Northern Exposure

You may be familiar with the handcrafted Philippine products of the South, such as those found in the Visayas and Mindanao, but how often do you encounter pieces from the North, specifically from Cagayan Valley?

This northeastern region in Luzon, which is composed of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, and Quirino provinces, is located in between the Sierra Madre and Cordillera mountain ranges. It boasts a mostly agricultural economy, and produces many fine handicrafts using its natural materials and sustainable resources.

The Padday na Lima has been the main trade fair for medium- and small-scale enterprises of these Region 2 provinces since 2007, and regularly exhibits at the Artisans Village of Manila FAME. Here are a few of the brands that have exhibited at the 70th Edition.

A collection of Cagayan Valley products, clockwise from top left: Upcycled Wood Décor from Silya Home Furnishings, Toilet Paper Dispenser from Silya; Desk Clock from Clockwise Wood Crafts; Wooden Basket with Handle by 4H Handicrafts; Rose Bouquet by Maddela Flowers and Crafts.

 

4H Handicrafts

The Nueva Viscaya-based brand creates home décor and kitchen accessories made out of roots, twigs, driftwood pieces, molave wood, and even trunks of large fern plants, which produce a unique speckled pattern in the wooden décor.

Bibsisita

A favorite of Metro Manila bazaars, these pillowcases, bags, pouches, and wristlets are made in Alicia, Isabela, and are printed with the paintings of artist Bibsy Torio. The colorful and fanciful works feature snippets of Filipino life, family, customs, and culture.

Clockwise Wood Crafts

These lamps, clocks, and other decorative accessories are made out of scrap wood, trunks, and the discarded roots and twigs of fallen trees. The randomness of the material gives each piece a unique look.

These lamps, clocks, coffee tables, and other decorative accessories are made out of scrap wood, trunks, and the discarded roots and twigs of fallen trees that would have otherwise been used for firewood or charcoal. The randomness of the material gives each piece a unique look.

 

Iraya Handicraft and Souvenirs

Based all the way in Kayhuvokan, Batanes, Iraya doesn’t only sell the popular woven baskets, caps, and lighthouse-painted wicker bags from this northernmost province. It also sells stool covers that look like the hairy Vakul palm-fiber headdresses worn by the Ivatan indigenous people in the area.

Maddela Flowers and Crafts

The Quirino brand’s rose-like blooms are actually made out of Alibangbang (Filipino for Orchid Tree or Bauhinia Tree) leaves. The leaves are dried and dyed in different colors to create realistic-looking flowers that transformed into long-lasting home décor, wreaths, and even wedding bouquets.

Silya Home Furnishings

Also called Silya, Elektrika, Atbp., Silya was established in Nueva Viscaya. Guillermo Peros and his family, who are building contractors, found themselves with a surplus of wood and metal scraps from demolished houses that would have otherwise gone to waste. He then put up a business selling whimsical and witty home accessories made out of these upcycled scraps (one of them is the House Wall Décor seen in the main image above).

Sta. Praxedes Sarakat Women Weavers

The sleepy town of Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan mainly produces the pandan (Pandanus) plant, also called Sarakat in the region, which Is used in weaving. The Sarakat Movers, now called the Sarakat Women Weavers, was formed in 2006 to produce woven baskets and accessories made out of pandan as part of the One Town One Product (OTOP) program.

 

[CONTACT DETAILS]

4H HANDICRAFTS
URL: region2.dti.gov.ph

BIBSISITA HANDMADE
Mobile No.: +63917 324 2427 (Greenbelt 5, Makati City), +63917 133 2430 (Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa), +63917 125 3796 (Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Pasay City)
URL: bibsisita.com

CLOCKWISE WOOD CRAFTS
Mobile No.: +63919 628 5705
Facebook: @clockwisefurnitureshop

IRAYA HANDICRAFT AND SOUVENIRS
Mobile No.: +63908 110 6771
Facebook: @irayahandicraftandsouvenir

MADELLA FLOWERS AND CRAFTS
Mobile No.: +632 718 2678
Facebook: @maddelaflowersandcrafts

SILYA HOME FURNISHINGS
Facebook: @silyaelektrikafanpage (Silya, Elektrika, Atbp.)

STA. PRAXEDES SARAKAT WOMEN WEAVERS
Mobile No.: +63917 775 5401
URL: sta-praxedes-sarakat-women-weavers.business.site