Preserving tradition in a modern world

With Filipiniana fashion now going mainstream, you would think that the sector is overcrowded and competitors may be doing cut-throat pricing or commoditizing of such garments.

- CHIT U. JUAN

Not at all. Prices are still decent so the manufacturer and the artisan weaver can make a sustainable income. This allows the supply chain to be sustainable, where the artisan gets a fair share and the retailer is also able to have a thriving business.

Such is the case for Anya Lim, a Cebu-based social entrepreneur who luckily has been doing well for the last 15 years. Anya established ANTHILL Fabric Gallery and I got to visit her when she was just beginning her enterprise. Over the years she met more community groups who are into weaving as a sustainable livelihood activity. She started with a community in Abra back in the day, even if it is a long stretch from Cebu. Today she has communities in Basilan, Lake Sebu and even in Mindoro.

I remember her making career outfits or uniforms for government personnel with touches of local weaves. It was perfect timing that government now requires Monday mornings to start with a flag ceremony where everyone must wear Filipiniana, modern or classic, both for men and women.

Anya's designs are usually sold to clients B2B or business-to-business, with government offices included. This is an ingenious way of partaking of the government procurement budget for MSMEs.

This is a law that many MSMEs are not aware of. A big portion of government spend (at least 10 percent) is, by law, to be awarded to MSMEs to give them a substantial share usually only awarded to big companies who can bid, make a surety bond, etc.