Creativity and style in handicrafts from Naga City

I have great respect for entrepreneurs who, despite their life situation, doesn’t see these as hindrances but as challenges and then really make things happen. In the course of being in Naga City, upon the invitation of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO), two businesses were introduced to us bloggers: a young entrepreneur and a social development program that engages (mostly) women in the community. Both produce stylish products made from readily made materials or items that people doesn’t think much of.

Roxannie Joy Martinez-Simo is a young entrepreneur and together with her husband, has created stylish fashion accessories. But what makes their products interesting is the use of pili shells together with wires, threads, beads and other commonly available materials to come up with beautiful necklaces, earrings and other accessories.

The result? Intuitive fashion accessories that capitalizes on Bicol’s known product, the pili, mostly discarded shells and fashions these into intricate but beautiful items. It’s really a simple idea and with a little creativity, are works of art.

Tints and Tones Fashion Crafts
#32 Lerma St.,
Naga City
+63 947 8392201

The second enterprise is comprised of indigent folks from Barangay Tinago, mostly women. Conceptualized by the Barangay Captain when there was an infestation of water hyacinth, The Tinago Water Hyacinth handicraft Development Association gathers these plants and dries the stems. These are then processed to become beautiful handcrafted bags, boxes, and decors.

I love the texture of the water hyacinth stems and I do hope that they can find a way to make texture paper out of it that can be used in special applications or even as wallpaper.

Tinago Water Hyacinth Handicraft Development Association
Tinago Barangay Hall
Isarog Ave., Tinago
Naga City
+63 946 7373010
https://www.facebook.com/TIWHHADA/