Changing lives with scissors and combs

MANILA, Philippines - Long before corporate social responsibility (CSR) became a buzzword, Isang Gunting Isang Suklay (IGIS) livelihood program was already changing lives throughout the Philippines beginning in 1984.

Today, nearly three decades later, IGIS is proud to play the numbers game – having provided free standardized teaching modules in basic haircutting, and eventually livelihood, to more than 200,000 Filipinos — and counting.

In the last 27 years, housewives, out-of-school youth, house help, jobless parents, and even grandparents have trooped to schools, basketball courts, and barangay halls in the hopes of learning a lifelong skill and providing a better life for their families with just a comb and a pair of scissors.

Trained by industry professionals who take time off from their own salon businesses, IGIS beneficiaries turn these everyday household items into a source of income, giving them a new lease on life, and the promise of a brighter future.

“IGIS is really all about empowerment,” states maverick beauty expert, businessman, and civic worker Ricky Reyes, who spearheads the program. “Imagine, just with a comb and pair of scissors, they can earn at least P20 a haircut. If they work hard enough, they can put food on their table and uplift their state of life.”

No To Dole-Outs

IGIS is an initiative of the Filipino Hairdressers Cooperative (FilHair Coop), which was formed under Reyes’ leadership, initially to provide a home organization for hairdressers. Among its first projects was to give free haircuts to underprivileged communities.

“We realized that giving people haircuts was merely a dole-out, especially when the need for jobs was pressing,” says Ricky.  “We thought that if we could teach people how to give haircuts, then we could jumpstart some livelihood for the unemployed.”

Working closely with local governments, government and non-government organizations for the different sorties, IGIS has traversed as far north as Ilocos and as far south as Sulu in the last 27 years, training even the handicapped and those in rehabilitation centers.

This partnership with the government has raised some eyebrows. “People always ask me if I wasn’t afraid that IGIS was being used by politicians,” Reyes reveals.  “I tell them that we don’t really mind as long as we are able to reach out. If 3,000 people in one province were trained in haircutting because a politician allowed IGIS seminars, then 3,000 people would potentially have a source of livelihood, then that is okay with us.’

The classes cover various components of haircutting, including proper caping, hygiene, hair sectioning, winding, cutting, and even perming. The classes are both theoretical and practical where students are strictly graded and evaluated before they can move on to the next module and before they are awarded an IGIS certificate, a badge of honor in the local hairdressing industry.

Depending on the number of participants and the location, the training could go for as long six weeks to as short as one week. Participants are also given free starter kits containing scissors, curlers, cape and comb, so they can start their new ‘’careers’’ right after training.

The Business Of Salons

IGIS participants also learn the business side of running a salon — from financial and human resources management, to investing in equipment and magazines.     

“Livelihood training encourages friendly neighborhood salons to open up, evidence of how IGIS promotes microenterprising,” Ricky notes. “Some hairdressers even imitate me, and personally I don’t mind. I myself started with just a comb and a pair of scissors, and I am glad I am inspiring people to work hard to earn their living.”

Ricky is touched by how IGIS has changed the lives of many people. Once, passing by a parlor in Dapitan, he was caught by surprise when the hairdresser stopped in the middle of a haircut, started shrieking, and ran outside.

“He returned with some bread from the bakery and a soft drink in plastic bag, with tears streaming down his face,” Ricky recalls.  “He gave me a big hug and told me he was an IGIS graduate. And there, in the corner of his salon, was a framed photo of us together on his graduation.”

Seeing IGIS graduates put up their own parlor, or going abroad, or becoming professionals themselves bring so much fulfillment to Reyes and the IGIS trainers.

“It’s gratifying to be able to help people, and we hope to continue IGIS for the years to come,” Reyes asserts. “Through the decades, more and more Filipinos have embraced IGIS, and the program continues to grow and give birth to hundreds of microenterprises.”