It’s really almost a cliché to give love on Christmas day, wouldn’t it be great to give hope, dignity, livelihood, and quality of life, too? Instead of buying and giving superfluous gifts this Christmas, step out of your commercially conditioned haze and get some life-sustaining and hope giving presents. You won’t just make your recipients happy — you’ll change people’s lives. Now that’s a real gift.
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What: Husay Pinay woven paper bags
Beneficiaries/partners: Urban poor women of Quezon City
Cost: Medium sized bag, P200 to P250
Where: husaypinay@gmail.com
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What: Z.E.N. body care and home products
Beneficiaries/partners: Poor farmers and workers in the coconut industry and urban indigents
Cost: Pillow mist, P150; massage oil, P160 to P260, gingerol cream, P150; shea butter sunblock, P85, body butter, P150; Hush lavender ointment, P130, pain relief ointment, P75
Where: Echo Store, G/F Serendra
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What: Luntian Bags eco-friendly totes
Beneficiaries/partners: Livelihood program of residents in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas
Cost: Small bag, P130; big bag, P150
Where: luntianbags.wordpress.com
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What: Learning Center, Inc. key chains and charms
Beneficiaries/partners: Former street children, urban poor women, indigenous people
Cost: P80 and P120
Where: Echo Store,
G/F Serendra
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What: Brown Label recycled paper calendar and
other paper products
Beneficiaries/partners: Disadvantaged children
Cost: 2009 calendar, P290
Where: Echo Store,
G/F Serendra
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What: Gawad Kalinga frames and candles
Beneficiaries/partners: Gawad Kalinga residents
Cost: Small candle, P130; Holy Family candle, P150; big house candle, P275; picture frame, P300
Where: Echo Store, G/F Serendra; www.gawadkalinga.org
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What: Echo Store Kape Isla coffe
Beneficiaries/partners: Small farmer communities in Sultan Kudarat
Cost: P175
per bag
Where: Kape Isla and Echo Store, G/F Serendra
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What: Wild Organics body care products (soaps, lotions, oil, etc)
Beneficiaries/partners: Tagbanua people from Palawan
Cost: Botanical oil, P250; insect repellant, P255; soap, P175
Where: Echo Store, Serendra; www.wildorganics.multiply.com
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What: Filipina Fair Trade Ventures candle holders and other home decors/products
Beneficiaries/partners: Excluded and disadvantaged local producers
Cost: Woven paper candle holders, P160 each
Where: Echo Store, www.fftv.ph
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What: Messy Bessy personal care and home care/cleaning products
Beneficiaries/partners: Virlanie Foundation, Delancey Street Foundation
Cost: Handwash, P195; hand sanitizer, P100; linen spray, P265; surface cleaner, P220
Where: Echo Store; www.messybessy.com
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What: Rags to Riches woven bags, clutches, yoga mat holders, and eyeglass cases made from scrap fabrics
Beneficiaries/partners: Women of Payatas
Cost: Small light gray bag, P290; big dark gray bag, P485
Where: Echo Store, G/F Serendra; House of Laurel, Makati, tel. 895-5688; www.slb.ph/r2r/riir/index.html
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For comments or suggestions, e-mail me at donna.cunapita@gmail.com.