Cultural Creatives

Last Oct. 20, Roberto Milk of Novica gave a talk of how his business, Novica, grew from a concept to an internationally operated retail and distribution dot-com.

His story of leveraging the Internet and global connections, and the emerging market segment called the Cultural Creatives, inspired me to look at the artisans living in my province, and consider taking their products with me when I return from Davao City, Philippines.

The T'Boli tribe is one of the indigenous peoples living in the mountains of southern Mindanao, Philippines. The T'boli are well known in the country to be weavers of colorful patterned clothing, called Tinalak, made of abaca, tie-died with beige and brown designs. They are also one of the most adorned people, bearing brass jewelry, beads and shells, in their tribal attire.

Modernization is encroaching on these people, and the succeeding generations are starting to leave behind their forefather's ways. Novica's and Worldstock's example of bringing world attention to ethnic crafts can be one way to encourage the succeeding generation to be proud of their heritage.

Preserving Culture: the T'Boli of Mindanao