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In a heartwarming display of social enterprise, SEDP-MPC sa Pag-asenso, Inc. and ECHOstore have forged a powerful partnership. This collaboration empowers Bicolana women microentrepreneurs who craft exquisite gift sets featuring handwoven baskets filled with local treasures like brown rice, bottled preserves, virgin coconut oil, tea, Philippine coffee, and more. Beyond commerce, this initiative cultivates sustainable livelihoods, preserves traditional crafts, and creates profound community impact.
ECHOstore's partnership with SEDP-MPC stems from a long-standing commitment to social good, deeply embedded in the enterprise's DNA. As ECHOstore founder and owner Chit Juan, who’s also a SEDP board member since 2012, explains, "I have seen the products of the women entrepreneurs and have been thinking of how else ECHOstore can help them." This direct exposure to the women's craftsmanship ignited the idea of collaboration, leading to the inclusion of their products into ECHOstore's offerings.
The collaborative journey is organic and responsive to market needs. SEDP presents baskets crafted from diverse local materials, which ECHOstore incorporates into their holiday catalogs. "These products are not exclusively available on holidays; they can be ordered any time of the year," Chit Juan notes, highlighting a consistent market for the women's creations.
A certain criteria guide ECHOstore's selection process, prioritizing natural fibers and local availability. "We wanted them using natural fibers that are available locally in their area, such as karagumoy (pandanus simplex) from Sorsogon and Bacacay Island and sinamay made from Albay’s abaca," Juan emphasizes, underscoring a commitment to authenticity and sustainable sourcing. This partnership perfectly aligns with ECHOstore's overarching mission of helping communities become sustainable with products that are available all year round and helping small artisans so they can keep the traditional crafts alive.
Through this collaboration, ECHOstore not only provides market access but actively contributes to the preservation of traditional Filipino crafts and the economic empowerment of women in Bicol.
At the core of this partnership are the Bicolana women microentrepreneurs, whose skill and dedication bring life to each gift set. SEDP-MPC highlights their commitment to showcasing traditional craftsmanship through handcrafted baskets and sustainable packaging from local fibers like karagumoy, abaca, bariw, and buri. This effort not only preserves traditional weaving but also creates vital livelihood opportunities.
Nanay Josephine Dollesin, a pandan basket weaver, shared how her husband helps with sturdy handles, a testament to their shared commitment to quality. Nanay Raquel Del Mundo, a SEDP-MPC member, explained how her community's vibrant designs, showcased at a Simbag Product Pitching event, opened doors to a wider market and allowed her to support other local weavers.
SEDP-MPC noted ECHOstore's communicative and collaborative approach, treating them as true partners. Nanay Josephine appreciated how SEDP shares client values like sustainability, which encourages their craftsmanship.
The impact on their livelihoods has also been significant. SEDP-MPC reports "increased income" from bulk orders, providing consistent earnings. Nanay Josephine proudly shared that the ECHOstore orders, a new venture for her, "significantly increased" her and her weavers' income. Nanay Raquel echoed this, emphasizing the critical support during a recent calamity, calling the ECHOstore order "the biggest we've ever received," ultimately providing a much-needed source of livelihood. SEDP plays a crucial role by visiting communities, assessing capacity, providing advance payments for raw materials, and offering financial literacy sessions to ensure fair pricing and sustainable practices.
The partnership offers significant benefits for ECHOstore, enhancing its brand as a purveyor of unique, impactful gifts. As Chit Juan notes, "Our corporate clients love the idea of helping small producers, so they always keep ECHOstore in mind."
Beyond purchasing, ECHOstore provides crucial support through market access and design inputs, such as suggesting nested baskets for efficient logistics. This collaboration has profoundly influenced the sustainability of the women's business practices.
SEDP highlights how ECHOstore's values encouraged them to prioritize eco-friendly materials and streamline production, ensuring quality and minimizing waste. Nanay Josephine emphasizes their continuous efforts to ensure product quality, which, in turn, supports the livelihoods of those who plant and harvest the raw materials, preventing valuable resources from going to waste.
The aspirations for this partnership extend far beyond current successes. Chit Juan hopes "to see the next generation also follow the footsteps of the artisans and craftswomen," advocating for natural materials over plastic.
SEDP-MPC envisions a continuous growth into a sustainable, community-based enterprise, linking small producers to larger opportunities. Nanay Josephine dreams of sustained orders to support weavers and engage youth in preserving their craft, while Raquel hopes for increased capital and for this work to become a main source of income, empowering more families.
To consumers, the message is clear and heartfelt: "You are not just buying a gift," SEDP-MPC urges, "you are supporting local artisans, farmers, and communities." As Chit Juan adds, these purchases "help the community keep the craft alive" and promote environmental sustainability. "Dios Mabalos"—a profound thank you—from the Bicolana artisans for choosing gifts that truly give back.
Contact ECHOstore’s Facebook page to order your gift baskets.
