Gifts That Continue Giving

CEBU, Philippines - This holiday season and all year round, give gifts that continue giving with unique items from the Entrepreneur Volunteer Assistance Charity Foundation (EVACF) which produces exquisite gift items whose proceeds all go to numerous programmes and activities aimed towards to holistic upliftment of Aeta communities in Zambales and Pampanga.

Signature products include fine handmade Mt. Pinatubo ash-glazed stoneware created by renowned ceramicist Lanelle Abueva-Fernando at her pottery studio in Antipolo. Gift ideas range from small items such as Pinatubo pumice stones in native handmade pouches start at P50 to sizeable decorative vases, coffee and tea sets, serving plates and trays. Unique multi-purpose hand-made paper thread cards from Bahi, Cebu are among the bestselling items exclusively produced for the foundation.

Items can be purchased in bulk all year round at wholesale prices. Upon advance notice, specially designed items can be personalized for corporate giveaways. For restaurants, ceramics can be designed to incorporate logos. All ceramics are lead-free, oven and microwave-safe.

Founder and president Jenny Wallum shares her mission and purpose of the 18-year old foundation, established right after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo: “EVACF aims to support the endangered Aeta people, displaced by the eruption of the volcano, to conserve their indigenous culture while sustainably developing a new foundation for their communities and families through building schools, livelihood projects, training and loan programs, educational scholarships and adult literacy initiatives.”

To date, in cooperation with local government and non-government units, over 40 schools have been put up; numerous Aeta students, mostly women, put through school; thousands of books donated; and zero-interest loans granted to indigenous peoples for various livelihood projects.

EVACF ceramics and other products are available at the foundation office at 17 Sabio Street, Ecology Village in Makati, Tesoro’s in Makati City (By appointment only. Call (63 2) 8172 621), Silahis Arts and Crafts in Intramuros, the Crescent Moon Café in Antipolo, the gift shoppe in the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong City, Butchie’s Recipes along Wilson Street, Greenhills, and the Holiday Inn Clark in Pampanga.  Call (63 2) 8172 621, email: [email protected] or visit www.evacf.org for more information on how to volunteer in the foundations endeavors.