Our top 10 favorite items from Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation

Museum of Foundation of The Philippines’ annual fair, AKA MaArte at The Pen is back, and we have the perfect lineup of items for you to snag this year. All from Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation Inc., the not-for-profit advocates have supported skilled but underserved Filipino Communities for years with the work they do. Whether it’s empowering women or connecting Filipino artisans with consumers, they confidently spearhead all the values you should have on your checklist when searching for new brands to support. Below, find our favourite items from their impressive roster of products. 

1. T’Boli String of Bells 

Said to drive away evil spirits or negative energy, this string of bells were die-cast from the alloy of upcycled metals by the T’bolis of South Cotabato. 

2. T’Boli Brass Bookmark 

Reading from a physical book that’s riveting requires an equally beautiful die-cast brass bookmark by T’boli artisans. 

3. Bell Placecard Holders

This set of miniature bells serve as place card holders and were one of the items gifted to Martha Stewart by the Department of Tourism when the she visited the Philippines. 

4. Justiniano Asuncion-Printed Eyeglass Sleeves

Justiniano Asuncion was one of the leading Filipino artists in the 19th century. He was a student of known Filipino-Chines Mestozo painter, Damian Domingo.

5. Viajero Set

Light-weight and easy to pack, this set of travel organizers were sewn by a group of women from Mandaluyong. 

6. Patchwork Shoulder Bag

Colorful is the patchwork of premium scraps and T’nalak textile sewn into a shoulder bag by the same group of women of Pamana in Mandaluyong. 

7. T’Boli Bracelets

A set of 3 die-cast bracelets fired and crafted by the T’bolis of South Cotabato. 

8. T’Boli Ring, Set of 3 

A set of 3 die-cast rings fired and crafted by the T’bolis of South Cotabato.

9. Antonia Necklace

This necklace of brass and crystal beads was a marriage of 2 skills, the brass pendant was by the T’bolis while the string was by Joyce Acierto of Lingap of SMCL in Binan, Laguna. 

10. Crochet Rainbow Wall Hanger

Made by the skillful hands of the women of Chill-yo of Luisita, Tarlac.

Gifts and Graces believes in the power of social entrepreneurship as a means to overcome marginalization and poverty. Empowered to earn an income by producing quality hand-crafted items, individuals and communities achieve a dignified standard of living, gain pride and become self-reliant members of society. By buying their products, you give them a hand up!

GIfts & Graces will be available at MaArte at The Pen beginning August 19th and will run until the 21st.