I will start the season of gift giving by listing down some great and generally affordable ideas I came across at Caritas Manila’s Buy & Give Expo 2. Caritas Margins, the social enterprise program of Caritas Manila, spearheaded the Buy & Give Expo at Glorietta 4 Activity Center from November 28 to 30, 2014.
On the last day of the Expo, the area was teeming with colorful merchandise that was a feast to the eyes and mouth. The items for sale (and most of them were on sale) are well-made, produced with great attention to detail and the edible ones that I bought are yummy. More importantly, the products offer interesting stories that will touch the coldest of hearts because they are lovingly crafted by the marginalized members of our society – the indigenous people, the urban poor, the otherwise unemployed women and the inmates of the National Bilibid Prison.
Native bags that look exactly like the ones the models used in the Pasarela de Moda fashion show (more on this on my next entry)
Beaded bags made by the urban poor partners of Caritas Manila through its Livelihood Program. These bags augment the income of underprivileged families. Each bag costs around P1200 (US $26.79)
Rosary beads (left) and knotted rosary (right). The inmates of the National Bilibid Prison make the knotted rosaries. Knotted rosary, P150 (US $3.35)
Curtains made of coconuts. Ate Terry is an indigenous person from Guimaras, a picturesque island in the Visayas. She made the curtains, which took her five days to finish. They cost P1500 (US $33.49)
Artworks made by inmates of the New Bilibid Prison. Through the RJ (Restorative Justice) Prison Ministry, inmates are taught by nuns to express themselves using art materials. The proceeds from the artworks go to the families of the prisoners so they can still support their loved ones while incarcerated.
Liquid hand soap, body soap and dishwashing liquid all made by the Caritas Youth Servant Leaders and their partners
Polvoron, a box of 20 pieces costs P140 (US $3.14). The ones wrapped in red are chocolate-flavored polvoron while the ones in green are pinipig.
Resin Jesus Christ image, original cost was P400 (US $8.93) but it was on sale and I got it for P300 (US $6.70)
Chris Tiu, Caritas Manila’s Youth Ambassador, donated some of this stuff to Segunda Mana. Local movie and TV personalities and other celebrities also donated their things for charity.
If you are not done with your Christmas shopping yet, I am urging you to buy from Caritas Margins. You can contact Mr. Salvador “Buddy” Arcangel VIII, the Program Manager of Caritas Margins, through caritasmargins@yahoo.com.ph for inquiries, or visit their website at www.margins.com.ph. As their flyers say, “buying is the new way of giving” and giving will always make you feel better. 🙂
Mr. Arcangel shared that Caritas Manila will be opening a store in Iloilo in time for Dinagyang 2015.
For more information about Caritas Manila and Caritas Margins, please visit http://caritas.org.ph/
Ares, salamat gid! 🙂
I posted this entry on my fb wall in case some friends would be interested. 🙂