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by Beng Ronquillo-Camba
he most creative gathering happened as 29 leaders, indigenous peoples and rural artisans from all over the country and in some parts of Southeast Asia (Malaysia and Cambodia) gathered together to talk about the one thing that tickles their creative minds: handicrafts. A new dimension of the handicrafts enterprise in the Philippines was discussed as the third National Crafts Conference organised by the NTFP Task Force commenced last 18-20 October 2006 in Manila. With the theme Bridging Culture and Commerce 2006: Strengthening the Crafts Enterprises of Indigenous Communities, the conference had the following aims: • To cultivate the interest of the participants to engage in the handicrafts business by sharing successful models of indigenous groups and by showing them the opportunities and threats faced by the industry; and • To strengthen the indigenous crafts groups by preparing them to face the realities of engaging in the indigenous crafts business in the areas of production, marketing and others, by providing them with the perspective of an entrepreneur and by developing the capacities of their leaders who will guide the members in strengthening their enterprise. The three-day conference was strategically designed and involved a creative mix of lectures, workshops and open fora. It also created involvement and maximised participation. Each day of the conference held a unique surprise of its own. The first day was graced by recognised leaders in the handicrafts industry who served as speakers discussing the Crafts Enterprises. The topics that were tackled were the following: crafts production and marketing as an enterprise; the handicrafts industry and responding to market needs and opportunities. At the end of the day, the participants’ readiness was gauged. Most of the participants raised issues of financial resources, raw materials and human resources management as the top three concerns in their priority list. Meanwhile, the second day featured a different approach of learning through a Structured Learning Experience (SLE) that featured the handicrafts industry. The participants got a taste, feel and glimpse of what it feels like to engage in the handicrafts business through a mock business center where they negotiated with buyers (both foreign and local), lenders, suppliers and production crew. Since day two was all about managing and leading the crafts enterprise, the following were the topics discussed during the day: the knowledge and skills needed to run and manage the crafts enterprise, lectures on leading the enterprise, and entrepreneurial organisation. At the end of the day, the participants played another game, which allowed them to get expert advice on issues such as Business Development and System, Merging Commerce and Culture and Marketing Development. Issues on originality, competition and organising business systems were brought up and discussed. But nothing beats the participants’ experience on the third day. That was the day when they got the special treat to go out and expand their horizons through a study tour! The participants visited the then ongoing Manila FAME International exhibit where they saw various handicrafts in cutting-edge designs, unconventional shapes and trendy colors. The participants’ minds were challenged to think out of the box and create original handicrafts of their own. Equipped with new information and fueled by a surge of enthusiasm, the handicrafts leaders went back to their communities filled with a burning passion to share their knowledge and to start working on their crafts. Surely, the rest of the surprise for the Philippine handicrafts industry is yet to unravel. Contact: Beng Ronquillo-Camba |
