Category Archives: Proud to be Pinoy!

 Save the date August 26-28 at 8 Rockwell Penthouse

 Beautiful Mel Francisco @marimelfrancisco with the official @maartefair fan by no other than the Fan Man Monchet Olives @monchetthefanman #MaArteFair #WeAreMaArte #MaArteFair2016

Tita Cedie Lopez Vargas @cedielv modeling a bag by Zarah Juan @zarahjuan which for sure everyone will at the @maartefair

Zarah is part of the Great Women @greatwomenbrand and she also has her own designs. She will also be collaborating with Rhett Eala @rhetteala and the Ayala Museum @ayalamuseum this year. Sleepless nights that’s all worth it she says   #ZarahJuan #H2HDesigners #H2HPeople

Pretty and charming Kathy Sarabia Babst of @kathyandkathybespoke at the upcoming @maartefair

She has the most beautiful lockets and now featuring men’s accessories too. More power Kathy and Kathy ?? Save the date August 26-28 at 8 Rockwell Penthouse #WeAreMaArte #MaArteFair2016 #MaArteFair #H2HDesigners #H2HPeople

Beautiful  Jackie Caballero of Art of Gold @artofgoldinc

So happy to meet this lovely young lady Gabbie Sarenas @gabbiesarenasph

I saw her blouses made of piña and loved them instantly. She also does bespoke designs. The bonus is, She told me that one of her most treasured mentors is my cousin in law, Hindy @hindyweber  #GabbieSarenas #H2HDesigners #H2HPeople #MaArteFair2016

Pretty Jenny will be there with her artisanal pizza @pizzamorena

She started her first booth at the Balik Bukid fair by @hindyweber 3 years ago. She will also be launching her frozen gourmet pizzas at @maartefair #H2HPizza #gourmetpizza #artisanalpizza

Eric Paras @ericparas of A-11 @artelano11

First time MaArte exhibitor – Ken Samudio @kensamudio Truly beautiful products that are also works of art

Handprinted linens By Tara

MaArte Evolves!

MaArte, returns to Rockwell for the 8th season on August 26-28, this time at the 8 Rockwell Penthouse to showcase the best of the Filipino craft andartisanship. The annual fundraiser organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, has become the most prominent craft fair in the country after theCITEM international market organized by the Department of Trade and Industry. The goal of the Foundation is to raise funding to support the NationalMuseum, as well as making “export” quality products accessible to the retail market. Over 70 selected retailers  join  the  collective,  as  it  gears  to  bring unique  offerings  that  sometimes  are only available to the overseas buyer, or simply, have no venue to present their work.

The evolution of MaArte from its humble beginnings at the National Museum was funded by a grant for The Heritage Month Program headed by MitaRufino. The fair has grown into a bustling visual tapestry of the Filipino heritage. Each craftsman featured has a story to tell, and each item sold takes ontechniques that were passed on by generations from different parts of the country. What makes this program unique is that it is an ideal venue for the artisanto show their products to a discerning market.  The evolution of the product to meet today’s peripatetic lifestyle, and changes in taste keep it relevant. Everyparticipant has a passion for their work, and each piece captures the soul of the maker. Indeed, MaArte is more relevant now, more than ever, because itcaptures the soul of the Filipino artisan.

“We have been doing this for 8 years, and we have grown so much. Our challenge is to ‘Evolve the  Filipino  Craftsman.’  Over  the  past  years  that Rockwell  has  been  our  home,  we  have attracted a wider market of individuals who appreciate the indigenous work of the Filipino, for the modern lifestyle. Fabrics, baskets, jewelry, clothing, and a myriad of new accessories will be available to our buyers” emphatically notes Maritess Pineda, Museum FoundationPresident.

Starting the preholiday season shopping, guests come to the fair to see a new interpretation of classic Filipino craftsmanship. The steering committee,composed of Maritess Pineda, Armita Rufino, Cedie Vargas, Mel Francisco and Susie Quiros, is diligently choosing retailers to provide the ultimate program tokick off the buying season

Product development is key to this evolution. Working with internationally trained PJ Aranador, participants will have a feel of the international buyers marketand create products unique to MaArte.

“What sets this fair apart is that the sellers are flexible, and are willing to try new items. The buyers come because this isn’t just one of those bazaars; also,one shouldn’t miss out on the MaArte Finds, a special setting that shows up and coming designer and craftsmen looking to showcase their products. “We callthem our MaArte babies”, notes Pineda.

The iconic landmark at the Rockwell Center is the new home for MaArte. The penthouse and lobby of 8 Rockwell will house the event, with a special settingat the lobby that will feature thematic  product  displays  as  MaArte  Couture,  Eternal  Summer  and  Home.  These  special displays will highlight theflexibity of the artisans to work with designers to create a look that will be metropolitan, and usable, yet very Filipino. The committee has engaged EricParas, Carlo Tanseco and Rhett Eala, all MaArte supporters to create these displays.

Rockwell has also evolved as a stalwart of Filipino ingenuity and entrepreneurship, capturing Filipino  elements  in  their  developments.  The boutique community  concept,  either  in  their enclaves in Manila, and now in Cebu, are a testament to their commitment to serving the Filipino lifestyle, as wellas capturing its essence.

The Penthouse of 8 Rockwell, the pinnacle of the Rockwell Center, will provide the experience for unique interpretations of the Filipino soul. Indeed, it will be avery MaArte experience.

HAPPY STAR CHILD

Happy Star Child is a mother and son team, where now, 12-yr-old son creates the works of art, while             mom             curates             and             hand             paints             each             piece. Hinged on everyday experiences with Mother Earth, stories and books, art, music and poetry, icons and muses, connecting with people, and the sheer joy of embracing life to the fullest, sans gadgets.

Happy Star Child started in 2009, borne out of the desire to raise healthy, creative and loving children.

Happy Star Child (The Handmade Company) is an artistic collaboration between now, 12-year-old-young-artist Caxantino and hisTV-director-mom, Connie. Together they create handpainted funct+Art for the home and stylish Art+wear made by their hands,imagination and everyday experiences.

Contact Details: Connie Macatuno, conniemacatuno@yahoo.com

AKABA

AKABA is a lifestyle brand that promotes the use of indigenous, handwoven textiles from the Philippines. By connecting community-based artisans and thegrowing global market demand for handwoven, artisan products, AKABA seeks to empower underprivileged rural communities through sustainable livelihoodand equitable trade. Beyond stable income, healthcare and basic financial assistance for education are provided to our weaving partners all over the Philippines. Quality is at the core of our brand. Our products are cut, sewn and assembled meticulously, with a one attention to finishing touches such aszinc-alloy accessories and high quality fasteners.

Specialties

Manufacturing, Handwoven textiles, Social enterprise, Social entrepreneurship, Community development, Fashion accessories, Bags, knapsacks & backpacks

AKABA is a Filipino design and lifestyle brand that produces knapsacks and travel bags highlighting the beauty of different nativehand woven textiles from all over the Philippines.

Contact Details: EJ Mariano, ejmariano@akaba.comSilnag

Silnag, an Ilokano word meaning “rays of the sun”, signifies the hope and aspirations of grassroots artisans in the countryside.

Established in 2006, Silnag has been making and exporting ladies fashion jewelry made of natural materials such as horn, bone, shells, and scrap wood.From things almost thrown away, Silnag artisans recycle and skillfully turn them into bold, statement pieces which are refined and have an ethnic touch.

Silnag’s design inspiration is derived from the rich cultural heritage and unsullied wilderness of the Cordillera.

Silnag jewelry is exported to the US, UK, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Hongkong.  It is also available

at Rustan’s Makati, EDSA-Shangrila, Alabang Town Center, and Cebu.

The materials used are by-products of food and farm trade, so, no animals are harmed for the purpose of obtaining the said raw materials.  None of thematerials used are included in the prohibitive list of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species).

Silnag neckpieces are unique, statement jewelry made of organic/natural raw materials such as Philippine Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) horn, Cow (Bos indicus) bone, shells, scrap, so, no  animals  are  harmed for the purpose of obtaining the said materials.

Contact Details:  John Danao, john@silnag.comCornerstone Pottery Farm / Glazed Platter

For this year, EJ Espiritu will launch crystalline glazes for his wares. Crystalline glazes are magical. The process of creating crystal matrix on pottery are an “old school” technique which EJ hopes to revive and make handcrafted pottery a greater fashion statement for the home.

Eduardo G Espiritu, Jr.

Graduated from Adamson University with a BS degree in Ceramic Engineering.

He has worked for various companies in the Philippines (sanitary wares, refractory materials producer, and exporter) as a Sales Representative,Laboratory Technician, and Plant Manager.

In 1996, upon returning from the U.S., he and his wife started their business. As subcontractors. That company is Cornerstone Ceramic Manufacturing.

In 2001 be longer a subcontractor, EJ designed their own product line (stoneware pottery) and launched it at the National Trade Fair. It is his technicalbackground that helped the company sustain past the Asian crisis; at a time  when companies were closing operations. In 2005, cornerstone ceramicmoved to Silang, Cavite and became cornerstone pottery farm.

In 2008, EJ started teaching pottery classes. His creations are inspired by the natural surroundings at their farm. He enjoys developing his own glazeformulations and combines it with organic shapes and textures.

For 20 years, he has been producing and creating handcrafted pottery which showcase how science and art come together beautifully in stoneware pottery.

Contact Details: EJ and Eva Espiritu, evaespiritu@gmail.comMilvidas / Macrame Plant Hanger

Milvidas is a very small livelihood project that started 5 years ago. Maria Antonia CuUnjieng arrived from US and decided to do something different. Severalyears back, her family had established the Gawad Kalinga village in Multinational Village, Paranaque. Crochet was something that was easy to learn so theystarted a small group doing simple coasters and glass buggers with 6 people. That was in 2011.

In the past five years, their product line has expanded and now they have 16 ladies whom they meet weekly to provide materials, assign newwork and pick up their submissions for the week. It is an ideal set up because they do not need to leave their homes. They crochet in betweentheir chores and can continue to lend their families without any disruption.

Milvidas (meaning a thousand lives) is a brand that is sold through the family corporation, Menaggio Trading Inc. mostly in informal pop-ups and somechosen bazaars. They have opted to remain small and low key in order to keep a close watch on quality and consistency.

They make crocheted tableware with the bulk of sales coming from coasters, glass huggers, napkins and placemats and some table cloth. Last year, theyadded trays and tray liners and began to work with raffia for placemats. They also have some bags, a baby line of blankets, bibs and burp pads, as well asgorgeous poufs and pillows.

This Macramé Plant Hanger and bowl is from Patio line of Milvidas to be launched in MaArte. They come in fabulous colors, madeof imported all-cotton threads.

Contact Details: Maitoni Cuunjieng, milvidas2010@yahoo.com maitoni@yahoo.com

Micki Olaguer / Mine

“Mine” is an ode to the the Filipino gold miner, and evokes the processes and tools of small-scale gold mining in various regions inthe Philippines – focusing on the mine shaft, and the gold pan. Using custom hand-cut mother-of- pearl components, the collection challenges the use of  traditional natural materials in modern jewelry.

MICKI OLAGUER

Micki began her love affair with jewellery when as a child, she would hunt for fallen seed pearls from the corners of her mother’s bedroom floor and swallowthem, thinking they were candy. Being the daughter of a fine jeweler constantly exposed her to well-crafted jewelry from a young age.

She took up Industrial Design at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, where she graduated cum laude and garnered an award for BestThesis.

In pursuit of her dream of becoming a jewelry designer, she apprenticed under renowned Filipino   jeweler   Janina   Dizon.   She   later received   an  international   scholarship   from the Gemological Institute of America, where she specialized in colored stones. She is currently certified as a GIAAccredited Jewelry Professional.

Her curiosity for combining whimsical forms with mother-of-pearl led to her being awarded the top prize at the Red Box DesignCompetition under the Fashion Accessories category at Manila FAME 2015.

In 2016, along with three other designers, she represents the Philippines as an exhibitor at  London  Fashion  Week’s International  Fashion Showcase,  which  celebrates  up -and- coming designers from around the world.

Contact Details: Micki Olaguer, micki.olaguer@gmail.comGifts and Graces / T’boli Clutch

These  handwoven  clutches  are  made  from  premium  excess cotton fabrics by the mothers of Binan, Laguna and Sakadafarmers from Negros Occidental. These clutches are made even more special by the brass accent die-cast by the T’bolis of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

 GIFTS AND GRACES

Gifts and Graces, or G&G, is a fair trade certified non-stock, nonprofit organization that works with  craftsmen,  artisans,  and  micro-entrepreneurs  from marginalized groups  to  help  them improve their livelihood programs. G&G works in the areas of product development, market access, technical support onenterprise management, and advocacy of fair trade practices. Each purchase of a Gifts and Graces product supports our partner livelihood groups andartisans and helps them break free from the cycle of poverty.

Non-Government Organizations or NGOs and other organizations in direct service to marginalized groups set up livelihood programs to help give theirpartners a source of income that will help them provide for their basic and secondary needs. The challenges these groups face, however, are enormous asthey struggle with limited financial, technical, and human resources. This is where Gifts and Graces come in.

At Gifts and Graces, we believe in supporting non-profit organizations and livelihood communities   in   their   quest   to   pursue   entrepreneurship   as   a  means   to   overcome marginalization due to their economic status, background, or lack of education. We are committed to helping the poor earn additionalincome to meet their basic and secondary needs to achieve a dignified standard of living and become contributing, self-reliant members of society.ABOUTOUR PRODUCTS

The Gifts and Graces product collection is an eclectic collection of handcrafted products with a bohemian flair and a touch of luxe because each communityrepresents different skills. Our product categories are mainly in fashion and home accessories. We also work with clients on special, customized orders forwholesale, special events, and corporate gifts and giveaways.Aside from being great items, each Gifts and Graces product represents the desire andcommitment of the groups we work with to seek dignified alternative sources of income. When you buy from Gifts and Graces, you support marginalizedfamilies and individuals with their livelihood. The pride, self-esteem, and sense of purpose that comes with work empower them and help them become self-sufficient and contributing, productive members of society. A gift from Gifts and Graces is a gift that lifts the spirit.

Contact Details: Jennifer Ragalado, marketing@giftsandgraces.com

Green Babes / Guyabano Concentrate

Green Babes has an array of indulgent treats such as chocolate mallows, chocolate pretzels, ?avored marshmallows, chocolatechip cookies, and other snacks which kids and kids-­­at-­­heart totally love.

GREEN BABES

To make top quality gourmet food items available to everyone. That’s our Mission.

We  want  to  provide  people access to  affordable  organic and gourmet local  food  items  to promote the local food industry as well as health andwellness, even in our small way. Established in 2011, Green Babes is owned by longtime friends Bopeep Arroyo and Zerla Mayuga.

We believe that living a healthy lifestyle while enjoying the flavors of good food are aIainable as long as there’s a conscientious effort in putting the balancebetween the healthy and the indulgent.

Green Babes’s primary commodity is our organic eggs–fresh chicken eggs, salted duck eggs, and balut. We have a farm in Laguna where we get oureggs fresh everyday.

 Contact Details: greenbabesmnl@gmail.com

Pasty Armoire / Mocha Chocolate Chip Sticky Bun

Sweet buttery roll filled with chocolate butter, coated with coffee chocolate sticky sauce and topped with chocolate chips.

PASTRY ARMOIRE

A retailer and supplier of high quality pastries with an outlet in Paranaque and a commissary in Quezon City. Opened in BF Homes Branch last August 2015with the aim of being the preferred one stop gourmet dessert shop within the communityAside from its wide selection of pastries, Pastry Armoire is a distributor of Deep Dips by Chef Arnold and of Up in The Clouds Ice Cream.

Contact Details: Raymond Quisumbing, mypinkwasabi@gmail.com