'Dioleta' Boholana bags P1M for chair inspired by her lola

Inspired by her Lola Dioleta and the strong women in her family, Bohol artist Deya Tsyna wove her version of a woman's hair into La sleek “hairstyle” reimagined in a chair — and bagged P1 million for it from The Grant of Fashion Aid Philippines. She is The Grant’s first-ever awardee.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

It was also Deya’s first-ever product, woven from abaca rope, and styled into a multidimensional chair that wowed the judges.

"Dioleta is actually my lola's name and the chair is inspired by hair. It is also a tribute to the women in my family, especially my mother, Sarena, who raised me as a single parent," said Deya, who couldn't help but break down in tears after her name was announced as the winner by judge Inno Sotto. An ecstatic Deya immediately called for her lola and her mother to join her on center stage at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros as First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and the officers of Fashion Aid presented her symbolic check and plaque.

The design took Deya about a month to develop, and two weeks to execute in her workshop in Bohol.

"This is actually the first chair I've ever manufactured, and I'm grateful that the hard work has paid off," she said.

What will Deya do with her prize money?

"Right now, I'm still in awe that I was awarded this grant. So it hasn't fully settled in yet what exactly I could do, but what I do know is that this will aid me so much in my career. To now have the resources to explore, to learn more and to create more is something that I am very much grateful for."