ABOUT US
In 2008, my late husband, Deogracias Victor Barbers – Savellano, then the Governor of Ilocos Sur, launched the search for the Living Treasures of Ilocos Sur. His aim was to document all arts and crafts of every town, to recognize the best artisans of the province. He wanted to encourage them to pass on their expertise and craftsmanship to the younger generation, to continue the tradition.
This was a successful project that brought about more talents and innovations, but fell short of bringing the products to market. Aside from the challenges of transporting the goods to town, the indigenous craftsmen who lived in the mountains and far flung areas of the province, had no means of communicating with their prospective customers; and therefore saw no hope, in the continuance of their cottage industry.
HOW WE STARTED
Hence, an advocacy was organized to assist the artisans to be able to find markets for their products. However, there was no one committed enough to carry on the challenges of the task. In 2013, shortly after our wedding, I (Mrs. Geraldyn Bonnevie- Savellano) took on the baton of spearheading product development projects and marketing stints, to put “Inabel Iloko” and other arts and crafts of Ilocos Sur, in the map of “beautifully crafted home and fashion accessories.”
With very scarce resources, I made an ensemble of various artisanal products created by the craftsmen of the region. We had rattan, bamboo, stone craft, and most of all an array of intricately woven Inabel Iloko textiles and derivatives. We joined several bazaars, and to our surprise, our booth was swarmed with eager clients; and it was there that we met the big buyers. LA BONNE VIE then, had to be created to professionalize transactions and operations, to comply with the requirements for both the local and international markets.
HOW WE GREW
Bigger exhibits followed here and abroad, and more clients came to appreciate our weaves, and patronize our products. Media exposure even brought us more patrons. We started to develop more home textiles to brighten people's homes, and add a pop of color to their drab surroundings, especially during the pandemic. Our products crossed the Asian shores, and landed in the US and South American territories. So from weaving home textiles, we did weaves for furniture upholstery, and we even started supplying handmade espadrilles using handloom woven textile to Puerto Rico.
OUR CHALLENGES
Our handloom woven fabrics are a stand out. No other province, or country does it like we do, despite many attempts of others, to reproduce our weaves.
Unexpectedly, the problems of the weavers being old and weary, came to us at a time we needed to meet deadlines for delivery dates. Most of them being seniors could not weave every day. They complained of back pain and other ailments, despite our efforts to address their health issues. Farming out orders had to be done, to meet the demands of stores. However, this made us realize too, that no two weavers can weave the same design, in exactly the same way. The pattern is in their heads, no drawing, no template; each one of them having her own unique expression of the design. There are only two designers in the province that can put patterns in a loom; and it takes 5 days to prepare a loom.
The availability of cotton threads has become scarce and expensive, so we have to resort to imported threads. The young generation do not wish to weave, but have dreams to work in a call center, or abroad. Since 90 percent of Ilocano families have OFW siblings and parents; to them, that was the only solution to assure that there will always be food on the table.
OUR INSPIRATION
The thought of seeing our vision of having enough food on the table for these families, and creating better lives for them, gave me the strength to carry on. I believed in the extraordinary skills of these artisans, so I took the risk of buying a good supply of threads, had more looms built and had younger weavers trained. I thought that passing on the legacy of their skilled artistry was a must; and a priority. Otherwise, the industry of handloom weaving would die. After all, this was my husband's advocacy that he had passed on to me, so I must persevere. He wanted to create a sustainable source of income for these artisans, so I believe, that if I put my heart and soul into this cause, I too, could bless others.
OUR SUCCESS
In the past, Inabel Iloko was used as sails or masts for the galleons, during the galleon trade. It was also bartered in exchange for gold, since it was at par with the French brocade. However, the industry took a downslope when the western fever that “imported products are always better" came about. Lack of markets to sell their products to, lack of appreciation of their craft from the locals, didn't inspire them to continue their craft. The creation of our advocacy addressed all these challenges and brought their products to the right markets. Where once upon a time, people in the Philippines did not patronize local products; now there is a growing market for people who love local, and are proud of it! The weavers have also learned to upgrade the quality of their weaves to become at par with international standards.
OUR DREAM
I hope to have a weaving school in every weaving town, (6 of them) of Ilocos Sur. There are various loom designs and weaving styles, so I would like to have my own young weavers, who have learned the various weaving styles, and are committed to their craft. I want to have an array of looms with all the designs preserved and ready for weaving. I would like to see tourists coming to Ilocos to see the weavers; and with a lot of stock available for purchase. I would like to see people enjoying our handloom woven products, and keeping them in their homes, like an heirloom.
I hope that handloom weaving will not be a thing of the past, but a new way to express art and culture. We are reviving the handloom weaving industry and preserving a legacy we are proud of. Lastly, I want to be able to help people live a good life and live up to what my name means “ La Bonne Vie” which means “ The Good Life!”