Meet the Local Crafters of This Negros-Based Design Company

(SPOT.ph) The fabled sugarcane fields of Negros Occidental are as lovely in real life as they are on postcards, in photos, or travel brochures—sprawling lands dotted with swaying sugarcane plants that stretch to as far as the eye can see. But the fields aren’t always verdant and abundant, nor is life at the haciendas always sweet and idyllic.

There is what is called tiempo muerto or dead season, a post-harvest lull, with sugarcane taking anywhere between 10 to 12 months to grow. It is also a time when farmers are left with nothing to do, leaving many of them in dire situations amid a no-work, no-pay set-up.

Tiempo muerto, coupled with the sugar industry crisis in the 1980s, led the husband-and-wife tandem of Joey and Christina "Ina" Gaston to establish Hacienda Crafts, an “envirosocial” design company which has been helping provide a second source of income for sugarcane farmers since 1994. 

Hacienda Crafts: Bringing Life During Tiempo Muerto

Joey and Ina live in Hacienda Santa Rosalia, a sugarcane plantation in Manapla, Negros Occidental that is home to about 200 families with members mainly employed in the agriculture sector.

In an interview with SPOT.ph, Ina shared that Hacienda Crafts’ initial objective was to fill the gap during tiempo muerto, particularly by tapping into the export market because "the volume is there," and they could help more people if there are volume orders.  

When asked how many families have already been helped by Hacienda Crafts through its 29-year history, she said they do not have an exact number. "We count people along our sourcing supply chain—materials, delivery, contractors, etc., manufacturing—weavers, carpenters, welders etc., and delivery value chain, including forwarders, box makers, logistics [among those] we have 'helped'," she explained.

During Hacienda Crafts’ close to three decades of operations, many families have also been able to send their kids to college, purchase appliances, and build homes. Their work with the company added to their family income. 

"The intangible impact is [enhancing] their pride, self-confidence, dignity, personal income, [giving them] ability to share in decision-making, and empowering them. These are what the livelihood project has been able to provide," Ina added. 

Lives Uplifted, Dreams Fulfilled

Currently, Hacienda Crafts has about 150 artisans—40 from the Gastons’ Hacienda Santa Rosalia and about a hundred from other haciendas; up to 95% of its total workforce are women. And over the years, it has helped uplift hundreds—even thousands—of lives.

The family of Renato “Telong” and Cecil Tolentino are among those whose fortunes have changed for the better since joining Hacienda Crafts. Ina shared that Cecil and Telong are among their first weavers.

"They have two kids, and with their first pay, they were able to bring their family to Jollibee! That was such a thrill for them and something they were longing to afford. With the extra disposable income, their dream to go to Jollibee came true," she recounts, a wistful look on her face.

Eventually, Cecil and Telong were able to save up to buy a sala set for their house and open a sari-sari store. By working with Hacienda Crafts, they were able to send both their kids to and through college.  

"Today, they no longer weave, but their children have comfortable jobs as OFWs and are able to help their parents in turn," Ina added with a tinge of pride.

Dolores Portillano is also one of Hacienda Crafts’ pioneering weavers.

"She is a great-grandmother now but still weaves because she continues to earn well from it.  As her family grew, so did her needs. Eventually, her daughter and granddaughter also participated," Ina shared.

As a community-based manufacturer, Ina—also the company’s principal creative director—explained that the ladies work from home and at their own pace, minimizing disruptions in their family life.

A more recent success story is that of Vinjeziel Toquero, one of the women from Barangay Celestino Villacin who has recently become part of Hacienda Crafts’ circle of artisans. "This community is still being developed as a potential supplier base targeting the export market," Ina said. 

Ina narrated that Toquero shows great interest and creativity in learning and honing her crafting skills. "I personally encourage the artisans to develop their own language of craft. And she was able to make tapestries using cogon grass and abaca fiber that grows in the area."

Ina said that Vinjeziel was able to find her voice in her craft, allowing her to return home from working in Manila and back to her family with a renewed hope that she would be able to meet their financial needs through her artworks. "She now receives orders for her work based on the exposure her collaboration with Hacienda Crafts has produced."

Championing Local, Sustainable Materials

Ina has already made a name in the local and international arts and crafts scene for her innovative designs and impeccable craftsmanship, highlighting sustainable and indigenous materials. 

"We use abundant sustainable natural materials that in themselves provide livelihood for those that supply Hacienda Crafts," she explained. 

For instance, they use coconut twigs that regenerate every three to four months. Harvesting the twigs cleans the trees and allows fruits to grow. Coconut shells, instead of throwing them away, are also used at Hacienda Crafts. 

Another material that they regularly use is cogon grass, an invasive species that grows everywhere and all the time. "Bamboo poles and branches are abundant natural materials that grow everywhere. We also use buri midrib and leaf, raffia, and buntal fibers—traditionally used to make brooms—capiz shells from a livelihood program in Hinigaran LGU, and more," she enumerated.

According to Ina, they have been able to add value to these materials by using them with respect and highlighting their natural beauty. 

Aside from these, they also use semi-processed natural materials like abaca and raffia fabrics and abaca twine that they source from cooperatives. "This gives these agri-cooperatives a ‘market’ to sell their products. We become part of their supply chain," she added.

Ina, who is a BS Architecture graduate from the University of San Carlos, said that she draws her main design inspirations from nature, adding that "be it a shape, a feeling, an experience or story I want to tell." She emphasized: "Inspiration is everywhere if you take the time to notice." 

A glance at Hacienda Crafts’ products, and you would easily notice how their designs are also influenced by Filipino culture and traditions, with Ina sharing that they want to share these with the world. 

Celebrating Visayan and Filipino Cultures

Hacienda Crafts has been exporting since 1996 and has furnished countless homes, hotels, and resorts with its work. “The bulk of its work is not direct to the consumer but to distributors in USA and Europe,” Ina explained. 

At present, Ina, Joey, and their team have forged various partnerships to further not only the business but also their advocacies. 

Hacienda Crafts, for instance, is a co-founder of The Holistic Coalition of the Willing or HoliCOW based in Cebu City, a platform advocating sustainability principles. HoliCOW is a group of designers, manufacturers, and crafters based mostly in the Visayas, who are “passionate” about sustainability.

Hacienda Crafts and HoliCOW collaborate with partner communities to develop, produce, and market sustainable fair-trade products that tap a community’s skills and resources while supplementing their livelihood. 

They also partner with designers and manufacturers to explore more sustainable production practices and develop products from excess materials that usually get discarded. By consulting and brainstorming with designers, they are able to celebrate their Filipino and Visayan identities through design. 

Some of the other current partnerships of Hacienda Crafts include those with the Association of Negros Producers for peace and order through livelihood projects; Ilaw Atbp for technology solutions; Don Papa Rum for socio-civic initiatives; and Build a Nest USA, an artisan cohort for 2023.

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