MESSAGE IN A LOCKET

Accessories make a perfect gift for any special occasion. There’s so much thought dedicated to the process of choosing the right article that will match your friend or loved one’s personality and sense of style. Some would choose to match it with a person’s color preference or skin tone. For a change, why not customize the piece to icons which define a person’s appeal and favorite things?

Unlock your best memories of a special someone and create a precious keepsake out of them. Full-time mom Tatiana Jean “Ina” Bautista – Moran has recently introduced a novel gift idea of personalizing a charmed locket necklace with little trinkets inside. “Favorite Things,” as Ina would call them, are charming neckpieces which can give more character to a person’s fashion statement. Aside from being an accessory to an outfit, the gift itself becomes more meaningful for the person receiving it as each necklace is tailor-made in collaboration with the giver himself.

“I really involve buyers in the design process. I let them go through my selection of charms, locket frames and chains. They get to mix and match pieces which remind them of a memorable experience or perception of a special someone. There are also statement charms and letters, should they wish to spell out how they feel about a person, exactly,” shares the pretty mom, who seem to have inherited the business acumen and creativity from her young looking aunt and fellow mompreneur, Mimi Vergara – Tupas.

“It’s a great way of showing your appreciation to a friend, relative or lover. In a way, it channels the kid in you as this design process will inspire and ignite your creativity, just like a little child who’s busy with his drawing or painting. In the end, it’s a necklace chosen and made by you. I am just the person who puts the style elements together and seal the memory into a locket necklace. It’s a great exercise of the mind and feelings, as it takes you down the memory lane while you choose the icons that would suit a person’s personality and image.”

“This just started out as a hobby which later on realized into an online business. I pay my clients a visit so they can personally select and design the necklaces. Prices vary depending on the type and number of charms, plus the size of the locket ,” explains Ina.

“What makes this gift unique is its sentimental value and the fact that it’s very personal. These statement pieces are unique and do not have replicas in stores because they are created specifically for a certain someone.”

For orders, please contact Ina Bautista - Moran at mobile no. 0917 803 1425.

---
Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1 and A4, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 203, 24 December 2014.

HUMABI: STYLE AND PURPOSE IN A BAG

 

This generation has seen the birth of so many home grown brands. This business trend resonates well around the metro as a good percentage of the population has made the practical and sensible move to support local. In a way, you can say the market has matured and found a deeper connection to and appreciation for artisanal creations, homemade epicurean delights and crafts made from indigenous materials.

While most of today’s artists and designers have explored the many types and uses of eco-friendly materials and adapted them into their production, Erika Soriano Mata has found a gem in recyclables and made good use out of them by turning them into fashionable bags.

 

“Our products are made entirely of tie box twines,” shares the budding entrepreneur. Erika, who is a full-time mom to 3 children, recently launched her line of bags under the brand called Humabi. “It means ‘weave,’ which is how the bags are made.”

Erika Soriano Mata, the woman behind Humabi

 “I put up this brand in collaboration with my daughters. They are part of the design process. We wanted the bags to complement any outfit. It’s utilitarian in the sense that you can wear it to any event or occasion, even on a regular day. The idea of creating our own brand just sparked from our shared interest in fashion and style, plus the vision we have for the family’s outreach program.” Erika and her husband, Richard, have long since provided assistance to young adults who cannot support themselves in school. “All our scholars are studying at the Philippine Science High School. We really hope we can send more children to school by getting the additional resources.” With this goal in mind, Erika launched Humabi to raise funds for their charity work.

 

 

“Think of it as fashion for a cause. Every bag you buy sends a child to school. The business provides livelihood to our weavers who are women and mothers in the correctional institution. There really is so much heart in this project and I couldn’t be any happier with how everything turned out. The response from the market is also overwhelming. We’ve received so many orders from women, especially fellow moms. I’m so excited to share this blessing with our scholars,” beams Erika.

 

What other mompreneurs say about Humabi:

"I was impressed with the quality of its workmanship as well as the designs. It was obvious to me that each bag was designed with much thought and created with love and care. What’s even more impressive are the aspirations behind Humabi. This brand is a perfect mixture of style, function and purpose." – Kay Gempesaw 

 

“Only a few can definitely mix taste, class, substance, enterprise and purpose. Humabi nailed all of the above. It comes to no surprise to me because Erika, being a woman I greatly adore, exemplifies just the same. She is all of the above, plus she does this with such grace, humility and a pure heart. Each woman would surely love to be just that sometimes and Humabi lends us a chance to be a tiny bit of one, or everything in our own little way.”  - Mimi Vergara-Tupas

 

 

“Humabi encapsulates the heartfelt commitment of the people behind it in their promise of a brighter future for brilliant young minds, and the hope of regaining the spirit of the women in the correctional institution. Erika Soriano-Mata, the driving force behind this admirable advocacy, found beauty in the ordinary. Her tasteful designs were translated into carefully crafted elegant bags.” – Bianca Barretto – Uy

 

 

“Humabi is very close to my heart because of all the love and passion that is put into it. ... Each piece tells a story and I carry it with love and pride knowing that it has helped many.“Humabi is very close to my heart because of all the love and passion that is put into it. Each piece tells a story and I carry it with love and pride knowing that it has helped many. It also makes a very special gift to your loved ones.” – Marga Montemayor – Nograles

 

To order Humabi bags, visit http://www.humabi-bags.com or email humabibags@yahoo.com.
(photos courtesy of Erika Soriano Mata)

---

Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 192, 10 December 2014.

SOUL KITCHEN CO. OPENS GRAB AND GO STORE

 

Fresh, cold-pressed veggie and fruit juices are fast becoming one of the most popular and profitable business opportunities. Aside from reasonable start-up costs and operating capital, this type of business supports and represents a growing market that’s leaning towards a healthier and balanced lifestyle.

Today’s urbanites have embraced the movement to eat healthy, get active and fit. There are many who ventured into online marketing channels where anyone can order for bottles to be delivered to their doorstep.  It relieves one of the trouble of having to press your own veggies and fruits, especially if you don’t have the proper gears nor the luxury of time to do so.

  

Even Davaoeños have caught up with the trend and are starting to stick to healthier options from a variety of fast food selections. To any health-conscious soul, fast food now means convenient and handy nourishment that you can buy and take with you wherever you go. 

The growing demand for these nutritious blends prompted the maker of Soul Kitchen Co. to open a Grab and Go concept store at the heart of Davao’s main food strip. Soul Kitchen Co. is the brainchild of Mimi Vergara-Tupas who is also widely known for her clothing brand and pet grooming centers. A mompreneur who, despite the busy schedule, gives priority to her family's wellness, she herself is a firm advocate of juicing as part of a healthy lifestyle --- not to replace solids but to complement them and nourish the body with nutrients which aren't present in some meals and snacks. "I want my children to enjoy real food --- get the right amount of energy, nutrition and vitamins, and a feeling of wellbeing."
 

 

 

The brand's line of cold-pressed liquids has become a favorite among locals. All juices are made fresh and delivered according to schedule, which used to be limited to only a couple of days per week. A lifestyle brand that campaigns on wellness and “real food,” it has created a niche of its own as it expanded its menu offers from nutritious fluids to savory items such as Supersalads, Overnight Oats, soups, pasta and a variety of Quinoa recipes. Now boasting a revamped label and spankin’ new packaging, Soul Kitchen Co. has become a household name which continues to increase its following even in neighboring towns around the region. 

 

The Grab and Go store is only on its soft opening phase yet health aficionados have already frequented the counter to order their stash of drinks and power munchies. Conveniently located near wellness and fitness centers, Soul Kitchen Co’s foot traffic comes from the community of people who understand the value and benefits of eating right and getting fit. Families and individuals in neighboring subdivisions have also become part of the store’s regular crowd.

 

"The market's response to healthy living is overwhelming, more so with opening of our take out counter," shares Mimi, the juicing mama. "It was through my husband's prodding that I found inspiration and energy to put up this place. This makes it convenient for our customers to choose and buy from our selection of available best sellers, be it drinks or delectable goods, at any time of the week. This is a step forward in terms of service, because we can now cater to their needs without the limitation of delivery schedules."

 

 

I'd say the soft opening couldn't have come at a better time. With series of holiday celebrations coming, most people are bound to keep their calorie intake at the right level with fiber infused drinks and lighter meal options. After all, health is the best gift you can give yourself and your family. 

 

For your daily dose of healthy, swing by Soul Kitchen Co's Grab and Go store located next to One Fab Pooch along F. Torres St., Davao City.
---
Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 187, 3 December 2014.