BAG OF HOPE
Merchandizing Handwoven Products of the Lumad Mamanwa
Background and Rationale:
People nowadays are into great fashion and aesthetics. As such, famous bags like Givenchy, Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and etc. are popular in the market in response to the existing renowned generational trend and luxury. According to the Handbagholic blogsite posted in May 2022, the cheapest Louis Vuitton brand bag is the "Pochette Chain mini Mylockme" amounting to £920 which has an equivalent of 55,300 in Philippine peso. Imagine how pricy the cheapest bag in the mentioned brand is. That price can sufficiently sustain the cost of living of a family in the Philippines for a month. Moreover, according to Joshua Project, there are a total of 9,900 Mamanwa Nationwide. But this numbers are now dynamically changing. On a journal entitled "Socio Cultural Views of the Mamanwas of Tandag", it says that "the Mamanwas are able to preserve the rich cultural tradition and they have been called by most ethnographers and local historians as peace loving community for they viewed nature not only as a form of utility but also sacred. Thus, making them stewards of the community's environmental resources". On a recent post by Mr. Lope Papelleras, he highlighted a tangible yet simple local market of Lumad Mamanwa of Pililihan, Mahanub, Gigaquit Surigao Del Norte. Furthermore, the post displays a lady modelling her handwoven backpack and sling bag made from Abaca Fiber. This made me curious. I then had an envisage that this affordable and environmentally sound local product may work as well in my locality prioritizing the upskilling or reskilling of our local Lumad Mamanwas. In the locality of Brgy. Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur, I can see and observe how the Lumad Mamanwas socialize with the community and their quality of life is unfortunate. That is why I envision this Bag of Hope a Social Enterprise merchandizing to benefit my local Lumad Mamanwas as they traditionally practice their culture cum earn profit to sustain their daily living.
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| Photo credits to: Mr. Lope Papelleras |
Background Description of the Product:
The Product is made out of Abaca Fiber. Bags and other style of bags are made out of the mentioned raw material. The color shade of brown designs differs on the duration of time as it is soak or exposed in the sun creating different shades of brown. The color of the product is reflected on the processed material and in line with the emerging generational trend called "istitik or aesthetic" accentuating the earthly colors. Most importantly, the product is handwoven or handmade by our very own Lumad Mamanwas.
Additionally, the product are affordable. I plan to make the prices affordable for the public. The expected amount per bag is 200 pesos. All these earned profit will directly be given to the Lumad Mamanwas. The products are projected to be displayed in local markets and given spotlight in socio-cultural activities and events of the barangay and the town. It could also be promoted through Social Media and etc.
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| Photo credits to: Google.com |
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| Photo credits to: Daily Tribune |
Benefits to Stakeholders:
Generally, this social enterprise is beneficial to the Lumad Mamanwas of Brgy. Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur. Through the enterprise, it is by then they will earn money in the most safe and easiest way possible. They are making bags our of their traditional values towards the nature/environment. This is something that benefits them in both aspect, uplifting their economic status through profit gain and re-instilling of cultural values and creativity by making bags that are environmentally sound and clean. This vision would help as well the Local Government Unit to uplift the living conditions of the tribe by enhancing the planned enterprise through financial support. Furthermore, this context would benefit the general public by reminding everyone that it is high time already to support our local products and our local sellers. More specifically:
1. Consumers- divert their nationalistic attention to #support local products. The product would benefit them in a new array. They will be educated of our nation's culture and creativity;
2. Community- The product will inspire other communities and groups to make innovations in their own social enterprises resolving the pressing issues we have with our Indigenous People/Groups; and,
3. Producers- Producers as is the Mamanwa Individuals, they will be benefited in a way that this will become an avenue for them to earn profit but most importantly it will re-instill their renowned traditional and cultural values as Lumad of the Philippines.
Value Proposition:
BAG OF HOPE. By just purchasing a bag, you are torching a hope.
A purchase of an environmentally sound and clean Bag can benefit our beloved Lumad Mamanwas of Brgy. Adlay. In short, you are not just going with the loops of the trend "istitik or aesthetic", you are as well contributing so much for the livelihood of our Lumad. So make a purchase, if not NOW, then WHEN?
