ArtisanRise, a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting and empowering local artisan communities, marked its official launch with ArtisanKnows, a two-day capacity-building training program held at the University of the Philippines Visayas last October 14-15, 2023. Participants from three high schools in Iloilo City – Iloilo National High School, Ramon Avanceña National High School, and West Visayas State University - Integrated Laboratory School, participated in the training.
The morning session of the first day of ArtisanKnows was highlighted with an engaging and informative talk by Ms. Lorlie Noblezada, the artisanal entrepreneur of De Paul Budbud Sea Salt. Her talk on, "Artisans as Cultural Heritage," presented an overview of the various artisanal products found throughout the country. Ms. Noblezada further emphasized the critical role artisans play in maintaining cultural heritage; highlighting the need to preserve artisanship for future generations.
Mr. Gerard Steven Jake T. Montero, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI Business Counselor of Passi Negosyo Center then discussed “Artisanry in a Business Perspective." He shed light on the current landscape of artisans while informing students of the challenges faced by local artisans. He provided insights into the instrumental support rendered by the DTI to artisans and small businesses – offering clarity on registration processes and permits.
In the afternoon, faculty members of the Department of Management, Asst. Prof. Ma. Rhona P. Beriales and Dr. Christine Mae Hernando, delivered mini-lectures on “Formulating a Good Business Proposal” and “Community Engagement Etiquette" respectively. Asst. Prof. Beriales underscored the importance of weaving a compelling narrative into business proposals, urging participants to invest in products rather than merely appreciating them, while also emphasizing the key elements of consistency, social impact, and a comprehensive business perspective. Prof. Hernando emphasized the importance of fostering respectful and sustainable interactions with local communities, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and ethical engagement as essential aspects of community involvement. The day ended with a team-building session that fostered camaraderie and teamwork among the participants.
On the second day of ArtisanKnows, Mr. Front Olilang, ArtisanRise co-head, opened the training program by sharing the initiative’s humble beginnings and deep-rooted passion for local artisanry that set an empowering tone for the day. Ms. Cole Jaco of Produkto Lokal then presented "Market Trends on Local Products," engaging participants with interactive and effective teaching. Later, Ms. Mary Ann Sedero, Junior Executive Society (JES) Adviser, introduced "How to Pitch 101," stressing that as SHS students, they have unknowingly done pitching to their peers and classmates. This session was further enriched by Mr. John Dyrick Dormis, Chief Marketing Officer of Outboxed. Connecting with participants via Zoom, Mr. Dormis highlighted common challenges that participants often encounter, providing participants with foresight and guidance in navigating these challenges. His contribution added a layer of depth and practicality to the session, leaving participants with actionable knowledge they can immediately apply to their entrepreneurial ventures.
The two-day training program ended with a mini-case study to help participants synthesize learnings by proposing innovations in an artisan’s marketing, accounting, and operations functions. These innovations will then be the subject of their pitch toward their chosen artisans.
The ArtisanKnows experience is far from done. Sugilanon, which means "story" in Hiligaynon, is the second phase of the initiative where participants will immerse themselves in the craft of their chosen artisans. This hands-on experience will enable them to build personal relationships with the artisans so that they can curate business plans for them. The upcoming Sugilanon event is a unique opportunity for the participants to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ultimately becoming the driving force behind the resurgence of local artisans in their communities. The final phase of the policy project is the Panubli convention which will be held on November 24-25, 2023.
This initiative is made possible with the support of the Gerry Roxas Foundation and One Western Visayas Youth Network under YouthLed PH. This project has been funded by USAID Philippines and The Asia Foundation, reflecting a collective effort to empower the youth and promote the growth of artisan communities in the Philippines through Policy Dialogue implemented by the Junior Executive Society.
ArtisanRise continues to empower and inspire the youth, showing that the future of artisanry and business management is in capable hands.
