of trustees, said they even got something to bring home, even if their business, BRiCS Ventures is not into handicrafts export.

Marami pong magagandang products ang Bohol and we found these products to be extra ordinary. Magaganda po, Cuaresma bared.

During the courtesy call, Governor Aumentado asked PhilSTAR if they could commit to a linkage partnership where unemployed Boholanos are grouped and funded to weave and manufacture items which PhilSTAR designers come up, so they can buy in bulk.

Maayo kaayo ang offer ni gov, PhilSTAR mission participant and Zyrrah’s Arts and Crafts owner Joy Soriano, who speaks fluent Cebuano, commented.

Pwede gyud kayo nga himoon, she added although there could be concerns of keeping the high quality standards if the plan pushes through without setting up the necessary measures to maintain product quality.

Mayor Jose Mario Pahang, during the group’s courtesy call, couldn’t hold his excitement knowing that his town’s premier cottage industry is experiencing a slowdown, and weavers getting forced to produce cheap if only to get food on their tables.

“We couldn’t thank you enough [for coming to us],” Pahang, whose Municipal Cooperative Development Office and Tourism Office are now in the heat of seeking interventions to salvage the age-long basket industry now needing the buyers.

Traditionally acclaimed as Bohol’s basket capital, Antequera did not fail the designers who saw tuhog-tuhog weaves interestingly Bohol, and the nito, sig-id vines and bamboo presenting endless possibilities. (PIABohol)

REVIVING THE INDUSTRY. With basket weaving industry draining out of popularity, PhilSTAR’s coming to Bohol for theor material sourcing mission sparks a hope in Gov Aumentado who presented a possible market linkage between Bohol weavers and southern Tagalog exporters for a sure market for Bohol weaves. (PIABohol)