MANILA, Philippines - How to craft a better life for others?
Tita Zamora and good friend Bing Blardony believe that “every bead is an answered prayer.” This is how they view the sourced materials of their intricately handcrafted bags, the sale of which will benefit the Lingap Children’s Development Center.
“Craft making is now at a higher level. After practicing beading and proceeding to designing, they have now elevated to giving,” says craft teacher Portia Leuterio of her students Tita and Bing, who first met Portia seven years ago.
“I’ve always liked working with my hands. For years, I’ve been making handmade cards,” explains Tita. After reading about the craft classes, she invited Bing, a longtime friend, to enroll with her. After learning how to make necklaces, bracelets, flowers, and eventually bags, the two women decided to use their creations in aiding abandoned and abused children through Lingap, a Cebu-based foundation.
Bing explains that she first met John Drake, founder of Lingap, in 2005. Being a foreigner, Drake was able to get a number of foreign donors to support his cause. “There were only about four Filipinos who helped fund them though,” Bing reveals. “We then felt that as Filipinos we should contribute, as this foundation was after all helping our young countrymen.” From there, the idea of selling their beaded bags was born. A few years back, they tested their venture and were more than satisfied with the results.
On Oct. 9, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., another rare sale of their bags will be held at the Penthouse of Nickel Asia Corp. Tower, Bonifacio Global City. One hundred percent of the profit will go to Lingap. Since each bag is handcrafted, each is unique and no two are alike. The collection will include Tita’s box-type bags with short handles, and her beautifully structured clutches. Many are made from bright colored acrylic beads in aqua, apple green, purple, yellow. Her current favorite material is wood, however.
“I now like working with wood,” she explains while lifting a creation made from black and brown wooden trinkets, accented with gold ornaments. The piece is classy, trendy, elegant, and whimsical all at the same time. Other bags are made of beads with Oriental patterns. Tita’s artisan ingenuity allows for the blending of these to create something with a western touch.
Portia, who has witnessed the creativity of many, still marvels at the talent of Tita. “She is truly an artist and she remains very humble, and very generous.”
Bing’s creations, on the other hand, work towards the sublimity of the classic. She focuses on neutrals like whites and grays to create bags that go with any color and are made for the woman who opts for simplicity in her choices. Standing out is an elegant piece with mother-of-pearl. The design has a European flair, yet is distinctly Filipino because of the materials used.
When asked the reason for this endeavor, Bing says she would like to increase awareness for Filipinos in need of help, particularly the children of Lingap. Tita says, “God gives us gifts, but these gifts are not free. We have to give something back while using the talents He has blessed us with.”