Fun Run for Fair Trade - TAKKKBO on June 1st, 2013

On June 1st, Gifts and Graces together with the Community Crafts Association of the Philippines (CCAP) and the World Fair Trade Organization Asia (WFTO-Asia) held its first fun run, to spread the word about fair trade and at the same time, celebrate CCAP's anniversary. Here is the story.

The run was entitled TAKKKBO. The three Ks stand Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kayamanan to embody the values of fair trade which are to care for the environment, take care of producers (including their health), and provide economic opportunities for poverty reduction to the disadvantaged.

The run took place at the Quezon Memorial Circle at the heart of Quezon City and a popular venue for fun runs, bazaars, and casual strollers on weekends, walking from a place to another, and occasionally stopping by one of those zumba activities, to dance on a mix of old disco songs, R&B and heated up Latino tunes.

On Saturday, June 1^st, it's D day. I was there at 4:30am together with a few other participants who started coming in one by one. I found myself thinking Lucky sun, it’s still sleeping. My two and a half hours of sleep and three cups of coffee won’t make it for the whole morning. Time to be tough Jeremy. “You’re doing it for a good cause, you’re doing it for your organization, and you’re doing it for Fair Trade. Think wider.”

Registration booth

Registration was onsite so more and more people started coming in. There was a slight glitch - the sound system was stuck in traffic so the program couldn't start yet. Legs started fidgeting, showing their willingness to move and run. Excitment and tension was mounting when, suddenly, a sound. For the first time, the noise and smell of an old van was like a blessing, a gift. The sound system had finally arrived. Hurry up, time to set it up.

The program started with a warm-up. The participants gathered before the stage where a coach started moving, jumping, etc., something between fitness and the ubiquitous zumba. The crowd followed, smiling and sweating. 

"Put your hands up in the air..."

"5am on a Saturday morning, so hard"

A few minutes later, the game is on, it's time to start running. The 5k participants will go first, followed a few minutes later by the 3K ones. Everybody is excited, the Gifts and Graces team is on the track. Marge, our in-house designer will run 5K and the rest of the team, 3K.

Marge is on the track. 5 more K to go!

Jo and Jhun Jhun, the new G&G running team

3… 2… 1… START! Time to go. Let’s proudly represent G&G and our advocacy. Also joining the fun run at the invitation of G&G were runners from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Globe Telecom. The run went around the circle where there were water stations every few meters. There was no feeling of competition in the air, just fellow runners of all ages, enjoying the fun run all together. Runners (and walkers) were sweating a bit, smiling a lot. After about 15 minutes, the first 3K runners arrived at the finish line, a big smile on their flushed faces. Everybody is now getting closer to the end.

The program continued with awards and prizes for the fastest runners with items from our partner organizations and from our sponsor Resorts World and WFTO Asia. The three first guys and girls from each category got their package. 

And the winner is...

Because running is not enough, let's dance guys!

After the “ceremony”, games were then organized to continue entertaining our guests to push their first fair trade experience further. So, participants gamely played "the longest fair trade"? Folks take a very deep breathe, you now have to start screaming your lungs out. Only one winner would be chosen. There is tension in the air. Who has better vocal cords than the Castafiore? Yelling very loudly, they are doing their best and ears of the assistance can feel it. One by one, they are out of breath and giving up. Finally, a winner! With the games over, it was time for the closing remarks, acknowledgements and congratulations. The crowd starts scattering, all moving towards the bazaar to get a well deserved breakfast before going back home and rest after such a fun and exciting activity.

We would like to thank all of you who made this event a success, and we hope to see you soon, in our stores, at our stands during bazaars or maybe at our next fun run. And most important: do not forget to spread the word about Fair trade.

More pictures are available here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.627725597255961.1073741831.434696616558861&type=1

and here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.627733413921846.1073741832.434696616558861&type=3

- Jeremy

What's new in Robinsons

Gifts & Graces is proud to announce our new retail location at Robinsons Place Manila located in Ermita.

You will find a large range of our products in the Philippine Crafts section located on Level 3 of the Robinsons Department Store.

Last night the G&G team went to the mall after hours to set up our area and design our product displays. We are very excited about this new retail venue as it will provide greater exposure for our communities' products. As 100% of our profits go back to continually enhance our workers' skills and make their efforts sustainable we have high hopes of impacting many more lives.

Available in store now are our iconic handpainted newspaper bags, Potrero collection, T'boli bell charms, Retaso collection, our new Bayawak keychains and many more items.

Robinsons Place Manila
Pedro Gil Street

Mall Hours Are
Sunday to Thursday 10:00am to 9:00pm
Friday to Saturday 10:00am to 10:00pm

More photos can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150209214469987.66415.23239344986&type=1

Handcrafted teddy bears you'll L♥VE

Teddy bears have been around for more than 100 years. We grow up with lovable bears in literature like Corduroy, Winnie the Pooh, and Paddington bear. I remember laughing out loud with my kids as I read Paddington's misadventures aloud to them. We have a teddy bear whom we fondly call General Bear because he commanded the rest of the stuffed toys. Being both wrestled and cuddled, General Bear was both a toy and a companion.

Of all the popular toys, the teddy bear has endured because it symbolizes love, friendship, and comfort. Teddy bears are probably the only toys that transcend childhood and become beloved to us even as adults. 


The Little Book of Traditional Bears chronicles the different teddy bears throughout the years. In the introduction, Paul and Rosemary Volpp tell us that Peter Bull came to be known as the "father" of the current teddy bear craze by saying "It's alright for grown-ups to like teddy bears." After saying that, he received letters "by the bucketful" from adults who loved teddy bears.  

Gifts and Graces is proud to contribute to the varied designs of teddy bears that have become beloved over the years, with our very own collection of retaso bears. The design of the bears are based on the classic plush design but the retaso gives it a modern appeal that's great for both kids and adults. 


These retaso bears as the name implies are made from upcycled materials and come in two design collections. The bears made from scrap denim each have a unique crochet scarf around its neck. The bears made from scrap upholstery material are artfully assembled from high end fabric that gives the bears a rich texture and contrast. As a result no two bears are exactly the same.

Both collections are beautifully hand-made with love by G&G's partner producers - persons with disabilities and urban poor mothers in Tondo. These bears help you support the art of these producers and you help care for the Earth at the same time.

Give these bears a home this Christmas. They are truly unique and wonderful gifts that lift the spirit that are sure to bring joy to your loved ones, not only this Christmas but all year round. 


Get them now at our Eastwood Mall aparador, the Ayala Museum Shop, the Edsa Shangri-la Lobby Shop, or at the Gifts and Graces office.

G&G September newsletter

G&G is now at the Ayala Museum Shop! We share the news in our September newsletter. Also read about featured community Hardin ng Kalikasan. View it in your browser here then subscribe to our newsletter to get it in your email monthly. Thanks for your support!

 

 

Retail Partner Recap: The Lobby Shop at Edsa

Do you know that Gifts & Graces products are available in your favorite retail stores? In fact if you are staying at the Edsa Shangri - la Hotel you can drop by The Lobby Shop and get some of our fair trade products.

Here they are on the shelf of The Lobby Shop:

G&G Products at The Lobby Shop are:

Retaso Stuffed Toys

boat bags

and our handpainted newspaper bags:

Get them while it hasn't been snatched up yet!

Shop Gifts and Graces from Shopnow@eyp!

Good news everyone!

You can now buy Gifts and Graces products without leaving your home or office. Click this link to buy our unique handmade products made with by our partner communities.

Gifts and Graces monogram notecards in Rustan's

Gifts and Graces in Rustan’s Gifts and Graces’ monogram notecards are now available at the different Rustan’s branches. The beautiful off-white cards are made out of handmade paper while the dark brown letters are made out of banana bark. The gold stitching on the card gives it an elegant look. The cards come with kraft envelopes and come in sets of 6. These notecards are proudly made by the women of Hardin ng Kalikasan, a women’s cooperative in Quezon. The monogram notecards are a throwback to a time before text messages, emails, and social networking. However, we believe that a handwritten note on a beautiful card, never goes out of style. Check out our cards and add them to your list of perfect gifts for the coming Christmas season. Erratum: We apologize to Ateneo Graduate School of Business Professor Mars Balgos for misspelling his name in the last newsletter.