“AN old slipper has been
floating around. A fisherman throws used rope out of a boat. Bottles break as
they crash against beach rocks and sea walls. On the coast of San Joaquin, a
woman picks up trash and crafts them into treasure.”
“Ripened by sunshine, rains,
and the fresh breeze of the mountains of Iloilo, woven out of a mother’s
struggles and hopes. May the wildness of nito vine and endemic seeds and the
intention of the maker touch you,” is how the Ilonggo team behind Alima
Community teases out their handcrafted jewelry, all handmade by women from
disadvantaged areas empowered through the social enterprise and immersive
outreach of multidisciplinary artist Marrz Capanang, writer and performance
poet Kristine Buenavista, and emerging painter Jonn Laserna.
The jewelry designs of Alima
Community are imagined and crafted personally by members of the endeavor’s local
communes, using sustainable elements and raw materials. For “Rofil”: wild vine,
endemic seeds and natural dye harvested from the forests of Barotac Viejo and
San Enrique; for “Kataw”: beach trash and sea debris collected along the coast
of Lawigan, San Joaquin.
“In a world of mass
production, machines, and manufacturing, we are going back to the unique art
made by hands. Every piece goes through a slow and intricate journey,” explains
Buenavista, adding that their name is derived from the Kinaray-a word for
“hand”. Each jewelry is handcrafted, so often no two pieces are alike.
Why not complete your outfit
with the shimmering “Walo walo” –named after the elusive sea snake (all designs
in the “Kataw” line are named after indigenous fishes and sea creatures) –
dangling earrings made from brass and shards of sea glass, designed by Lawigan
local Jen-jen Sargento; or Ging Meñeza’s “Pakol – Makalilingaw” could be more
to your liking, the piece crafted from discarded rubber slippers and plastic
rope can top off any Bohemian getup.
“Rofil” named after
40-year-old artisan Rofil Casipe from an aeta community in Barotac Viejo,
offers the eye-catching “Hakos” – a necklace made of puyas seeds, nito vine,
and brass – and the heart-shaped “Mabinatyagon,” from endemic vines and seeds
to statement piece.
“As our commitment to
empower, we immerse in the life of the village to observe the creative process
of our artists and to listen and experience their stories,” shares the Alima
Community team, adding that they often hold workshops and self-development
activities in the communes they are involved with. Also, the profits from every
purchase are fairly shared with the artists and the community.
“All three of us found a
deeper meaning in creating together; in unlearning that good art can be found
in studious, museums, and galleries. All three of us fell in love with the
essence of working closely with ordinary makers as they blossom into empowered
artists?” they concluded.
Your loved one’s wardrobe
could use some empowering jewelry, noh?
To see all the designs
offered by Alima Community, while helping a community in the process, check out
their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alimacommunity.ph and
www.alimacommunity.com.
