Ex Libris: From the G&G team's bookshelves

This month in our special feature Ex Libris, Latin for from the books, we once again peek into the bookshelves of the G&G team. This month, Greg and Aun share their recommendations:






On Strategy

What Every CEO Needs to Know About Nonmarket Strategy by David Bach & David Bruce Allen.  

I enjoyed reading this paper because the concept of nonmarket strategy extends the concept of Porter's Five Forces and says that leaders should take into consideration the political, social, and policy environments and create opportunities in them.  One of my favorite examples of non market

strategy is Toyota's steps to influence policy around the use of hybrid cars. They successfully lobbied for the passing of a law in California to allow hybrid cars to use the carpool lane even with only the driver in it. By looking at and shaping their nonmarket, Toyota was able to create an environment that boosted sales of the Prius. What nonmarket forces impact the competitive advantage of your enterprise? 

- Greg

On History 

At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson 

A fascinating look, through the lens of history, at the modern house and all the things we seem to fill them with. Bill Bryson books are a must for those who love to find out random facts about everything 

- Aun

Happy Reading!

Conversations

A Conversation with Ms. Sandy Romualdez

For our next batch of Conversations we bring you chat sessions between Lexi Schulze, Associate Features Editor of Metro Society and several of our board members. These interviews were conducted in line with Shopping for a Cause, Lexi's article about Gifts and Graces which came out in Metro Society's October 2011 issue. 

Here we're proud and happy to share with you the highlights of Lexi's chat with Sandy, G&G's Founder and President.

LS: Were you always into outreach growing up? 

SR: My school Assumption instilled in me a strong sense of social responsibility. We had many outreach programs and immersions The one that had a strong impact in my life was an immersion we had in Baguio....I experienced how a farmer lived. Although it was only for a week it opened my eyes to social realities in a faith experience.

LS: How did you get involved with Gifts and Graces?

SR: The idea of the foundation germinated when I was taking up my Masters in Development Management. I discovered that many foundation put up livelihood programs to help people out of poverty but have difficulty selling and marketing these goods to the public. This is where we thought Gifts and Graces could help.

LS: Why is the organization called Gifts and Graces?

SR: Mariles Gustilo , who's one of the most creative people...she and her team at Lowe helped us develop not only a name but also a branding identity for the foundation. We loved the name Gifts and Graces because it captures what we do in the foundation.... "with every gift purchased you share your graces with those in need

G&G in Metro Magazine October 2011 issue

The October 2011 issue was Metro Society's Advocacy Issue. Much of the issue was devoted to different advocates and their causes. We are proud to say that G&G was featured here twice!

On page 122, Associate Beauty Editor Marichelle Ligon and Photographer Tinee de Guzman wrote about Gifts and Graces and "a graceful partnership between entrepreneurs and local communities. . ." The article featured the different G&G products photographed in our showroom including modern Filipino foldable overnight bags with native woven cloth accents, picnic baskets made out of directory pages, stuffed toys made out of high end upholstery retaso and many more.

On page 151, Metro Society asks "If you could change the world. . ." and talks to people and corporations who, insteadof waiting for others to fix it, lend a hand and even help other change the world. This section features Gifts and Graces once more. This time Associate Features Editor Lexi Schulze and Photographer Pat Mateo captured the Gifts and Graces social entrepreneurs together with more G&G products - agate bag charms, luggage tags, and our very popular handpainted newspaper bags.

In line with this article, Lexi talked to different G&G board members. Read our other blog post featuring Lexi's conversation with Sandy Romualdez.

We'd like to give special thanks to Editor-in-Chief Raul Manzano who in his Editor's letter said

          "Gifts and Graces operates on a smaller scale (as PBSP), yet it is just as important. Established some five years ago to help poor communities. . .by producing crafts for the home, accessories, toys,. . .Gifts and Graces not only gives these communities steady income, but more importantly, a reason to hold their heads high and be proud, functioning members of society."

And this reflects how we feel about our partners as well, we are proud with how far they've come and we are happy to be part of their journey towards breaking the cycle of poverty.

Thanks again to Raul, Marichelle, Lexi, and the team at Metro Society for believing in Gifts and Graces and helping us promote our cause! Cheers!

A Christmas Message 

              Every year people ask - what is the true meaning of Christmas? How should we celebrate Christmas? Why has Christmas become so commercialized? We put up our Christmas trees and our Christmas lights, we rush from one Christmas party to the next, and of course we brave the crowds and the traffic to buy our Christmas gifts. At the end of it we're left breathless. At Gifts and Graces we see how frenzied gift buying can be and how frazzled one can get scrambling to complete the Christmas list. We are not immune ourselves. Having focused on fulfilling orders, we find ourselves rushing, preparing our own gifts at the last minute.

                And so we ask ourselves why? Why do we give gifts? Why are we compelled to do so? I think at the heart of it, beyond the pressure and the trappings and the expectations, the desire to give gifts springs from somewhere pure and joyful deep within us because more than 2000 years ago we received the very special gift of the child Jesus being born to walk among us, love us, and later save us. And so each year we honor and celebrate this gift with gifts of our own, both tangible and intangible, to our loved ones, to the stranger on the street, to the rest of humankind. Gift giving celebrates our humanity, our worthiness, and the good that is in all of us.

               At Gifts and Graces we hear stories all year round of how working on making a product has been a gift to others – the gift of tasting ice cream for the first time, the gift of having money to pay for a grandchild's tuition, the gift of discovering one's worth in honest work. This Christmas, we wish for you to give and receive gifts joyfully and humbly in the true spirit of this blessed season. And may you, all year round, receive gifts that truly lift the spirit.

               In January we wished you success in 2011. To close this year and welcome 2012 we leave you with St. Theresa's beautiful prayer.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you

are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite

possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing,

dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

                     In behalf of the Gifts and Graces Board of Directors and the G&G team, thank you for being with us this year. We look forward to growing with you and touching many more lives with you in 2012. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful, blessed, New Year! Cheers!

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                      Greg

                                                                          

Scented Soy Wax Melts on Twitpic

G&G makes last minute Christmas gifts preparations

These scented soy wax melts come in a boxed set of eight with a burner and one tea light candle. It's our latest product, developed especially to say thanks to our friends, donors, volunteers, and clients.

P495. Now in cinnamon scent. Can also be ordered (next year) in vanilla, lavender, or citronella