The social enterprise Gifts and Graces is holding a 10.10 sitewide sale at giftsandgraces.shop until Oct. 16.
“This is our first time to go online,” said Gifts and Graces’ executive director Vicky Jalandoni. “We were fortunate to meet with people from Resonate Asia who were determined to give back to the community. In fact, they were able to come up with something for us in just two weeks.”
All the items on the site are 20-percent off, and 100 percent of the sales will be used to support partner communities.
“The site is a work in progress but we’re continually making it better,” Jalandoni said. There are plans to beef it up for the holiday season.
“Items on sale include our T’boli brass items, teddy bears in upcycled fabric and checkbook holders, among other small gift items,” she added.
Filipinos are known to be naturally talented in art. That’s what Gifts and Graces decided to highlight when they started the company 15 years ago, with only two bold ideas to capitalize on: fair trade and social entrepreneurship. They focused on partnering with local communities around the country to showcase the best of what Filipino craftsmen, designers and artists have to offer.
The company was the brainchild of Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, with the main purpose of bridging the gap between livelihood projects and market access by acting as the venue of expression and celebration of all things Filipino.
As retail stores adjust to new realities, Gifts and Graces bravely pivoted amid the crisis. Their mission is to unleash the potential of Filipinos through authentic designs that connect Filipino artisans with consumers, while preserving and developing artisan skills and creating a base for sustainable skilled employment. However, everyone had to sacrifice and pause due to the pandemic.
Resonate Asia, a small and inspired community passionate about building and amplifying online brands, took the liberty to help Gifts and Graces evolve their business by launching
the platform giftsandgraces.shop.Gifts and Graces can also be found in SM’s Kultura, Rustan’s Department Store, Glorietta, Robinsons Place Manila, and various resorts and shops like Ayala Museum Shop, Go Lokal!, The Farm at San Benito, El Nido Resorts and Naia Terminal 3–Aki Ning Maisog.
giftsandgraces.shop; Facebook: Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation; Instagram: @giftsandgracesfairtrade
