Village stores showcase community products

MANILA, Philippines - ECHOstore sustainable lifestyle and the Village Store of the Peace and Equity Foundation-supported PACCI, Inc. recently opened the ECHOVILLAGEstore, a hybrid community products exchange store where products made by PACCI communities are displayed alongside ECHOstore’s popular natural, organic and community-based artisanal crafts and food items. 

“We plan to put ECHOVILLAGEstores   around the country specifically where our communities have properties that can also be storefronts for our artisanal products,” says Marietta Paragas, PACCI chair. The PACCI commissioned ECHOstore’s management to help them transform their retail locations in Davao, Palawan, Albay, General Santos City and Baguio into the hybrid ECHOVILLAGEstores. “Some locations will have a cafe as part of the concept,” shares Jeannie Javelosa, ECHOstore founder and director. “I have no less than Reena Francisco, restaurant and café designer, and Chit Juan, coffee advocate and marketing specialist, with me on the ECHOstore team,” Javelosa continues. 

ECHOVILLAGEstore in Quezon City is the pocket size version of the partnership’s new baby. The other locations will be bigger in size, especially in areas which are tourist destinations. The store sells ECHOstore products alongside Baguio’s Good Shepherd jams, Tugdaan jellies and juices from the Mangyans in Mindoro, and fruit products from Negros MUAD group. There are also hand-woven towels and blankets from the Cordillera Goldfield weavers, rainmakers from Palawan’s coops, and bangles and bags from the Bajau Samal group from Mindanao.

Located on Esteban Abada St. in Loyola Heights, the ECHOVILLAGEstore is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. Stop by and learn more about marginalized communities from around the country as they bring their best skills and artistry into their products.