Through candle-making, “Himo” hopes to share nuggets of our culture that people can pick up and wear like a badge to keep our Filipino identity alive, according to its creator.
Himo is a Waray word that means to create. It aims to “redefine the value of the dialect and the entire Visayan culture by elevating it into a status symbol where one is deemed ‘cool’ for being able to speak and understand this special and colorful vernacular
MANY femmepreneurs have chosen to dabble in candle-making as a pandemic business concept. Candle shops online have popped here and there throughout the past year. One of those shops is Himo.
Himo is a Visayan-born business established by make-up artist Chuchie Ledesma.
Ledesma claims that all the candles she produces and creates are sustainable and made with love.
She started the business because most of her sources of income had run dry during the pandemic. It was not easy for her to transition. She had felt every ounce of anxiety, stress, and panic about how she will be able to sustain a living.
She was really stressed one day and on the verge of breaking down that she thought of lighting a candle.
“I nicked my sister’s candle and lit it. With the scent filling the air and the flickering of the candle light. Bit by bit, my mind regained its focus and my body started to calm down. I was able to work peacefully and eventually made it to my deadline.”
She was one of the many people who turned to aromatherapy to soothe their mental stress.
Then the business idea for Himo popped into her mind.
Himo is a Waray word that means “to create”.
It aims to “redefine the value of the dialect and the entire Visayan culture by elevating it into a status symbol where one is deemed ‘cool’ for being able to speak and understand this special and colorful vernacular,” says Chuchie.
Scents include Tari-Ti which means “ambon” or light rain; Suna that means “sinag ng araw” or sunshine; Higugma means “pagmamahal” or love; Alayon which means “paki” or please; and Gapas which means “bulak” or cotton.
What is extra special about Himo’s candles is the packaging. The cement pots are thoughtfully made and designed.
The idea was to upcycle it into plant pots once the candle is used up. Then each candle is wrapped in Binagol, a Tacloan delicacy made of steamed gabi and a sweet filling, and bamboo honeycomb wrap.
“Just like stories, I want my creations to continue on living even after its purpose has been fulfilled. It’s also my way of making this planet a little less chaotic and cluttered.”
Empowering culture is, indeed, a noble profession to do.
“Through products that inspire positivity, Himo hopes to share nuggets of our culture that people can pick up and wear like a badge to keep our Filipino identity alive,” she says.
(EFO)
Tags: #candlemaking, #HimoCandles, #sustainability