The T'boli Craft of Brass Casting

Gifts and Graces is proud to be supporting the T'bolis of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. G&G Executive Director Greg Perez first met one of the tribe's leaders Nadeth Ofong at the Social Enterprise Management Training Program of Fundacion Codespa and University of Asia and the Pacific where she and Nadeth were fellow scholars.

We are happy to be part of the effort to share their story, contribute to their livelihood and share their heritage. Last month, Nadeth shared with us their special method of brass casting. While we don't divulge all the details here, we wanted to share part of the story behind the making of the T'boli's beautiful brass items.

1. Prepare the materials

• Yellow brass from scrap material sourced from junk shops
• Beeswax
• Charcoal
• Clay soil with rice hulls
• Cooking/melting pot

2. Prepare the beeswax by melting it, rolling it, and designing it. Note that this is where the intricate designs come in.

3. Prepare the mold by pounding the clay soil with rice hulls, covering the mold with this mixture, melting the wax, leaving the mold out to dry in the sun, and drying it over fire

4. Next, melt the brass in a traditional blower, pour the melted brass into the mold, then allow to cool in a water bath.

5. Break the mold and voila you have your brass bell!

6. Cut and clean the bells. The final stage is cleaning the bells with calamansi

Here are some of the beautiful items made from brass. A brass man, brass bells in regular design and man and women designs, the brass bell with beads from The Learning Center to make our bell charm, and brass pendants which we use with woven retaso for a special line of clutches

Not in the collage is a set of four brass napkin rings in an elegant T'nalak box, bangles, and jewelry made from braided cloth strips and a brass ring. But we can share these in another blog post. 

Here's a photo of Nadeth with her daughter Bon with Fernando Regalado and Jhun Jhun Gementiza of G&G and Mike Panghilason of Heidi's Crafts (weavers of the clutch in the photo) at our Partner's Dinner this year held at the Herald Suites.

Finally, here is a link to further reading on the T'bolis and a link to an online article on loqal.ph

http://lakesebuphilippines.blogspot.com/p/tiboli-tribe.html

http://loqal.ph/home-and-living/2010/08/09/t%E2%80%99boli-women-weave-history-culture-in-t%E2%80%99nalak-cloth/

If you'd like more information or you'd like to order and support this cause, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at info@giftsandgraces.com or marketing@giftsandgraces.com

G&G in Metro Society November Issue

This month, G&G is featured in Metro Society in an article aptly titled "Shopping for the Soul"

G&G Executive Director Greg Perez says "I think the time of thinking of only ourselves is up. We are now more responsible and accountable for each other. We can't just say 'I don't care if this (product) comes from a sweatshop.' That's not the way to live anymore. Being discerning consumers benefits all of us."

The article features great shots of our best-selling newspaper bags, T'boli bell charm, bags from the Retazo Collection made from scrap upholstery fabric, a black chest from Potrero, one of our retaso teddy bears, this one in fatigue-colored brocade, and a sneak preview of our elegant day-to-night necklaces made from scrap fabric embellished with an etched brass ring.

To read the full article, pick up a copy of Metro Society's November issue today. We're on page 225.

Millennials as Social Entrepreneurs

When it comes to millennials, we hear complaints about how hard they are to manage. This is in part due to the different circumstances they grew up in - the computer, internet, social networks, and many other things we didn't have just twenty, even ten years ago. Some of the things I've heard are that the millennial generation has a sense of entitlement, has no of abstraction, and is impatient.

As I prepared to talk to the fourth year high school students of Assumption San Lorenzo, I started thinking about the PEACE program and its goal of encouraging these young students to become social entrepreneurs.  I began to see that millenials and the negative traits attributed to them are the very traits that make millenials great social entrepreneurs.

1. Sense of Entitlement - Millenials recognize that the world can be a better place and that they are entitled to it. There are a lot of young people I know who care passionately about a cause - be it ending cruelty to animals or education or the environment. What's great about the youth is that they don't expect this better world to be handed to them on a silver platter; they understand that they have a role in creating the better world they feel entitled to. What's more, they work to get other people to care for what they care about because they believe that everyone should care.

2. No Sense of Abstraction - With different media bombarding their senses every minute, the abstract is spelled out. But this turns into a positive because the youth spring into action. They don't bother with motherhood statements - nationalism, feminism, environmentalism and yet remaining in the sidelines. The youth act on what they believe in by volunteering, by starting innovative programs, by donating.

3. Impatient - The youth want change and they want it now. I think this is admirable. I knew I wanted to work somehow in social development but I thought that I should be financially stable first before I did so. To see young entrepreneurs in high school and college putting their ideas and ideals into action now and not twenty years from now is cause for celebration.

The photos here were taken during the visit of the Assumption students to PAMANA Cooperative, our partner, and the G&G office. The exuberance and enthusiasm they displayed was contagious and uplifting.

As they enter Phase 2 of the PEACE program where they start to work on the product prototypes, I can't wait to see what their creative minds will come up with and I can't wait to see the impact it will have on the livelihood of our partners. Truly, these Assumption students are living their faith in action.

Cheers!

Greg

Students take a photo of our poster of the 10 Fair Trade Principles

Students pose with the G&G logo, G&G Project Officer Jeremy Callegher, and G&G Executive Director Ms. Greg Perez

P.S. I was inspired by the writing and thinking of Angela Maiers and Deb Mills-Scofield on the subject. Here are two great posts: Angela Maiers' An Open Letter to Millenials, and Deb Mills-Scofield's Benefits of Being a Young Entrepreneur.

Even the storm won't sweep the hope away

We will never forget this day, this day when Yolanda came to tear up the sky and the land of the Philippines, like a foretaste of apocalypse. They talked about it on TV, radio, Internet, forecasting the strongest typhoon that ever spinned over the Earth. Warned, we thought we were prepared. But, beside going to the place thought as the safest with your loved ones, there is nothing else you can really do when nature has decided. Losses are innumerable, screams shatter the silence of a new no man's land, the tears drop on the ground, eyes wide open facing the devastated landscape. The world is speechless, there are no words to express what happened.

However, mutism is of short lasting. Still stunned, the filipino people starts organizing reliefs operation. Individual initiatives, NGOs and corporates, from the piggy bank to the aid fund, the solidarity starts running. The international community sends funds, ships, manpower, goods, everything that is needed here.

Rich or poor, young and old, filipinos and foreigners, everybody give some of his time, goods, money, and prayers, and it's beautiful. But to better feel it, you have to experiment, be part of it, give a hand to those in needs there. I'm not writing this to show what I did, and I won't, because, compared to many people, I have the feeling I did almost nothing so far. But, in our small ways, even if it's one day, one hour, a couple of canned goods or a sack of rice, we are helping. And it's already a lot. There is no excuse such as « I don't have time or money, etc... ». There is always a way and I know that, each of us, would appreciate it if we were in their situation. When I see the people, in those hard times, I'm admiring, admiring of such a spirit. 

So it's time, dear readers and friends, it's time to stand up, time to put on an old shirt, good sneakers, and carry hope for our brothers in needs. There are moments in life you know you have something to do, something for the others, without back thoughts, something which is worth it, for your fellows, your country, and yourself.

MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!

Jeremy

Gifts and Graces in Philippine Crafts Section Robinson's Department Store Galleria

G&G handcrafted products are now available at the Philippine Crafts section on the ground floor of Robinson's Galleria Department Store. 

Whether buying a gift for yourself or someone you care about, make an impression with any of our products made by marginalized craftsmen and artisans from all over the country. 



 
We have reusable canvas bags, pillows made from scrap upholstery fabric, our best-selling brass bells and bell harms, and our unique newspaper bags.

Shown here are the mini bahay kubos made from directory pages by the women in CIW.

The original green house, the bahay kubo is a traditional Philippine house constructed with natural materials like banded nipa, cogon and bamboo. It is designed to adapt to the tropical climate of the country and is a triumph of human ingenuity and resourcefulness over the elements. Its name originated from the Filipino word, bahay and the Spanish word, cubo due to its cubic shape. It can still be found in rural and coastal areas. This replica made out of phonebook pages was made by women of CIW

 We also have small impulse items that make great tokens - coin purses and shoe key chains made from T'nalak, agate charms made by special needs individuals, bags made from junk food wrappers, lizard key chains, and coin purses made from woven scrap strips of cloth.





Visit our gondola every now and then to see what's new. These products are also available in Robinson's Ermita and Robinson's Magnolia Department Stores. 

For inquiries on bulk orders kindly email us at info@giftsandgraces.com or call +6327592525.

The Creation of Plaidette, the Assumption Heritage Bear

Plaidette

Last year, Gifts and Graces Board Director and Assumption Alum Marivic Limcaoco approached Gifts and Graces with a proposal for an interesting project - to make a special, heritage bear from gently used Assumption uniforms. 

We were immediately intrigued. G&G had made bears and other soft toys made from denim, upholstery, and other scrap fabric in the past but we could tell that this would be a special project because of the history and heritage of our material - the Assumption plaid skirt. 

 

Making this happen on the Assumption end were Grissel Gomez and Kat Querubin of Assumption San Lorenzo's Basic Education Division Family Council. Gifts and Graces on the other hand tapped Kaibhan Inc, a foundation who works with sewers in Bulacan who had lost their jobs. It took several meetings and prototypes to get Plaidette just right. Here's a photo collage showing the committee at work.

And here's the special tag that comes with every Plaidette to authenticate her.

Plaidette appeals to all Assumption students, whether grade school or high school, plus the alumnae here and abroad.

“Our Assumption values are embodied in Plaidette—reusing resources, providing livelihood, preserving heritage,” says Grissel. “I’m thrilled that she was launched during my last term as president of the Family Council because as an old girl and an Assumption mom, I am a strong believer in bringing honor to the red plaid.

Gifts and Graces is proud to be part of this project. Plaidette is a creative way to honor the Assumption uniform, impacting the environment, the livelihood of the women sewers, and the beneficiaries of the relief operations and medical missions conducted by the BED. 

 

To pledge for a Plaidette, call Regine at 813-6291 or 0917-539-1363.

For more information, please contact:

Grissel Gomez	Family Council President	0917-833-0530	Teachergee2002@yahoo.com
Kat Querubin	Committee Head CSI	0917-891-4540	katquerubin@yahoo.com
Greg Perez	Gifts and Graces	0917-851-2668	info@giftsandgraces.com

 

Searching for the Perfect Gift this Christmas? Fair Trade Gifts 2013

 

Searching for the perfect gift this Christmas? 

 
Buy Fair Trade gifts and help vote for a better world. 





In the Gifts and Graces 2013 Collection, you'll find something for everyone. These handcrafted products made by marginalized craftsmen and artisans from all over the Philippines make great gifts for family, friends, and colleagues. 

These also make great corporate giveaways for Directors, VIPs, and Senior Management. 

For personal and corporate gifts, ask us today how we can help you - from customizing products to packaging your gifts with a personalized tag. Email us at marketing@giftsandgraces.com or call 7592525.

Thanks for your support!

Woven placemats, brass napkin rings, T'nalak key chains add details to your home that speaks of your values.

Our bestselling bell charm made with a brass bell from the T'bolis and a beautiful bead charm by the students of The Learning Center, Inc. (TLC)

These fun items reflect the spirit of the Filipino. Includes jeeps, calesas, and trikes made out of wood, a fun turtle with bobbing head made from bao, and a collection of lovable lola dolls.

Green is the new black. These pillows are made from excess or reject upholstery materials. These eco bags make you look stylish as you shop green. (Bags subject to availability. Harina sailor bag by special order)

These products for the home make great conversation starters. Includes embroidered pillows, nesting baskets from Sorsogon, replica bahay kubos and Ifugao huts made out of directory pages.

Stylish and functional iPad sleeves and pouches woven from scrap fabric

We love this quirky collection for its vibrant colors. Placemats, coasters, and pot holders for your kitchen, monster luggage tags, one-of-a-kind coffee sleeves, and handmade paper journals brings fun to everyday activities.

Handmade paper cards from cogon grass in the new Cityscape Collection. Made by a women's cooperative in Quezon. Yummy scented cupcake candles made by a cooperative of former inmates

What does it take to be a social entrepreneur?

Recently, Gifts and Graces was invited to give a talk to 4th year Assumption students on social entrepreneurship in connection with their Political, Educational Advocacy and Community Extension (P.E.A.C.E.) Work Project launch. 

Part of the talk given by G&G Executive Director Greg Perez was on what it takes to be a social entrepreneur. Here we share a slightly tweaked version of the talk which can also be seen in a feature on G&G in Katha Magazine's 2nd online edition  http://bit.ly/katha-issue02

• Take time to reflect on the big questions: Where do your passions lie? What could you be the best at in the world? What makes you come alive? What value will you provide? The intersection of your Passion + Skill + Opportunity will ensure that you create value and you have fun while doing it

•  Show leadership - be bold, be brave, be innovative, have conviction, be authentic. Believe in yourself.

• Always be learning - ask for help, observe, be intellectually curious 

• Be emotionally, physically, mentally prepared to take on the challenges. You will have a world view that others don't get yet. Social development is a marathon. Take care of yourself, take time to breathe and pause and reconnect

• Build a network, be part of a network - it takes a village to solve today's complex problems. Social entrepreneurship is part of the solution, not the only solution

• Be generous with your knowledge and experience. 

• Never lose the power to empathize - that is what makes us human. The need to be part of the solution comes from a place of empathy - this is what will sustain you