Date published: October 13, 2024
by TAGLAY PINOY
The Taglay Pinoy platform proudly highlights three outstanding Leyte-based cooperatives—Uswag Arejano Producers Cooperative, Santo Niño de Plaridel Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Lolo Bobby. These cooperatives showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to sustainable craftsmanship through their unique home, fashion, and lifestyle products. Each cooperative plays a vital role in preserving traditional weaving and promoting innovative craftsmanship while providing livelihood opportunities to local artisans.
Founded in October 2023, the Uswag Arejano Producers Cooperative was established through the efforts of Congresswoman Anna Victoria Veloso Tuazon, representing the 3rd District of Leyte. Her vision was to gather the region’s weavers under one cooperative, creating an avenue for them to continue their craft while sustaining their livelihoods. Weaving is considered a cultural heritage of the district, and the cooperative ensures that it thrives despite challenges like typhoons that disrupt production.
With 20 direct workers, the cooperative specializes in producing colored cornhusk earrings and fashion baskets, inspired by Leyte’s traditional weaving techniques. Their work not only reflects the cultural identity of the region but also helps keep these crafts alive for future generations.
The Santo Niño de Plaridel Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNPMPC) has a long-standing tradition in pandan weaving, tracing its roots back to 2001. Initially formed as a lending cooperative, the organization expanded in 2010 to incorporate local weavers, with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Today, the cooperative produces high-quality pandan woven products, sourcing raw materials sustainably from the Four Islands of Leyte—Apid, Mahaba, Himokilan, and Digjo.
SNPMPC is recognized for its Solihiya placemats, offering customers durable, high-quality home décor items. With 50 direct workers, the cooperative emphasizes sustainability and craftsmanship, ensuring that their products meet the demands of both local and global markets. Despite the challenges posed by typhoons, which impact the supply of pandan, the cooperative remains steadfast in preserving the weaving traditions of Leyte while uplifting the livelihoods of its artisans.
Founded by Renilda Kuizon, Lolo Bobby is a unique handicraft business named after Renilda’s children and grandfather. Renilda, a former LGU employee and OTOP coordinator, turned her passion for sustainable crafts into a thriving business. The brand specializes in fashion accessories and home décor items made from coconut shells and carabao horns, emphasizing a zero-waste approach to production.
With 8 direct workers and a commitment to providing livelihood opportunities for PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) and household mothers, Lolo Bobby is more than just a handicraft business—it’s a platform for social impact. Renilda’s products, which include necklaces, placemats, and napkin rings, showcase the beauty of natural materials while contributing to environmental sustainability. With the help of renowned Manila FAME designer PJ Aranador, Lolo Bobby has gained recognition as the only surviving coconut handicraft maker in Leyte, with each piece embodying the essence of Filipino creativity and resourcefulness.
Through the Taglay Pinoy platform, these Leyte-based cooperatives—Uswag Arejano Producers Cooperative, Santo Niño de Plaridel Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Lolo Bobby—have the opportunity to bring their cultural heritage and sustainable practices to a broader audience. Their dedication to preserving traditional weaving, supporting local artisans, and promoting zero-waste production reflects the strength and resilience of Filipino craftsmanship. Each product tells a story of tradition, innovation, and sustainability, showcasing the best of what Leyte has to offer to the world.
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