With its large mass of land bordered by mountains, Cagayan Valley boasts a rich agricultural economy. But more than crops, the northern Luzon region takes pride in its handicrafts made of natural materials and sustainable resources.
Manila Fame, the country’s premier lifestyle and design trade show, has been one of the main platforms where the small- and medium-scale enterprises of the region exhibits their products. Here are a few of the brands that have exhibited at the recently held 70th edition of the trade show.
4H Handicrafts
The Nueva Vizcaya-based brand creates home décor and kitchen accessories made of roots, twigs, driftwood pieces, molave wood, and even trunks of large fern plants—which produce a unique speckled pattern in the wooden décor.
Bibsisita
A favorite of Metro Manila bazaars, its pillowcases, bags, pouches, and wristlets are made in Alicia, Isabela, and are printed with the paintings of artist Bibsy Torio. The colorful works feature snippets of Filipino life, family, customs, and culture.
Clockwise Wood Crafts
The brand’s lamps, clocks, and other decorative accessories are made of scrap wood, trunks, and the discarded roots and twigs of fallen trees. The randomness of the material gives each piece a unique look.
Iraya Handicraft and Souvenirs
Based all the way in Kayhuvokan, Batanes, the brand doesn’t only sell the popular woven baskets, caps, and lighthouse-painted wicker bags from this northernmost province. It also sells stool covers that look like the hairy vakul palm-fiber headdresses worn by Ivatan indigenous people in the area.
Maddela Flowers and Crafts
The Quirino brand’s rose-like blooms are made from alibangbang (orchid tree or bauhinia) leaves. The leaves are dried and dyed in different colors to create realistic-looking flowers that transform into long-lasting home décor, wreaths, and even wedding bouquets.
Silya Home Furnishings
Also called Silya, Elektrika, Atbp., Silya was established in Nueva Vizcaya. Guillermo Peros and his family, who are building contractors, found themselves with a surplus of wood and metal scraps from demolished houses that would have otherwise gone to waste. He then put up a business selling whimsical and witty home accessories made of these upcycled scraps.
Sta. Praxedes Sarakat Women Weavers
The sleepy town of Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan mainly produces pandan plant, also called sarakat in the region, which is used in weaving. The Sarakat Movers, now called the Sarakat Women Weavers, was formed in 2006 to produce woven baskets and accessories made of pandan as part of the One Town One Product program of the Trade and Industry department.