Meet some of the artisans behind the Philippines’ traditional crafts
1. Joevel Francisco
One of the artisans of Leyte-based Uswag Artesano, Joevel Francisco started his journey in
basket weaving at the age of 13. What he uses for his products are bamboo, anahaw, and
tikog, among others, which are sourced in Leyte and Samar. Apart from baskets, Joevel and
the skilled craftsmen of Leyte produce banigs, market totes, and even bobo-inspired lamps,
which could take months to finish depending on the product, from the preparation of the
materials to the weaving process.
2. Siegrid Bangyay and Ma. Fe Terisa Valle
Hailed from Sagada, Siegrid Bangyay and Ma. Fe Terisa Valle made masterpieces from clay.
Siegrid started doing pottery 21 years ago, creating pieces inspired by her culture and the
environment. She then passed on her knowledge to Fe, who has been making decorative art
out of clay for seven years. Their process can take up to three months, from molding to
putting their pieces in the kiln. They use soil from Sagada for their earthenware products and
a mixture of minerals and pine ash for the glaze.
3. Jason Domling
Jason Domling is a Baguio-based artisan doing weaved crafts out of kawayan and
rattan since his elementary days. He makes woven bags, baskets, and other
handmade home ornaments.
4. Tomas Ramirez
One of the many who continue to pound and bend metal to become intricately
designed products is Tomas Ramirez. The proprietor behind Ramirez Mirror and
Metal Crafts, Tomas has been in the industry for over 30 years. His company's
products are made of brass and silver, among others, and have been featured in
churches and processions in Cebu, Rizal, Cavite, Pampanga, etc.
5. Nida Bacaling
Nida Bacaling of the T’boli tribe has been weaving T’nalak as early as seven years
old. She grew up in a family of skilled artisans, creating traditional embroideries and
beading apart from weaving. Currently, Nida is the president of Kenhulung
Handicrafts Federation, Inc., Lake Sebu Indigenous Political Structure Women
Association, and South Cotabato Crafters Association. One of their champion
products is the T’nalak fabric, the T’boli people’s sacred cloth made of abaca tinted
with natural dyes.
6. Wynn Wynn Ong
Wynn Wynn Ong has a strong passion for crafting artistic, beautiful, and exquisite
jewelry and accessories. Not your ordinary jeweler, Wynn Wynn insists on creating
one-of-a-kind pieces that can’t be found elsewhere, using a very wide range of
materials, from precious metals and stones to shells.
7. Kenneth Cobonpue
Kenneth Cobonpue was named the first Maison et Objet Designer of the Year for
Asia in 2014. The Filipino creative has been awarded the title for his contributions
and impact in the field furniture and design—most notably for developing and
manufacturing woven rattan furniture for indoor and outdoor use.
Filipino industrial designer known for his unique designs integrating natural materials
through innovative handmade production processes. He began his design career
after his studies in Industrial Design in New York, which led him to apprenticeships
and further studies in Italy and Germany.
FOREIGN ARTISANS AND THEIR CRAFTS
1. Angelo Barovier (Glass Blowing)
Angelo Barovier was an Italian glass artist. Raised in a family with a long tradition of
glass working, Barovier was certainly the best-known member and significant for
uniting the knowledge passed down for generations as an artist.
2. Anni Albers (Textile)
Anni Albers was a German-Jewish visual artist and printmaker. A leading textile artist
of the 20th century, she is credited with blurring the lines between traditional craft
and art.
3. Lisa Telford (Basketry)
Lisa Telford is a Haida weaver who creates
contemporary garments, shoes and other
objects using innovative and contemporary
approach to traditional basketry. Her work
serves as a commentary on Native identity,
stereotypes and fashion.
4. Aiba Kouichirou (Pottery)
Aiba Kouichirou was born in 1944, into a family which produced ceramic containers
for plants and also tableware. When he was in his 30's he built a new kiln and
changed the name of the kiln to Koyo Toen. It was then that he began producing
bonsai ceramics. Aiba Koyo's glazed pots are very popular in Japan and
internationally. Many Kokufu winning trees and countless magazines have featured
trees potted in his containers on the front cover.
5. Laurence Graff (Jeweler)
Laurence Graff began his design career in England when he was 15 years old and
apprenticed to a professional jeweler. By 1960, he had founded the Graff Diamonds
company. By 1962, he had multiple stores open in London’s jeweler’s district. In
addition to his elaborate diamond jewelry designs, Graff is known for buying and
resetting famous diamonds. Famous diamonds that he has worked with include
Wallis Simpson’s Windsor Yellows set, the Wittelsbach diamond (later renamed the
Wittelsbach-Graff diamond), and the Lesotho Promise diamond, a rough diamond
which was 603 carats when Graff bought it.
6. Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was a renowned architect known for his craftsmanship and
innovative architectural projects. But it was his work as a furniture designer in later
life that really brought his style to the forefront. His work with natural materials did
away with traditional techniques and instead he focused on blending exterior and
interior in interior design, blending art and industrial design too. This forward-
thinking style made him not only a prominent architect, but one of the most
impressive furniture designers too.
