As part of its Gender and Development (GAD) program and its advocacy of Philippine design and social enterprise, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin hosted on 13 November a conversation with Filip+Inna founder Lenora Luisa Cabili under its Coffee with Creatives series. Filip+Inna is a decade-old homegrown fashion brand that works with indigenous groups in the archipelago by creating contemporary clothing and accessories that use their traditional embroidery, weaving, and beadwork.

Ms. Cabili shared the brand’s journey with the more than twenty, mostly women guests who attended the talk. Ms. Cabili noted that the brand has deep roots in Mindanao, with her mother hailing from Basilan. Her mother also danced with the Bayanihan dance company, further deepening her and her siblings’ appreciation for Philippine culture. Later, she would also join the dance company herself.

Ms. Cabili also narrated her adventures searching for and working with artisans in far-flung places. Currently, the brand works with up to twenty indigenous groups, and Ms. Cabili has five more groups she plans to work with in the near future. Asked if she was open to working with more groups, Ms. Cabili laughed. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said enough, we’ve got a good number, only to be unable to say no when I’m approached by new groups wanting to partner.”

Most of Filip+Inna’s artisans are women, who have been able to make a living from their traditional skills into a good livelihood with the help of the brand. Not only does Ms. Cabili ensure that they are paid well—the artisans are often paid on a per-stitch basis, she also gives them significant leeway to use their skills and creativity. Usually, she simply provides them with the materials, such as threads and fabric, and gives them free rein to use their imagination in doing their embroidery and stitchwork.

One of the guests asked if Filip+Inna would be open to adjusting the design of its products to cater to German tastes, which tend to be more muted and subdued than Filipino preferences. “You’ve anticipated our design thrust for next year,” Ms. Cabili replied. “In Filip+Inna’s early years, we used a lot of embroidery because we wanted to make a mark. Now that we’ve done that, we’re open to exploring new design directions.”

Filip+Inna founder Lenora Luisa Cabili shared the brand´s journey with more than twenty guests who attended the talk at the Philippine Embassy.

Filip+Inna is at the vanguard of a growing movement of social enterprises in the Philippines that are reviving indigenous and artisanal traditions. Earlier this year, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin also invited Ms. Rosal Lim of Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation to talk about their venture’s efforts to equip and employ women from poor fishing communities in Palawan with pina weaving skills and technology. END

Artists Nil Sencillo (extreme left) and Mike Garcia (extreme right) with Amb. Thomeczek (second from right) and CCP President Arsenio Lizaso (second from left).

Vividly colorful paintings and moving sculptures of artists Mike Garcia, Mario Lubrico, Elordie Mesac, and Nil Sencillo, all homegrown talents of Palawan, are now on display at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin. Dubbed, “Art, Nature & Culture of Palawan,” the exhibit features artworks that depict the natural beauty and ethnological treasures of the province.

“Filipinos are very proud of Palawan because of its exceptional natural beauty. We are even prouder of the province’s people, who have been excellent stewards of their environment, and who are themselves very creative. We consider the province as a model for sustainable tourism. We are happy that through the beautiful works of these four artists, Palawan’s beauty and our responsibility to protect this natural treasure have once again been brought to our collective consciousness,” Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek said.

The event was made more special by the attendance of no less than Mr. Arsenio Lizaso, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Mr. Lizaso congratulated the artists for successfully mounting the exhibit – their first in a major world capital. He also took the opportunity to inform both Filipino and foreign guests of the mandate and major initiatives of the CCP in support of Filipino artists.

“Art Nature & Culture of Palawan” is open for public viewing until November 23, Monday through Friday (0900H-1100H and 1300H-1600H). Interest individuals are requested to set an appointment by sending an email to culture@philippine-embassy.de. END

Living Treasure (original rubbercut) by Elordie Mesac

Pagtarangayen (Friendship) 1 & 2 (terracotta clay) by Mario Lubrico

Heart (mixed media on canvas) by Mike Garcia

Calm Waters (oil on canvas) by Nil Sencillo