Proudly made by traditional weavers from Bukidnon Province, a handbag is being sold by an LA-based online store for $62.00 or roughly 3,100 Philippine pesos.
The Marché Tote / Houndstooth bag, simply called bayong in the Philippine language, is intricately handcrafted by women who belong to the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association, Inc. of Malaybalay City in the island of Mindanao. According to the online shop, Accoutrements LA, the bag is made from the leaves of pandan, a tropical plant commonly found in the Philippines.
Accoutrements LA was founded by Lisa Upton, an interior designer who travelled widely to the Philippines. On the other hand, Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association is composed of women from the Tagolwanen Tribe of Bukidnon. It was founded by social entrepreneur Lorie “Amihan” Rago Marte.
The online shop also features handbags as well as jewelry from many other parts of the Philippines like Antique, Aklan and Misamis Oriental.