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6 Awesome Women from the Prestigious Manila FAME

basket weave making, basket weave

Hello everyone and hope you had a great day! A few weeks ago, we’ve celebrated the bi-annual Manila FAME and I was so thrilled to see many new designs created by our local talents. I felt that each season, there is always something new, and it feeds my creative side. This is also my 2nd season working together with CITEM as one of their online media partners. Yey!

I am a huge advocate of creative women, so for the last season, I’ve met these 6 creative Filipino women. Their stories are so inspiring that sometimes they made me speechless. And I am thankful for I meet them here at Manila FAME.

1. Liza’s Palm Strips Handicrafts

Established in the south at Agusan Del Sur, this humble team had touched my heart. They are won the Editor’s Choice Award (sponsored by moi) for being so talented and dedicated to their crafts and for their artisans. Headed by the local designer Ms. Gina Catuburan-Bagasbas, she helped to lift up the spirit of the artisans and patiently taught them how to create with utmost quality. Source here

Here are some of their designs. Take a moment to observe how intricate and clean these basket-making patterns.

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
The owner of Liza’s Palm Strips Handicrafts, Ms. Gina (the designer), and your belle!

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
Ms. Gina Catuburan-Bagasbas, designer for Liza’s Palm Strips Handicrafts

I translate her designs just like an untouched beauty of a Filipina: classic and timeless. Each weave expresses strength, loyalty, and being resilient - characters that make us more proud of our culture.




2. H.G.Q Handicrafts

Owned by the humble Momma from Nabua Camarines Sur, the owner and lead designer Ms. Hunny G. Quiano made me wow for her adorable and nature-loving designs, created with love, passion, and dream.

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
Her weaved baskets are made up of abaca, raffia, and mainly bangkuan. Bangkuan (scirpus grossus) is one of the coarsest sedges in the Philippines. It is a large, erect, aquatic, or marshy herb seagrass found in freshwater swamps and in newly-opened rice fields at low altitudes. Ms. Hunny has created jobs to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty.


3. TWWA – Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association, Inc.

TWWA is a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to revive the vanishing weaving tradition of the Tagoloanen, and to ensure that the mat-making tradition is transmitted to the next generation.

circular weaving, mat making

The organization envisions the promotion of indigenous arts to help the Tagolwanen women weavers achieve economic independence and contribute to the assertion of their right to self-determination.

The native mats are made by the women weavers from the tribe of Bukidnon-Tagolwanen in Malybalay Bukidnon I the Philippines. These women weavers (called maglalala) and mostly weave during nighttime or whenever it is cool or during rainy days for the materials are not brittle. The materials used for mat making are called sodsod which are endemic in the province of Bukidnon.
The tribe believes that their designs are God-given fair share from the creation. Mat-making is not only part of the livelihood of the women of the Bukidnon-Togolwanen tribe, it is also their way of keeping their tradition as each detailed design found in each mat reflects tribal values and beliefs.

circular weaving, mat making
I’ve learned that these Tagolwanen weavers (called maglalala) take 2 to 3 weeks to finish one huge mat, and transport it downhills on foot to sell their mats to nearby towns. They are selling these mats ranging from Php2000 to Php5,000 depending on the size and intricate of the designs. If you ever find these women, please don’t haggle. This is not all about the money – they are passing on a piece of their tradition and culture to you.


4. Myrtha’s Pictis Sac Weaved & Handpainted Bayong

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
Since last year, some luxury brands had made our local market basket (or locally known as bayong) become part of the luxury items, and are being sold with hefty-priced tags however most of us Asians are not crazy to lure that fad.

If you are a smart shopper, you will opt to get this plastic-made bayong and artistically decors by the local artisan. This local company managed by Ms. Jelai accepts made-to-order designs, and these bags won’t break your husband’s bank account.


5. Tatak Pitak Native Bags

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
Owned and managed by Ms. Yovita, these weaved native bags are all sourced from Camarines Sur. These gorgeous bags would scream summer and would love to accompany you on your next vacation. No lady would say no to these handbags. They accept made-to-order as well and deliver anywhere.

basket making pattern, basketweave, basket making
Your belle together with Ms. Jelai of Myrtha Weaved Bayong, and Ms. Yovita of Tatak Pitak


6. Lally Dizon Design Concepts

crocodile products, alligator bags

When I saw these handbags, I could imagine Beyonce’s wearing them. I mean, these bags are so gorgeous and fierce AF, it’s oozing with hotness and I love the intricate designs of the pattern. No wonder because these are made up of crocodile and snakeskin from South America. No patterns are alike, and it is quite heavy. No kidding, but you can make this as your weapon, metaphorically and figuratively.

crocodile products, alligator bags
Ms. Lally Dizon, the creative designer, and owner of Lally Dizon Design Concepts. She is gorgeous!

Do check her latest collection at www.lallydizon.com


Truly, being partnered with Manila FAME gives me an opportunity to learn more about our local crafts and artisans. Those can’t be bought by anything.

If you want to meet more amazing Filipino designers, visit Manila FAME this October season!


Register now, here.


xoxo, Blair



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96 comments :

  1. Wow! That's seems to be an ideal local expo, those craft are truly world class hopefully we continue to promote and patronage.

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    1. I agree! It was like visiting an open candy store with lots of gorgeous options!

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  2. All of the items here look so cute! I love seeing women creating and inspiring other women!

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    1. Thank you Jessi! And most of them are single Mommas!

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  3. So neat! I am impressed by these women. I need one of those straw purses now. How creative.

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  4. I loved this, because it's not the type of post I come across often. I particularly enjoy how each group is also working toward a larger goal, whether it's an economic cause, eco-friendliness, etc.

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    1. Thank you Kaylyn! It is our advocacy to share the creativeness of our local women, to inspire other women (and men) across the country to discover their own creative side, and use them to improve their lives.

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  5. I love cultural art. I noticed at the Holidays our Costco had some great bowls and tapestry's from parts of the world

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    1. That's cool! Costco knows how to source local items.

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  6. There are so many pretty things displayed. The Minnie Mouse bag is so cute!

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    1. I agree! I can't stopped smiling seeing Minnie Mouse.

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  7. I like the bayong. I think it would totally be stylish for me to use those for grocery bags. lol

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    1. I agree, I think these are better than the Louis Vuitton version.

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  8. Amazing handicrafts. Those bags are osum.

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  9. This is such a wonderful post and great list you have. Those craft are really unique and awesome.

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  10. These are some cool products you have explained here. Going to benefit a lot of us.

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  11. I love supporting women who handcraft such beautiful objects! I especially like those native bags!

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    1. They are so adorable and surprisingly affordable.

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  12. Wow, the next level hand craft product. YOu guys should put this online and I'm sure it will be a hit.

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    1. Yeah they are starting to put these online for exposure. They also export these bags to customers in US, Japan, and Europe.

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  13. Everything here looks so lovely. The bags are truly beautiful. It seems like a wonderful company to be affiliated with.

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    1. They are very humble and micro entrepreneurs that are worth supporting.

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  14. Such a lovely exhibition with so many talented women and beautiful craft! You must have had a blast!

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  15. Supporting local business and especially women in business is so important! Good for these amazing ladies who are sharing their talents with the world.

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    1. I agree! I learned so much from them from how to manage their artisans, designing process, the struggles, etc. They are creative and resilient Mommas.

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  16. What a fabulous place to see so much talent and creative work. I am loving all the bags and the colours as well.

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  17. Wow! What an inspirational post, as it's so refreshing to see how good people can really make a difference in the lives of many. Thanks for sharing this, as these baskets are really fantastic and very adorable too lol! Always a positive to see the real power and positive influence of women for cultural good :)

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    1. Tiffany, thank you! As part of the CITEM team, we helped many local women to promote their products both online and offline, and make our local community alleviate poverty, and enhance the livelihood.

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  18. These straw bags are so lovely and trendy. Great to learn about the women behind them. xo, Natalie http://nataliastyleblog.com

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  19. I am in bag heaven. So many pretty and creative and cultural designed bags!

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  20. What a great post and amazing things. They look so unique...and with fantastic colors.

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  21. These women has such an amazing skill and talent. Their patience in creating these one of a kind pieces is tremendous.

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    1. Women can do everything! Imagine they can carry a new life inside their womb for 9-months, and they can also build an enterprise.

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  22. Oh those cane weaved baskets are extremely popular in the North Eastern states of India. I am sure there must be some connection of those with the ones in Manila. Moreover, they are some very inspirational women and their products look world class.

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    1. Thank you Sidhu. I would love to see native products too made in India. Does anyone also organized an event like this in India?

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  23. Wow, these products are incredible. These are very talented women and what a special gift in each product they create.

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  24. Omg these bags are beyond amazing! I love anything straw especially for the summer! They make such a statement.

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  25. I love how niche your blog post is, so fascinating, Was a good read!

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    1. Oh thank you Chloe! I was evolved to become a niche combining all my interests in style, travel, lifestyle and culture.

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  26. kabayan! worldclass talga ang gawang Pinoy. everytime nagtatravel ako, lagi ako bumibili ng bag with native materials.galing!

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    1. That is cool! I just wonder why many known in media rarely flaunt or truly use, or brag about it.

      I have many native bags at home!

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  27. Hhhhmmmmm....wow, I'm very proud of them all. Please send them a big hi 5 and hug from me!

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    1. Yes I will! They are so happy reading your comments.

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  28. What a great post. I love the sound of all these brands. I will check them out some more.

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  29. All of these products look like they are well made and you can tell they were made with love, thanks for sharing all of them!

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    1. Oh thank you as well for visiting and for appreciating their work of art!

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  30. How beautiful, intricate, and detailed these products are. Thanks for sharing. I absolutely loved them!

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  31. Love supporting local businesses and I love the straw products for the season

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    1. Absolutely! Some of these bags are made of those wild water lilies.

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  32. Great bags! So nice of you to promote local artisans. Makes me proud to be Filipino! :)
    - Caly M (calymonreal.com)

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  33. Beautiful designs!The circle weaved baskets have been really popular this summer.

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    1. YEY! That is true and do you know that those famous native summer bags are mostly sourced here in the Philippines and Bali?

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  34. I always love reading about strong women and these women are amazing! Those woven mats are absolutely stunning.

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  35. Nice! Those were really wonderful handicrafts/ products. My mom would love it.

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  36. These women and their crafts are amazing

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  37. Beautiful handcrafted purses, love them.

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  38. So impressive everything was handmade!

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  39. This is such an inspirational post. Hardworking, creative women inspire me. These bags are just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. I love how unique each bag looks. They are so cute!

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  41. I'm such a handicraft buff too! Love all the indian artisan crafts and hanndlooms you're supporting!

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  42. Those handbags are SO GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. I absolutely love these types of things. There is so much culture and beautiful stories behind the artistry.

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  44. Wow, these are amazing woman who do amazing things! I love each craft your talked about, especially those colorful woven mats and those handbags. I want one of each to be shipped to Japan.

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  45. Wow they look so nice. I love the Minnie Mouse one for sure lol. Keep going they are beautiful designs.

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  46. It's great to know that your are interested in empowering women by exposing their local businesses through your blog, I wish you the best in all your endeavours.
    By the way the bag look pretty.

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    1. Thank you babe! I love helping to empower women :D

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  47. Wooow. Great and lovely work here .very creatve, innovative and inspiring work.

    https://rawlingsunday.wordpress.com/2018/03/28/8-reasons-you-have-too-much-expenses/

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  48. Those bags are amazing! I personally love the one with the flowers and succulents!

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  49. More power to the ladies. I love the weaving designs and the creative bags.

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    1. Thank you Pujarni. Does your city also have this kind of program for women?

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  50. OMG! All these palm baskets are so gorgeous. I'd be happy to sport one. its a fashion statement plus you get to support a local craft!
    My current diaper bag is actually a basket like this!

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