The dream weavers of Eastern Visayas

Mention Leyte and Samar and immediately, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the San Juanico Bridge come to mind. Also, tidal waves, typhoons and rampaging floods. Yes, Samar and Leyte, and the rest of Region 8 group of Eastern Visayas provinces that also include Biliran are, unfortunately, identified with nature’s fury. Better known as economically disadvantaged localities.

Architect and designer Reimon Gutierrez, Partner Region 8 Program (PRP) exhibit curator of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) – who organized the F.A.M.E. International show discovered otherwise. PRP, one of MFi’s programs that supports and promotes low-income but promising local producers in different provinces involves "adopting" a region whose non-government organizations (NGOs) and small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have proven production and manufacturing capability of furniture and houseware, jewelry and fashion accessories, and Christmas ornaments and other holiday décor.

In Reimon’s four-months of consultancy work in Eastern Visayas, he learned that the hardships encountered by the Warays made them stronger; that various challenges they faced made them brawny and tenacious, firm in their resolve to withstand catastrophes as well as scarcity; and that Visayans are a resourceful and indefatigable people.

These were not the only traits that make Eastern Visayans different. As their landscape is dominated by rugged terrain, so is it blessed with kind, warm-hearted and peace-loving people. Gutierrez also uncovered the Visayans’ flair for the natural. But, most importantly, he learned of their creativity and willingness to learn.

"My merchandise consultancy work with different local producers of Region 8 gave me a sense of fulfillment," reveals Gutierrez. "It is a psychic reward gleaned from helping people discover their creative potential and, in the process, improve their livelihood. Sharing my expertise in product design and development is my way of empowering them," enthuses this selfless artist who has worked with MFi’s program since 1999 when he first handled the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) the following year.

Reimon discovered that Region 8 is one of the country’s richest areas, in terms of its human and natural resources. The wealth of natural materials available – from abaca to buri; from coconut to rattan and tikog; from guinit to pandan, pawa, and seagrass, among others – convey a-thousand-and-one ideas for product development.

It is also in Region 8 that he found the finest handcrafted products lovingly woven by its native folk. The mats, made from a kind of seagrass called tikog, can be fashioned into bags, lamps, pillowcases and hats. Coco coir can be made into plant holders, fruit bowls and bags. All in all, the unique textures of the province’s natural materials render distinct character and refinement to Reimon’s designs, making them totally appealing to the global market.

With these inspirations, Reimon continues working with the Partner Region Program for the MFi-October 2002 show, to present once more the wonderful handiwork of Eastern Visayans’ creatively skilled artisans.