The Leon Pasalubong Center in Iloilo is ensuring that local crafters will still have their livelihood amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
They caught the public’s eye with their hand-painted rattan bags, baskets, pouches, and purses.
ILOILO- DETERMINED to find ways on how she can help her province mates whose livelihoods were badly affected by the pandemic, Alma Capilastique who runs the Leon Pasalubong Center, has decided to partner up with local artisans to produce handicrafts that promote Ilonggo culture.
The center is located in Leon town, about 35 kilometers away from tourist hub Iloilo City.One of Leon’s main tourist draws is the highland destination called Bucari that boasts of lots of pine trees, cold springs, and waterfalls.
Because the pandemic called for a nationwide halt on the tourism industry, local residents lost a major source of their livelihood.
The farmers in the area weren’t able to sell fresh produce as much as during the pre-pandemic days.
This prompted Alma to gather all farmers, producers, and crafters she could find and employed them in her business. They started selling farm products and handicrafts.
Later on, when restrictions were eased, they started participating in trade fairs and bazaars.
They caught the public’s eye with their hand-painted rattan bags, baskets, pouches, and purses. From here, their business boomed.
“Buying products from them directly translates to food on their plate,” Alma says.
“Buying local is as good as supporting our folks. We’re uplifting our own communities. We used to take them for granted, but now that they’re most accessible to us, we’ve come to realize their true value, the real beauty of local products we have overlooked.”
Support for Iloilo’s local artisans is worldwide. Due to the recognition that the brand of Leon Pasalubong Center has been getting, people from the US, Canada, and Australia have been ordering.
These artisans that Alma gathered are now leveling up their livelihood, and they deserve all the good things that the business’ opportunities may bring to them. (EFO)
Tags: #cultureandarts, #LeonPasalubongCenter, #Ilonggoculture, #sustainability