By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Tahum Festival, a passion project of Assumption Iloilo Educational Foundation, Inc. has come a long way to promote locally made products in the region and in the country.
Now on its second year, the festival puts the spotlight on artisans who champion empowering local communities.
Over 90 artisans from Manila, Bohol, Cebu and provinces of Western Visayas exhibited their world-class products varying from arts and crafts, food, fashion, and home and lifestyle in the pop-up festival which opened on Friday at the Iloilo Convention Center.
Marjorie Florete, president of Assumption Iloilo Educational Foundation, Inc. said the festival brought together artisans who have advocacies and those who support local communities to work together for a meaningful cause.
“Tahum is a passion project with a deep sense of purpose. Tahum open its doors to premier pop-ups where artisans and patrons meet to celebrate our fondness for locals. Our exhibitors here they have their own advocacies and communities that they support. It’s part of our requirements as we pay homage also to local communities,” she said.
One of the exhibitors, Manila-based Creative Definitions had been supporting weavers from Negros Occidental and Dumaguete by helping them market their clothing and textile products.
“It’s a partnership. They do the weaving and we do the marketing. We buy back whatever they finish.” Banj Claparols owner of Creative Definitions shared.
By supplying the weavers with materials and assisting them with technical support, Claparols said they get a sense of fulfillment to see the communities develop and progress.
“We work with these communities and we make sure that they will have their fruit of their labor. We develop their capacities, guide them, give them technical direction. It’s very fulfilling to see these communities develop and we know it’s a big help for them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shey Reynaldo of Buttons and Things had been collaborating with local communities in Aklan to manufacture and design handcrafted jewelries and bags.
“One product is a collaboration of three to four communities. So, when you buy one you are also helping the communities,” she said.
After becoming a beneficiary of one of the projects of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Reynaldo said she wanted to give back to the community by helping the locals develop their skills and earn income.
“I train them. I design everything, and after that hindi lang exclusive for me. Tinuturuan ko rin sila na maging entrepreneur parang chain reaction. Natulungan din kami ng DTI and other government agencies so gusto din naming ibalik ang lahat ng natutunan namin,” she said.
Her fellow Akeanon, Juler Fernandez of JAF Handicraft and Piña Industry also shared the same advocacy as one of the exhibitors of Tahum.
Fernandez said his they have been going to communities to train people and help them develop products.
“My company is more on social entrepreneurship. We go to communities we train people so we do product development and we carry their products during fairs. We wanted go back to the community to help them have sustainable income,” he said.
Fernandez who specializes in designing and producing men and women apparels made of hand-woven fabric said he participated in Tahum to showcase the world-class produce of locals from Akan.
“This is not only about the experience, we usually join manila and international fairs basically it is to showcase what we produce in Aklan,” he said.
He also underscored the need for entrepreneurs and businessmen to also give back in the community in their own little ways.
“The company will not exist without these people in the community. The sustainable approach will end if you will not go back and help local communities,” he said.
The three-day pop up festival will run from February 21-23, 2020.
The net proceeds of the event will go to the AIEF’s scholarship program which handles scholarships for underprivileged but deserving students.
Last year, Florete said Tahum has gifted four scholars which received six-year scholarship at the Assumption.
“This year, we are hoping for more scholars who will be supported through their senior high school education,” she said.
Aside from providing education, Florete believes that Tahum will help local artists and artisans improve their products.
“We hope that that Tahum will not only awaken sang aton pagbakal and pagpromote sang local products but also we hope to inspire artists so that they can pull their resources together so that we can collaborate and improve their products,” she said.
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