Join us today as we dive into the inspiring story of Milody Alcuitas, co-founder of Mil Dim Handcrafted Creations Shoes Shop. What began as a humble college hustle in Carcar City has grown into a powerful movement for slow fashion, heritage preservation, and artisan empowerment. Discover how Milody and her team are reviving Filipino shoemaking, one handcrafted pair at a time, through purpose-driven entrepreneurship, collaboration, and community-led impact.
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00:00:00Hello everyone, Mayung Hapon and welcome to another inspiring episode of Sensor Startup Spotlight, The Island Stories.
00:00:25I'm Queen Garcia D'Onaldo and today we are featuring a local brand from Karkar City Cebu that's not only making handicraft shoes but also reviving a Filipino, a beautiful Filipino tradition which is shoemaking.
00:00:42Sensor Startup Spotlight, The Island Stories is a campaign by Isla Local in partnership with Sensor Cebu which aims to help local artists and artisans promote their products from artisanal food to native bags, fashion accessories, home deckers and everything in between.
00:00:59Isla Local is an online marketplace for Filipino local products where you can find your favorite handmade creations like native bags, fashion accessories, food wear, paintings, home deckers or even artisanal food like dried mangoes, farm-to-table products and gourmet chocolates.
00:01:19Simply go to www.islalocal.com, search for a product, add it to your cart, pay and we will take care of your delivery.
00:01:29For Cebu City, Isla Local offers same-day delivery and for national and international customers, we can ship nationwide and worldwide.
00:01:37Especially this coming Mother's Day, we have available products for you, we have scented candles, that is a bouquet of scented candles, you can purchase that through our website.
00:01:49We also have chocolates, we also have flowers or dried flowers or we have different gourmet food that you can give to your mothers.
00:01:59So, before we officially begin this episode, let's greet our live viewers, hello, hello, especially from Carcar City, the shoe capital of Visayas and Mindanao.
00:02:12And also tell us in the comments section kung asa mo napita ka noon, kung sa inyong gibuhat, nagbayahin na ba mo pa doong uli, or nag-watch lang ba mo na muna mo sa inyong balays.
00:02:24So, say hi and hello in the comment section.
00:02:28And if you do have questions about business, entrepreneurship, or about our featured brand for today, drop them below and we'll answer them later in the show.
00:02:40Plus, stay with us until the end of this live because we're giving away three handcrafted footwear from our guests, Mildim Handcrafted Creations Shoes Shop.
00:02:57So, three handcrafted footwear.
00:02:59So, three winners, no, of one pair of footwear from Mildim.
00:03:04So, for you to win this giveaway, you have first to like and follow Sunstar, Biz Hero, Isla Lokal, and of course, Mildim Handcrafted Creations Shops on Facebook and on Instagram.
00:03:20And of course, like, comment, and share the live interview.
00:03:24So, sayo na kayo, no?
00:03:25Like, share, comment.
00:03:27So, Sunstar, Biz Hero, Isla Lokal, and Mildim.
00:03:30So, you will get a chance to win a pair of shoes na pulido kayo pagkahimu ugi kan sa city of Karkar.
00:03:39So, now let's get into it.
00:03:41Today, we are very thrilled, no, to feature a business that began as a humble college project and has now grown into a beautiful mission, driven brand, rooted in the community, culture, and craftsmanship.
00:03:57So, let's welcome a woman and a mother behind the Mildim Handcrafted Creations Shoes Shop, Ms. Melody Elquitas, the creative director and also the proud owner.
00:04:11So, hi, Mild.
00:04:13Hello, ma'am queen.
00:04:14Hi, welcome to Sunstar.
00:04:16And thank you so much for being with us here today.
00:04:18And we're very excited to share your story to our viewers.
00:04:24So, maybe we can start by sharing a little bit about your background and how Mildim started.
00:04:30Way back 2014, during those college years, nag-start lang d'yo to siya because of hardships in life.
00:04:39So, I had to stop during that time because my mama got cancer.
00:04:45So, as a breadwinner, nili siya ka purso atong college fund na ko during that time.
00:04:52But I'm very thankful sa ako ang sibling, my sister and brother na na-continue gihapon ako.
00:04:58But I need to find ways also na maka-income ko during that time.
00:05:03So, way back 2014, nag-start ko o resell sa mga shoes sa Karkar City until naka-ingon ko nga,
00:05:12pwede man if ever, pwede ako sad, kami sad, muhi mo sad, to have ka na bitawang maka-tweak ka designs,
00:05:21maka-revise ka sa mga designs, you can have your own concept sa footwear.
00:05:26So, nag-start siya way back 2014.
00:05:29So, a student pa ka?
00:05:31Yes, third year college.
00:05:33So, murag maka-ana sa tanong, sometimes ang atong hardships will birth to something new.
00:05:40Blessing in disguise.
00:05:41Oh, murag blessing in disguise.
00:05:43So, ato nga time, you were in college.
00:05:46So, how did you juggle having the business at the same time studying?
00:05:52During that time, Judkay, on daytime studying, at nighttime kay selling.
00:05:57So, around 6 p.m., I need to go home sa Karkar from City, by the way, sa Cebu City.
00:06:05So, mag-go home pa ko, mag-ulit pa ko Karkar para mag-get sa stocks.
00:06:09And then, mabalik na saan sa City para i-deliver si stocks.
00:06:12So, thankful sa ako ang boyfriend, now my husband.
00:06:17Wow!
00:06:17Okay, supportive kaayos sa mga deliveries na ito, kay gamay man kay tanong.
00:06:23So, daghan na kay ito ang gidala nga mga boxes.
00:06:26So, dili na kaya.
00:06:28So, imuha mga market, ay nasa Cebu City.
00:06:31Yes, mga first customers na ito, Judd.
00:06:34From Cebu City, especially mga classmates na ako pag-college na supportive kaayos.
00:06:39Sa mga gibaligyan na ako.
00:06:41So, Lizud, sa tutunga time sa una, kay wala pa ba yung mga deliveries?
00:06:45Wala. Meet up, meet up pa, ma'am.
00:06:48Bit-bit pa diri, bit-bit-bit.
00:06:50But how did it change with digitalization right now?
00:06:55Very convenient and advantage kaayos karoon ang online selling.
00:07:00Kay daghan kaayong platforms na na-evolve, gyud kaayong digital.
00:07:05It's easy, but a lot po nakaag-competisyon.
00:07:08This time, during that time, kay, for me, it's traditional way of selling the shoes.
00:07:16And then, now, kay, need ka mo keep up, Judd.
00:07:19On saang mga dapat convenient na sa ito ang mga consumer.
00:07:25So, ang trend po, dali, available, pero listen, apasun.
00:07:28That's what you're saying.
00:07:30So, kung sa una, bit-bit ka, Karon, at least, nanay mo deliver.
00:07:33O, nanay mo kuha sa delivery.
00:07:35Nanay mga courier.
00:07:36Oh, very good.
00:07:37Nice, kayo kay layo, layo po ba yung kar-kar, no?
00:07:40Yes.
00:07:40So, you were a student, and then, imo siyang gihimo nga business.
00:07:46Nag-himo ba ka diretsyo nga?
00:07:48Pagka-college pa ni mo na, business na po.
00:07:51Or, kung sa man ang transition, what was your turning point?
00:07:54Ganyan na ka.
00:07:55I want to make this big this time.
00:07:57During that time, kayo, is, naanabit tayo mo rag, mga, I want to listen more sa consumer na to.
00:08:05Meal, pwede ka nang lahing nga color, pwede lahing nga design, but I cannot do it, or I cannot control it, because dali pa kami ang gahimo.
00:08:12So, during that time, kayo, nagka-feeling wonder woman ta to nga time.
00:08:16So, ayun ko sa akong husband nga, boyfriend din ako sa ONA.
00:08:20So, ingin na ko niya nga, pwede maghi mo tag-atoa, but since dali man ta elite family, so wala tayo fans during that time.
00:08:28So, nag-sell ni Disagonsa, pahumot, mga RTW, ka ng mga brochure sa ONA.
00:08:35Pwede ba na kumain ko ng brand?
00:08:36Yes, yes, yes, yes.
00:08:37So, nag-sell kita, proud reseller to sa Avon sa ONA, no?
00:08:40And then, out from it, mag-save until nakakita ni Ogpair, pair of artisan.
00:08:46Nga, kanang, among ginala sa balay.
00:08:49Arita rin nga part sa table ko at to sa ko, mama kayo, nagpagamit siya sa iyong side yard.
00:08:54Did to me, nag-start until you study, hand-should na mo.
00:08:57Ako, husband, may tig pattern.
00:08:59Ako, tiguan sa mga customer.
00:09:00Ako, yung rug-tig.
00:09:01I am the mind niya.
00:09:02Siya ang, o, hands and feet.
00:09:05And then, from there, kayo, na-innovate na mo siya na, kuya ate, the artisans na, pwede mas limpio ang humaan, mas bulido ang humaan.
00:09:15And then, way back 2020, dito, Jud Morag na-established siya because we really did invest sa among knowledge sa business since medical background ko niya, siya kay HRM.
00:09:27So, layo kayo siya.
00:09:28Layo obit tau.
00:09:29Layo, taayo, layo, Jud Kaayo siya.
00:09:32So, na-invest niya sa knowledge, we enroll in 1-1-1 manufacturers training in Luzon.
00:09:39So, mga mentors na ako in Manila.
00:09:41So, I'm thankful po sa mga people na nagsurround sa ako.
00:09:44They really see my heart through the craft.
00:09:48So, from there, kayo na-realize na mga pwede di ay may maka-offer sa B2B, not just B2C, or not just for the customer sa retail.
00:09:55So, mao ito siya ni Grow Big Sia pag dito na sa mga brand, business to business, we're offering exclusive partnership with them.
00:10:05Nailaha ang brand among ginakita.
00:10:07So, exclusive branding or rebranding for them.
00:10:12So, you mentioned, like, passionate ka about this.
00:10:17Do you consider it your biggest why, your calling?
00:10:25Pag-graduate na ako, kayo, I had to decide na if mo practice na ako sa profession.
00:10:31So, nursing ka, di ba?
00:10:33Med-tech.
00:10:33Oh, med-tech.
00:10:34Layo, Jud Kaayo.
00:10:36So, blessing in disguise kayo siya.
00:10:37So, I need to decide if mo practice na ako sa akong profession or mo pursue ko sa business.
00:10:43So, during that time, kayo na pa ko yung mga on-call duty sa laboratory.
00:10:48Nga, igabi-i ang out niya, adlawan kay factory.
00:10:52But, kanabi taong, di na kaya sa lawa.
00:10:55So, nideside na diyan ko nga mo focus ko this time.
00:10:57And I think this is my calling, Lord, no?
00:11:00Kayo Marag, in one act of, this is just a small act but bigger iya hang impact.
00:11:06Why do you think so?
00:11:08Because we can employ more artisans in a way na I can help or I will be a vessel to lead them into innovation.
00:11:17But we can, we, Pinoy, can still create innovative designs, pulido pagkahimo nga.
00:11:22We're not just, dili na lang, dili na bita taing nun nga.
00:11:25Karikar or D.I.D.?
00:11:27Ay, marag something, Ana.
00:11:28Maunang maka-heartbreak.
00:11:29O, maka-heartbreak.
00:11:30Maka-heartbroken kain ako sa una.
00:11:32So, why not dapat mo, Ana, si consumer nga.
00:11:35Really?
00:11:35Karikar ni?
00:11:36So, Marag, ma-heart to'y naka-fuel sa ako ang passion nga.
00:11:40If someone can recognize the artisans na pwede pa di ay sila muhimuog better than this,
00:11:48ma-upskill po sila, ma-innovate po sila, and we can give recognition to them.
00:11:52Correct.
00:11:52Okay, without this beautiful product, behind this beautiful product d'yon kay sila, gyan.
00:11:57So, sila ang heart sa Mildim.
00:11:58Hello, my Mildim artisans.
00:12:00Hello, hello.
00:12:01So, pila nakabuoka nga to artisans ka ron.
00:12:04I consider myself as creation hub, not a factory, kaya may ragad ato ang team, no?
00:12:10We have six in the production team, but thankfully, I have itong mga on-call if busy na sila sa Vermont.
00:12:18Oh, sa Vermont.
00:12:19So, at least, in car-car, nag-gan pag-itahin ka ay yung maghimuay, Jude, sandals or footwear?
00:12:27Way back before importations nga ni Solod, Jude, sa ato ang nasod kay almost all of the household maker,
00:12:35yun ang mama, maker ang papa, and then napasa sa next generation nila.
00:12:39But because education before, dili siya readily accessible, like mga private pa, masiguro sa una.
00:12:46Then, nipasok ang mga free na education, like public.
00:12:52So, ang mga bata, ipa-escuela nila.
00:12:54So, wala na yung next generation nga nisonod sa shoemaking.
00:12:58So, it's one of our mission talaga to empower also next generation through workshops.
00:13:05Wow, nice.
00:13:06So, you have workshops to sustain d'un.
00:13:08So, it's like a cottage industry also kay tag-household na silaan ng skills.
00:13:14But how did it start that ba sa car-car, kanyang sandal or footwear making?
00:13:20If you remember, Uso kay Espadril sa una.
00:13:24So, car-car, Jude, kayo na.
00:13:25Nag-start siya sa Liburon, a family there na from parents, ganyan nga, mama, papa,
00:13:32local livelihood siya, like fishing and farming.
00:13:34So, almost every area in Awayan, in Liburon, in mga neighboring anin nila nga barangay.
00:13:43Like, dili kang maglisod, mangita, o g-maker during that time.
00:13:47Way back 2005, 2008, before importations giyod.
00:13:52And then, mabay pa pod na to sila nga barato.
00:13:55Kayo, wala pa man kayo competition.
00:13:56Until nisulod ang importations, like Taiwan, China, and then cheaper na giyod.
00:14:03But especially, caro na na is Shopee, or mass-produced.
00:14:07That's why in Mildi Mancrafted Creations, kayo, we really empower the consumer about the,
00:14:13we're not just selling the product, but we're also telling the story behind the creation.
00:14:18So, you mentioned the story behind the creation.
00:14:22So, tell us the story behind the designs.
00:14:25But prior to that, maybe you can share also a story of one of your artisans.
00:14:30How Mildi changed their lives?
00:14:35Before, amazing, kayo, nag-start ko, Jod, na-observe na ako from smallest to biggest manufacturers therein.
00:14:46Pero nagkita na ako nga, kayo, nang himo lang sila, Jod, himo.
00:14:49And then, in Mildi, naka-think ko nga, if ever, if na ako'y own, naka-nabitawong creation hub,
00:14:57ma-lead na ako sila in a way na from simple nga chanelas,
00:15:02makahimok pa dahil sila into shoes, heels, kayo, mga basic nga man dyan ang design nila na himok.
00:15:08So, we're also empowering their pride, bitaw nga,
00:15:10Kuya, you're not just a shoemaker, but you are a shoemaker.
00:15:14Not everyone can make shoes.
00:15:16Even in Italy, it's a profession, a four-year course,
00:15:19but Dirisa Karkar, 10 years old pa lang mo, craft na ninyo, nadala ninyo.
00:15:25So, I'm very blessed nga, nga konti karoon kayo na sa mga 30s to 40s.
00:15:30So, naapadiyo yung marag hope na mapasa siya sa next generation.
00:15:34So, which is, that's why you're also doing workshops.
00:15:38So, the purpose of the workshop is?
00:15:41The purpose of the workshop is to showcase na naapadiyay livelihood nga ing ani, Dirisa Cebu.
00:15:48So, even in Manila, in Marikina.
00:15:51Then, by the way, my mentors are in Marikina.
00:15:54So, I am blessed with the supporters' guide nag-surround sa ako.
00:15:58So, in the artisans, ma'am, is we provide them the right pay.
00:16:05And then, we did promotions.
00:16:09So, from basic maker, nahimok na siyang shoemaster.
00:16:12We upskilled them, yes.
00:16:14Oh, nice, nice.
00:16:15So, like, mga tanong ko sa ila, Kuya, naamay na niya sa una siya.
00:16:18So, wala yun na, na, na, na-anida ay ma-promote.
00:16:21So, we have awarding, recognition, pinaka-best nga ni Himo during that year.
00:16:28We're investing on the character.
00:16:30Because, I believe, ang skill is ma-learn siya.
00:16:33But, if character nakitaan ako si artisan o character nga, he and she can be more.
00:16:39So, makaingon ko nga ay serve my purpose.
00:16:41Yeah, so, ma'amay na imuhang, is it safe to say nga, ma'amay na imuhang why?
00:16:47What's really your why?
00:16:48My why is that, if I do this thing, if I'll choose this shoemaking over my profession,
00:16:58one move na ako, or one, I mean, one decision na ako nga mo-create o creation have
00:17:08where they can exclusively express their creativity in shoes,
00:17:13daghan o impact.
00:17:15Like, daily lang akong life.
00:17:16Correct.
00:17:17Like, the families, they're offering their, ano, it serves as livelihood.
00:17:24So, it's more than just bitaw a livelihood to them.
00:17:27So, nagita na ako nga happy sila nga, naa sila yung aning nakaroon sa ilaha.
00:17:33If only we can interview them also, no?
00:17:35Yeah, we will visit soon.
00:17:37They are my why.
00:17:38Ah, I love it.
00:17:40They are my why.
00:17:41So, the people behind the sandals or the creations,
00:17:44mo imuhang why.
00:17:46Okay, very nice.
00:17:48Mahilak nga ka, mam.
00:17:50Okay, so, let's talk more about the story, no?
00:17:54Ano yung mga designs?
00:17:56If we can request na ato nang ipocus, kayo nidot kayo,
00:18:00ikang mga sandals here.
00:18:02Sige, Mel.
00:18:04Talk to us, ay mga designs ka na adin hi.
00:18:06Okay, so, we're in the category na slow fashion,
00:18:11in a way na handmade jeans, ya, no?
00:18:14Stitch.
00:18:14Yes, yung hand-made jeod kayo ang ato ang process.
00:18:20So, ang pagkat, ang pagpattern.
00:18:23So, we call this upper making process.
00:18:27Can you see?
00:18:27Mauna na itong strap.
00:18:28So, out from the pattern making na process,
00:18:33for example, imagine, ingani ang yung pattern.
00:18:36Wow.
00:18:37So, ingani ka marabag, makahappi sa heart,
00:18:41if you are very, ano, sa creativity with how.
00:18:44So, like, out from this, makapur makaani.
00:18:48Wow, amazing.
00:18:49Oo.
00:18:49So, imagine also, we're not just impacting on the local shoemaking,
00:18:54but also, we're collaborating with local weavers
00:18:57in different areas and islands of the Philippines,
00:19:01Luzon, besides Mindanao, and this,
00:19:03specifically, yakan in Mindanao.
00:19:05Mindanao.
00:19:05Oo.
00:19:05Like, pwede de-ideally lang leather,
00:19:08leatherette ang atong imo,
00:19:10ugsiu.
00:19:11Mas maka-impact na siya sa local communities,
00:19:13like local weavers and bunning makers for our packaging.
00:19:17Wow, nice.
00:19:18And then, after that,
00:19:21proceed na na to siya sa lower making,
00:19:25in which we use hulma.
00:19:27Parang mara siya huwag ka ng atong tiil.
00:19:29So, during mag-start,
00:19:30gitawag siyang shoe last,
00:19:31or vernacularly hulma.
00:19:33So, the pattern,
00:19:35di re siya i-drawing,
00:19:37di re ang balancing.
00:19:38After that, kay upper making.
00:19:40After sa upper making,
00:19:42si lower making na dayon siya
00:19:43to construct the entirety of the shoe.
00:19:46Oo.
00:19:46So, it mauna ni ang ato,
00:19:48ang finished product.
00:19:49So, it started with this?
00:19:51Yes.
00:19:52Maka niya, finished product, guys.
00:19:53Oo.
00:19:54So, it started with this,
00:19:56and then mauna niya.
00:19:57Amazing.
00:19:58Like, maamaze ka,
00:19:59di ha, kamarag.
00:20:00One of reasons nga ka na ito,
00:20:02makafuel more sa craft.
00:20:05So, if you only see the hands,
00:20:07that, especially the heart,
00:20:09paghimo nila,
00:20:10anino kay very handcrafted niya.
00:20:12We're also using wood,
00:20:13this is a sustainably source.
00:20:15Wood siya nga,
00:20:17gicraft po,
00:20:18dili lang bita,
00:20:19o readily forma,
00:20:20but gicraft po siya.
00:20:21So, kamugiha po na gicraft ka na.
00:20:22Yes.
00:20:23Okay siya.
00:20:24So, each part,
00:20:25good.
00:20:25Igi ka ninyo na.
00:20:26Oo.
00:20:27Then, also,
00:20:28we are offering a,
00:20:30not just the design-wise,
00:20:32but also the comfiness,
00:20:34sa ito ang footbed,
00:20:35in which maog yu'y,
00:20:36function,
00:20:38dapat na.
00:20:39Dapat.
00:20:39Comfortable ta.
00:20:40Wearable siya.
00:20:41Yes,
00:20:42gicombine na to siya locally
00:20:44in modern way,
00:20:46but make sure po na mga wearable siya.
00:20:48Yeah.
00:20:49Dili sa chagahi, no?
00:20:50Dili.
00:20:51Oh, okay.
00:20:51Soft ka siya,
00:20:52same sa kong heart.
00:20:55Very nice.
00:20:57Nice siya nga collaboration.
00:20:58So, if you guys want this
00:21:01and you want to resell,
00:21:02you can message Mel.
00:21:04So, what about,
00:21:05what sa pa man other products
00:21:06that you have here?
00:21:07Aside from local weaves,
00:21:09we're also using genuine leather.
00:21:11For example,
00:21:11this client from Florida, USA.
00:21:14So, we're not just local,
00:21:15na global na giyad siya.
00:21:16So, thankful ko sa mga artisans dyan nga.
00:21:20Ilahang,
00:21:21na-standardize na giyad nila
00:21:22ang maildim finished product.
00:21:24So, kanin siya genuine leather.
00:21:26So, pwede ka ayo,
00:21:28if, unsay gusto ninyo nga material,
00:21:30as long as it's doable,
00:21:32the design is doable,
00:21:33and the material is available.
00:21:35Pwede na to siya makustomize
00:21:36sa gusto ni mga concept
00:21:37for your own brand.
00:21:39Yeah.
00:21:39Mga pila pa ni Kainchas, no?
00:21:41Around five.
00:21:42Nice ka yun ni for pageants.
00:21:45Pageants.
00:21:45Or events.
00:21:46Or events, no?
00:21:47Where you're wearing a piece of saloon.
00:21:51And then, our best selling,
00:21:52the Hermes-inspired na design,
00:21:55na kaya pa dahin mo himo
00:21:57sa Filipino version.
00:21:58By the way,
00:21:59money among giveaways.
00:22:00Wow, guys.
00:22:02Money among giveaways.
00:22:03So, ano,
00:22:05kinsa ang mga lucky three winners.
00:22:07So, you have your flat,
00:22:09and then,
00:22:09actually,
00:22:10you have kitten shoes.
00:22:11Yes, kitten heels.
00:22:14Kitten heels.
00:22:15Low heels.
00:22:15So, nice ka siya, guys.
00:22:17Nice ka siya.
00:22:17Look, money among giveaways.
00:22:18So, keep on commenting,
00:22:20sharing,
00:22:21liking.
00:22:22So, Kaini,
00:22:23this is the Valentino
00:22:24inspired.
00:22:26Grabe siya ka-intricate.
00:22:27Kay one by one,
00:22:28jod na mo siya gibutang.
00:22:30And,
00:22:31naasya yung murag,
00:22:32gitawag na mo siya
00:22:32ngipon.
00:22:33Like,
00:22:34ang stud niya na yung
00:22:35ngipon sa likod nga.
00:22:36Tagsa-tagsaun pa na mo siya,
00:22:37yung ana,
00:22:38para ma-accurate ang mga pagkabutang,
00:22:40na ma-balance each.
00:22:41Very handmade goods siya.
00:22:43And then,
00:22:43naabot na din siya sa Australia.
00:22:45Yay!
00:22:45Thank you kayo sa nag-order na mo
00:22:47deha sa Australia.
00:22:48So, rebranded na din sa Australia.
00:22:50Mildim brand.
00:22:51We're bringing the brand
00:22:52in Australia.
00:22:53Nice, nice.
00:22:54Guys,
00:22:54if you want to rebrand
00:22:55or create your own line,
00:22:57no,
00:22:58sa footwear,
00:22:59you can always message to them.
00:23:01So,
00:23:01Kaini,
00:23:02money mga pang-mama
00:23:03or nang sama ni siya
00:23:04pang-mothers day?
00:23:06Yes,
00:23:06pwede kayo even
00:23:07delete mom
00:23:08kay,
00:23:09kung an siya,
00:23:09a go-to,
00:23:11your go-to
00:23:12low-heeled sandal.
00:23:14Pwede ni mo,
00:23:15casual,
00:23:15pwede dress,
00:23:16pwede formal events.
00:23:18Yes,
00:23:18especially mga working professionals.
00:23:20Pwede kaayon na ya kay,
00:23:22ang convenience,
00:23:23we taong niya nga hubo,
00:23:24suot, hubo.
00:23:25So,
00:23:26maudjud kaayon.
00:23:27Ang trend,
00:23:27karon niya,
00:23:28minimalist lang iya hang design.
00:23:30But you can really,
00:23:31I mean,
00:23:32you can really appreciate
00:23:33the pulido,
00:23:35the cleanliness
00:23:36and the confidence
00:23:37sa iya hang footbed.
00:23:39Dini siya,
00:23:40in fairness ha,
00:23:41because,
00:23:42hili men said,
00:23:42kung mga handmade
00:23:43yun niya products,
00:23:44of course,
00:23:44is na lokal.
00:23:46Naikuy,
00:23:47mga nabantayan sa,
00:23:48sa una,
00:23:49nga gahi siya.
00:23:50In fairness siya,
00:23:52dini siya sakit.
00:23:53Kanang,
00:23:54kaniganing apart.
00:23:55Sakit siya,
00:23:56magwaran na kag,
00:23:57mag,
00:23:57mag,
00:23:57maluthan.
00:23:58Maluthan.
00:24:00But in fairness,
00:24:01ilahadili siya.
00:24:02Is there like a secret to that
00:24:05nga rinike siya sakit?
00:24:07Usa siya sa pinaka-invested kaayo sa Mildim
00:24:10because we really use higher grade na quality leather
00:24:14compare sa amuang na himo before.
00:24:17So,
00:24:18sige,
00:24:18June,
00:24:18may ugglearn.
00:24:19Onsapag yun ang makahatag
00:24:20o gong confidence sa customer nga musuot
00:24:22na it will give them a wow feedback.
00:24:25So,
00:24:26ang gitawag na to siya,
00:24:27backlining,
00:24:29so backing.
00:24:30So,
00:24:30even how nice ang imong material sa front,
00:24:32sa upper,
00:24:33or sa main material sa imong upper,
00:24:36if sakit ang diri sa backing,
00:24:39so,
00:24:39di gapon siya comfy.
00:24:41So,
00:24:42amuang niyusta
00:24:43o backlining na higher quality nga material.
00:24:47Ah,
00:24:47that's why.
00:24:48Naadina,
00:24:48it has something to do with the material uses.
00:24:50The leather.
00:24:51It's also leather.
00:24:52So,
00:24:53you also have here,
00:24:54wow,
00:24:54nice,
00:24:54kayo ni guys.
00:24:55For the summer collection.
00:24:57The summer collection.
00:24:58Manama ng 5 de Mayo.
00:25:01Yes,
00:25:02pwede,
00:25:03June,
00:25:03you can play along bitaw
00:25:04sa pag-grap sa shoe.
00:25:05Like,
00:25:06you can,
00:25:06oh,
00:25:07if,
00:25:08if delay na summer,
00:25:09or if ka nang medyo
00:25:10OA na dyan siya,
00:25:11isuot,
00:25:11no?
00:25:12So,
00:25:12instead of,
00:25:13ano lang siya,
00:25:13atasan mo siya ibutang.
00:25:16Dekor,
00:25:16deker lang.
00:25:17Paginig ba siya sakit?
00:25:18Wait,
00:25:19gitago dahi siya.
00:25:20Let me try.
00:25:22Let's see.
00:25:22What's up ni?
00:25:23Um,
00:25:26small size,
00:25:27small size.
00:25:28Uy,
00:25:28hindi siya sa gabal,
00:25:30actually.
00:25:30But,
00:25:31nakapajuntay.
00:25:31Hindi siya sa gabal,
00:25:33na,
00:25:33na,
00:25:34itong work clip.
00:25:35Oo.
00:25:35Guys,
00:25:36nice siya.
00:25:37Pero,
00:25:37ako,
00:25:37teal,
00:25:38mo,
00:25:38nakapot.
00:25:40For an appajuntay way,
00:25:41Anna nga,
00:25:42itago na mo siya.
00:25:43Cute ka,
00:25:43yung,
00:25:44ang iyang heels,
00:25:45no?
00:25:45Hill design.
00:25:46Said kay siya katong pointed,
00:25:47kay matuwad,
00:25:48kung tatong.
00:25:49Maka,
00:25:49mabalance rito yung mo,
00:25:50hang weight dire,
00:25:51because,
00:25:52hang top piece,
00:25:53or,
00:25:53we call it,
00:25:53chapa.
00:25:54Chapa.
00:25:55Then,
00:25:55you have also,
00:25:58yes,
00:25:59this is genuine leather,
00:26:00for the,
00:26:01uh,
00:26:01client nato sa Florida,
00:26:03USA.
00:26:03She's an OFW,
00:26:05na,
00:26:05sila ipagent,
00:26:06uh,
00:26:07branding dito.
00:26:08So,
00:26:09more on heels,
00:26:09ilaha,
00:26:10ingan siya,
00:26:11ngamil,
00:26:11I want my shoe na genuine.
00:26:13So,
00:26:14we do R&D also,
00:26:15sa mga other material,
00:26:17nang wala pa na to,
00:26:17na try,
00:26:18uh,
00:26:19mawto ni,
00:26:19ni product developed,
00:26:21yun mihan to,
00:26:21masatisfy na mo,
00:26:23si customer,
00:26:23para sa iyahang brand,
00:26:25this one is genuine leather.
00:26:26When you say genuine leather,
00:26:29what does it mean?
00:26:29Animal,
00:26:29animal-based leather,
00:26:30like kid na pa,
00:26:32or,
00:26:32from goat,
00:26:33from cow,
00:26:34from,
00:26:35uh,
00:26:36tupa,
00:26:37sheep.
00:26:37Sheep.
00:26:38Pigskin.
00:26:38Huwag na may mga synthetic nga.
00:26:40Synthetic man-made leathers.
00:26:42Oo.
00:26:43So,
00:26:43mas makayugid na kay mga soft.
00:26:45Uh,
00:26:45mas mahalang dyan si genuine leather.
00:26:48So,
00:26:48it makes sense,
00:26:49guys,
00:26:49sometimes,
00:26:49wife would wear,
00:26:50especially handcrafted niya,
00:26:52pulido.
00:26:53It can be pricey,
00:26:54because the raw materials,
00:26:56di li raman ang bugasan ni mga,
00:26:58huwag ang gasolina,
00:27:00mga raw materials,
00:27:01actually,
00:27:01mahal na kayo.
00:27:02And the labor.
00:27:03Labor pagyud,
00:27:03orlangan man sadug,
00:27:05um,
00:27:05kitara ang malipay,
00:27:07especially ato mga artisans,
00:27:08ha,
00:27:08imagine,
00:27:09um,
00:27:10laen,
00:27:11akong take,
00:27:12mangod,
00:27:13I may be biased,
00:27:14but I have been talking to a lot of artisans,
00:27:16dun,
00:27:17because of Isla Lokal.
00:27:19And one thing I noticed,
00:27:20is they settle for less.
00:27:21Yes.
00:27:22Because,
00:27:23because,
00:27:24that's what,
00:27:26some people are willing to pay.
00:27:27Hmm.
00:27:28Hmm.
00:27:28They say,
00:27:29uh,
00:27:30mora man ni ilahang willing ibayad.
00:27:33If amon siag isa ka,
00:27:34they will complain,
00:27:35nga nung mahal man,
00:27:36handicraft raman na.
00:27:38To me,
00:27:39um,
00:27:40that's very heartbreaking.
00:27:41Yes.
00:27:41Why not pay for something that's handmade?
00:27:43And the value.
00:27:44And the value.
00:27:45And the story behind it.
00:27:47Why can't we support big corporations,
00:27:51but not handcrafters?
00:27:53Like small business.
00:27:54And these handcrafters,
00:27:56these artisans,
00:27:56maula ba yan sila ilahin paginabuhihan?
00:27:58Yes.
00:27:59Maula ba yan yud ni?
00:28:00So,
00:28:01if we continue nga,
00:28:03sige,
00:28:03barato lang kay local siya,
00:28:05or hunsa,
00:28:05na,
00:28:06di aarasa yudsa't sila kutob,
00:28:08so,
00:28:08dinis at pwede nga,
00:28:09nakitaraan mo ang hati.
00:28:10Yes.
00:28:10Dapat,
00:28:11tabangan yud na ito sa sila.
00:28:12Ngamuangat.
00:28:13That's why naamo,
00:28:14ang mga merchants,
00:28:16ang mga business owners,
00:28:18ngamuang mo employ,
00:28:19or create a community for them.
00:28:21And naapod ang mga enablers
00:28:24in the community,
00:28:25especially Sun Star,
00:28:26si Isla Lokal is here also,
00:28:28and other government agencies
00:28:30and NGOs,
00:28:31na magtinabangay yud ta,
00:28:33because we have to be,
00:28:35really have to be helping each other.
00:28:37Dapat,
00:28:37djud na siya.
00:28:38Yes,
00:28:38especially sa local livelihood.
00:28:40Yes.
00:28:41Okay,
00:28:41originated good siya
00:28:42sa yung mohang place.
00:28:43Yes.
00:28:44So,
00:28:44I hope we continue,
00:28:45no,
00:28:45to support
00:28:46handcrafters
00:28:49ka na yud.
00:28:50In Carkar,
00:28:51in Marikina,
00:28:51in Laguna.
00:28:53Yeah,
00:28:53bisag-asa kay,
00:28:54kay Dibiag Yudlalim.
00:28:56Dibiag Yudlalim.
00:28:57Then there's another one,
00:28:59kanisha.
00:29:00I remember college day,
00:29:02I think,
00:29:02inani ang,
00:29:03manawedge.
00:29:04Inani ang hilig,
00:29:05namu.
00:29:06I feel like,
00:29:07bach-bach rata.
00:29:08So,
00:29:09kanina mga wedge,
00:29:10yun niya,
00:29:10lahi ilang to.
00:29:11Ang ako,
00:29:11ang favorite ato,
00:29:12is not to shame,
00:29:13orgs,
00:29:13nangyong koan.
00:29:16So,
00:29:17asa manigika,
00:29:17nangyong mohang koan.
00:29:19Yes.
00:29:20Collaboration.
00:29:20In collaboration of
00:29:22Abaca,
00:29:23Abaca,
00:29:24I mean,
00:29:25the Philippines,
00:29:26reached kayo siya
00:29:26sa mga local materials,
00:29:28like Abaca,
00:29:29Raffia.
00:29:29Raffia mainly in
00:29:31Bohol.
00:29:31Reach kayo siya sa Bohol
00:29:33and Banig in Negros.
00:29:34So,
00:29:36we are more on collaboration
00:29:37than competition.
00:29:38So,
00:29:39we collaborate
00:29:39with local community
00:29:42na nakita
00:29:43na mo,
00:29:43for example,
00:29:44the Banig,
00:29:44nakita na ko siya,
00:29:45asa man siya dapat,
00:29:46pwede ma incorporate na to
00:29:47sa footwear.
00:29:48So,
00:29:49pwede de siya sa toang packaging.
00:29:51Ang mga local materials,
00:29:53less ra kayo
00:29:54ang naka-appreciate nila.
00:29:55Asa man na to siya
00:29:56pwede ma incorporate
00:29:56sa shoe,
00:29:57na wearable sa siya.
00:29:58So,
00:29:59among ginabuta nga,
00:30:01asa siya dapat sa shoe nga,
00:30:03kanabitong,
00:30:04makita gihapon iyang beauty.
00:30:06So,
00:30:07si Wedge,
00:30:08sa kanipod nga product
00:30:09is,
00:30:09ang very unique niya is,
00:30:11when I see
00:30:13Wedge na design
00:30:15kay bulky,
00:30:16kay siya tanahon.
00:30:17So,
00:30:17ang gihin mo sa Mildim
00:30:18is,
00:30:19nangita siya
00:30:19niyong material nga,
00:30:21get trial and error
00:30:21yun na mo
00:30:22until ma-weight na ko siya,
00:30:25na comfy siya.
00:30:26So,
00:30:26gaan ato ang wedge,
00:30:28or gaan ato ang wedge,
00:30:30wedge,
00:30:30lightweight kay siya.
00:30:32Para pwede kaysa
00:30:33from 8am to 5pm
00:30:35na,
00:30:35pwede sa dantod sa gabi,
00:30:38inin mo isuot.
00:30:38Pwede sa pang everyday pag yun,
00:30:40mo ba yag yun ni ang,
00:30:42mo mo balance ang wedge,
00:30:44ba yag yun ka sigaran.
00:30:45But how do you ensure,
00:30:47because,
00:30:48na ay times before,
00:30:50na nakapalit po kog wedge,
00:30:51I delete sa to siya karkar,
00:30:53na lahi sa to siya.
00:30:54Ganang,
00:30:54ang problem is,
00:30:55matang-tang ganini,
00:30:56kay,
00:30:57kuwan ba yun siya,
00:30:58plus,
00:30:59leather,
00:31:00plus,
00:31:01kanini,
00:31:02how do you ensure nga,
00:31:03ka mo mga good,
00:31:04basig mo,
00:31:04misconception sa mga tao ba?
00:31:07Yes.
00:31:07Ang tangraman na,
00:31:08dahil yun go?
00:31:08So far,
00:31:09sa pag-wrap na mo,
00:31:11Ani,
00:31:11sa abaka is,
00:31:13we ensure to use
00:31:15strong adhesive,
00:31:16like,
00:31:17wala na mo,
00:31:17industrial adhesive.
00:31:18Wala na mo siya,
00:31:19gimixan,
00:31:20o mas barato ng adhesive.
00:31:22It's pure adhesive.
00:31:24So,
00:31:24there are types of chemicals,
00:31:26nga,
00:31:26ka nang,
00:31:27iigamit na to sa shoe.
00:31:28So,
00:31:29na ay contact cement,
00:31:30na ay strong adhesive,
00:31:31like,
00:31:31dilira ragbi.
00:31:33So,
00:31:33ang nga mong giyusani is,
00:31:34greater than rugby.
00:31:36So,
00:31:37pure gin siya,
00:31:38wala siya,
00:31:38gimix.
00:31:38One of the,
00:31:39um,
00:31:41secret of Mildem,
00:31:43why,
00:31:43di na siya secret,
00:31:44so,
00:31:44so,
00:31:45one of the reason,
00:31:47why taas ito ang costing,
00:31:48is we really use pure adhesive.
00:31:51Yeah,
00:31:51which is very understandable.
00:31:52If you want quality product,
00:31:54also,
00:31:54it comes with quality,
00:31:56raw materials,
00:31:57and the longevity,
00:31:59di ba,
00:32:00sa iyahang,
00:32:01sa,
00:32:01sa pag-amit ni mo,
00:32:03sa iyahang materials.
00:32:05So,
00:32:06kanita na,
00:32:07you are,
00:32:08um,
00:32:10also doing,
00:32:11because I understand,
00:32:11you are from Karkar,
00:32:13and you feel strongly about preserving the industry in Karkar,
00:32:17and even if I'm not in Karkar,
00:32:18um,
00:32:20of course,
00:32:21as a sub one,
00:32:21no,
00:32:22as a Filipino,
00:32:22we,
00:32:23we want to preserve,
00:32:24no,
00:32:25um,
00:32:26craftmanship of Karkar,
00:32:27which is shoemaking.
00:32:29So,
00:32:30your workshop,
00:32:31serves as,
00:32:32um,
00:32:33koan siya,
00:32:34ka nang,
00:32:34it's like a support for the next generation.
00:32:36Yes,
00:32:37like,
00:32:38to empower the next generation,
00:32:40it's not just about,
00:32:41ah,
00:32:42some,
00:32:42mostly,
00:32:43sa na-observe na ako sa Gen Z,
00:32:44or the new generation,
00:32:46na,
00:32:46ni-choose na gand sila,
00:32:47o,
00:32:47o,
00:32:48o,
00:32:48technology,
00:32:49o,
00:32:49over local livelihood.
00:32:51So,
00:32:51less na kayo nag,
00:32:52ano,
00:32:52fishing,
00:32:53farming,
00:32:54and this,
00:32:54uh,
00:32:54shoemaking,
00:32:55no.
00:32:56So,
00:32:56by,
00:32:57uh,
00:32:57doing workshops,
00:32:58we're empowering the next generation,
00:33:01na makitaan ta nila,
00:33:02o,
00:33:02potential,
00:33:03makita nila po,
00:33:04nga na po'y potensyal sila,
00:33:06ah,
00:33:06through creativity side nila,
00:33:08no.
00:33:08So,
00:33:08mga fashion designers,
00:33:09or even engineers.
00:33:11Kaya,
00:33:11if ma-innovate na gyan ang shoemaking here in the Philippines,
00:33:15masuportaan,
00:33:15mangood,
00:33:16said siya,
00:33:16o,
00:33:17machine,
00:33:17na,
00:33:17mas ma-pulido po d'ang ato ang paghimo.
00:33:20Yeah,
00:33:20and,
00:33:21yeah,
00:33:21it's totally true,
00:33:22it's really true nga,
00:33:24kasi karan said karun,
00:33:25murag,
00:33:25arin na lang,
00:33:26daghana kaayor,
00:33:27pwede mahimo online,
00:33:28no,
00:33:28nga,
00:33:29ah,
00:33:29easy money,
00:33:30convenient na lang,
00:33:32but,
00:33:33I feel like,
00:33:34that's what,
00:33:34we are also campaigning for,
00:33:36not just si Mildim,
00:33:38but,
00:33:39kita tanan,
00:33:40like kami,
00:33:41kami with Sunstar,
00:33:42with Isla Local,
00:33:42that's what we are campaigning for,
00:33:44na,
00:33:44di li ni Mawa ang handcraft industry,
00:33:47yes,
00:33:48especially the makers,
00:33:50nga,
00:33:50naagyod ki hapon siya,
00:33:52ah,
00:33:53because,
00:33:53mo said na,
00:33:55mag-unsa naman lang,
00:33:56kung magsige na lang,
00:33:56sa doog content creation,
00:33:58yes,
00:33:58so,
00:33:59osasad na,
00:33:59na,
00:34:00you're,
00:34:00you're not just touching,
00:34:01ah,
00:34:02you're not just,
00:34:02ah,
00:34:03doing this for,
00:34:04your life,
00:34:04but,
00:34:05the impact,
00:34:06yod,
00:34:06more than your life,
00:34:07a lot of people,
00:34:08yung,
00:34:08ma-suportan,
00:34:09especially,
00:34:10food,
00:34:11for the table,
00:34:11food on their table,
00:34:12sa ilahang family,
00:34:14so,
00:34:14main livelihood,
00:34:15yod ni nila,
00:34:16so,
00:34:17we will talk more about the industry,
00:34:21we will talk more about the products later,
00:34:24about innovation,
00:34:25after this short break,
00:34:28but,
00:34:29but,
00:34:29before we continue,
00:34:30I would like to take,
00:34:31to,
00:34:31take a quick moment,
00:34:33to thank our sponsor,
00:34:35if you're looking for a way,
00:34:36to support your back,
00:34:38during long hours,
00:34:39sitting,
00:34:40the air-powered,
00:34:42lumbar support belt,
00:34:43from Well Empire,
00:34:44is a game changer,
00:34:46we also would like to thank,
00:34:47Arte Casa,
00:34:48for sponsoring,
00:34:49our beautiful setup for today,
00:34:51Arte Casa,
00:34:52home and interiors,
00:34:53create thoughtful,
00:34:54livable spaces,
00:34:55with timeless furnitures,
00:34:57that are not only beautiful,
00:34:58but also very affordable,
00:35:00so,
00:35:00if you have a condo,
00:35:01if you have,
00:35:03you have,
00:35:04you want the decorations,
00:35:06or interior designing,
00:35:08incorporating,
00:35:09mga handcrafted,
00:35:11also,
00:35:11na mga furniture pieces,
00:35:14then you can contact,
00:35:15Arte Casa,
00:35:16so,
00:35:17stay tuned,
00:35:17we'll be back,
00:35:19very shortly.
00:35:25For generations,
00:35:55our artisans,
00:35:56have poured their sweat,
00:35:57and soul,
00:35:57into their work,
00:35:59they shape our culture,
00:36:01with their hands,
00:36:02but behind every masterpiece,
00:36:05there's a struggle,
00:36:06hours,
00:36:07days,
00:36:08weeks,
00:36:09to create something beautiful,
00:36:11and yet,
00:36:13their hard work,
00:36:14is undervalued,
00:36:15their art,
00:36:15often sold,
00:36:16for less than it's worth.
00:36:18If you're,
00:36:18if you're,
00:36:19if you're,
00:36:19if you're,
00:36:20if you're,
00:36:20if you're,
00:36:21if you're,
00:36:21if you're,
00:36:22if you're,
00:36:22if you're,
00:36:22if you're,
00:36:22if you're,
00:36:23if you're,
00:36:23if you're,
00:36:24many remain unseen,
00:36:42unknown,
00:36:43their stories untold,
00:36:45their talent,
00:36:46unnoticed by the world.
00:36:48This is why,
00:36:50Isla Lokal exists,
00:36:52to give a voice,
00:36:53to the hands,
00:36:53that shape our culture,
00:36:55to bring the beauty,
00:36:56of every island,
00:36:57into the spotlight,
00:36:59here at home,
00:37:00and across the globe.
00:37:01Mag-anthos,
00:37:02rick niyini,
00:37:02di siyong sa kabarato,
00:37:04ka umaylai,
00:37:05niyong namahuan,
00:37:06nga,
00:37:07panginabuhian.
00:37:08Through digital marketing,
00:37:09we connect local artisans,
00:37:11from all islands,
00:37:12of the Philippines,
00:37:13to the world.
00:37:14With every purchase,
00:37:16you help preserve their craft,
00:37:18their stories,
00:37:19and their future.
00:37:21Discover the stories behind every piece,
00:37:24at Isla Lokal.
00:37:26We started way back in 2014.
00:37:28One of the requirements of my students is to craft an extension proposal,
00:37:33based on community needs in Argao,
00:37:36or neighboring barangay.
00:37:37My students would like to find out,
00:37:39why Hinablon sa Cebu,
00:37:40during that time lang,
00:37:42was about to die.
00:37:44Dying na siya,
00:37:45hapit na siya,
00:37:45mawala,
00:37:46gud na siya.
00:37:47So after that one,
00:37:49we created a project proposal,
00:37:51and we proposed it,
00:37:52for funding,
00:37:53dito sa City Humane Campus,
00:37:55na tao,
00:37:55ang gitawag,
00:37:56o,
00:37:57Hinablon sa Argao.
00:37:59Sa Akoan lang,
00:38:02nako,
00:38:02nikatabang sa Akoa,
00:38:04kaitungod,
00:38:04nga wala akong kakuman o iskwela,
00:38:06wala akong ilain nga panguanan sa pagpatrabaho.
00:38:10So,
00:38:11bisan o inani lang ako ang trabaho,
00:38:13nako,
00:38:14pagkaayong kong pasalamat siya po ang mga ginikanan,
00:38:17na naapun sila,
00:38:18na nabilin ba,
00:38:20kaya gikansugin silang katigulangan.
00:38:21Nagsugod naman niya mo sa Akoag yung Papa,
00:38:29akong Papa,
00:38:30siya nagtudlo naman ni Tanan.
00:38:31So, Tanan magsoon na mo,
00:38:32akong Papa.
00:38:34Yan naghihimot naman niya,
00:38:35sa Ako lang sa akong design,
00:38:36naghihimot ako ni mga tulong nakatuig.
00:38:38Manang yung metalis gamit naman,
00:38:39tukog,
00:38:40niya odlos lubi.
00:38:41Delin siya katong paluas lubi,
00:38:43katong paluas lubi,
00:38:44mabali man to i-negrave naman mo,
00:38:46manang odlos,
00:38:46yun mo ipangita.
00:38:47Yan manang tukog,
00:38:48ugkawayan,
00:38:48ang kalambri mo,
00:38:49na igamit nga mo sa pagbibhin mo,
00:38:50oning Christmas tree.
00:38:55About materialism,
00:38:57ma'am,
00:38:57bisod pangitan ang tukog,
00:38:59pag ka nang,
00:39:00kailangan linghod amang gamitin ng tukog,
00:39:02kay diliman to pwede katong,
00:39:04buwang na,
00:39:05kay malugti naman siya.
00:39:19ato erbiz na pravijatik,
00:39:20ku po ay kailangan ng duna in kuih,
00:39:23imme no lukun,
00:39:23yang diira ang isi ya.
00:39:25ase angadiro,
00:39:28索 ay pagetik.
00:39:29s霧u,
00:39:31tiahefu,
00:39:37xin na ka lari,
00:39:39emie,
00:39:40pa ...
00:39:41si
00:39:42ndo
00:39:42okay so we're back and we will check our live viewers so hello to you can read
00:39:57you have we have viewers so you can check hello to kenny dawn siloria dodong kimbo
00:40:05johnny opiazza joshua long long no kenny uh mabelle doria mabelle doria and yes so live uh guys
00:40:20continue to share this post continue to share this um live interview and comment share because we will
00:40:29be giving away three pairs we will be picking three winners of sandals so kadinga sandal
00:40:35yes our best selling design nice casia so we call it habakkuk habakkuk habakkuk the designing
00:40:43all right so now let's talk about the behind the scenes no so the issue right now or the challenge
00:40:49right now is the shortage of skilled showmakers uh what's really happening and i'm a shortage i know
00:40:58you mentioned people are transitioning to other jobs because of other opportunities but what's
00:41:05really the the issue or the challenge yes the issue but the challenge yes the root challenge uh with
00:41:12this and not just in show making but all of the um local craft is the importations again so like mostly
00:41:21the local will embrace more of the important products again and nawalaan na judo less na jika
00:41:28ayo ang na in love sa local craft especially we cannot compete with the cheap uh pricing with the
00:41:35importation so did to nag start if wala na i demand magkawala po na nga to ang artisans so in mildim yes
00:41:43we're just a small family of um makers at ato ang uh mildim production but uh slowly na hinahinay na to
00:41:53ito ang showcase na ma recognize again uh this type of livelihood through our workshops and
00:41:59collaborating with brand owners na sila po na ay business opportunity na maka retail into consumers
00:42:06po na daghan dili lang si mildim daghan na ta na maka showcase sa product product correct so i like the
00:42:14business model okay you're not just a retailer but you're also into b2b so if you guys want i think
00:42:22apart from getting profit out of it being a reseller you're also helping get the story across
00:42:29people around the world you help distribute the story of car car of handcrafting and if we actually
00:42:39continue to to have the demand no no they will not really steal among good man because i know for sure
00:42:51demand keep up mangyudi hapon ang mga chew makers liba so we'll keep them busy guys um we will continue to
00:43:00support them and while it is technology is also good but at some point it has
00:43:08affected the way we do things no so from slow fashion to fast fashion
00:43:15what are your thoughts about slow fashion and fast fashion how did it
00:43:20affect your business yes it's far different from each other it's the
00:43:26opposite from each other knowing when it comes to fast fashion and they made it
00:43:32in massive production mostly machine made while in slow fashion intricately
00:43:39made handmade by judcia intricately handmade by it in just small batches so
00:43:46must ma appreciate me music rough yeah dilly dilly bitow the hankag makita nga
00:43:52with this the same of design so it's really showcasing judy craft through
00:43:58handmade products compared to fast fashion in which you can just easily check
00:44:04out or in the yellow basket it's easy to produce the because of the technology and
00:44:11machine that they're using also we are not just we're not just offering quality
00:44:19handmade products but we're really supporting the artisans with the right
00:44:23pay with the right labor recognizing them promoting them in a way now
00:44:29humanitarian buggy happen I mean there's always hard creations correct so we don't
00:44:35exploit them yes in a way no which is understandable okay if you are running or
00:44:42if you're producing something from machine so less um gas tool yes and labor so you can offer it for a
00:44:49cheaper price yes um but my thoughts on that is there are some na visit kayan indud so you can
00:44:56wear it like a few times lang oh but for slow fashion especially for handicraft um
00:45:04so it will last you for how many months years even years I remember in my college good proud cake
00:45:18kato I had a pair of sandals from it's a wedge from car car can't be car car then
00:45:26i'll be able to put it in a couple of years of course wash day now every wednesday so
00:45:31I'm going to confirm I'm going to go back and forth yeah and I've told you tomorrow I think I'm
00:45:35about to share my story for the whole fourth year now can he last good job like a year or more than
00:45:42that and even on sundays mga kuikuan so okay before I only can hear stories
00:45:48nga nindut ang shoe sa car car kay polido anna but kitamang good which I cannot blame other people
00:45:54also but kitamang good is we go for brands yes we go for ay ito lang po sa kanang sa other kanang
00:46:01ato ko sa mall kay bata lagi anna but when I tried that muragin ko bitaw mas nindut
00:46:07jud um kanang handmade kanang mas polido yun sya lugi sya maguba so apart from the challenge
00:46:15nga na ay mga importation karoon no um what are the challenges that you face technology so
00:46:26digitalization oh really is a since uh ako patanan sa coming in up to coming out sa toang product no
00:46:34doing the marketing pictorial uh nag-answer or queries as of the moment kay nakita na ko it's it's a lot of
00:46:42competition na kaayo aside sa fast fashion produced uh competition nato online like uh daghan na kaayo makasel
00:46:51online so if dili ka mo keep up sa imuhang pagka digital your presence online no matter how beautiful
00:47:00your product is dili ka makitaan dili ka mapalit so i'm also honored na na invited na rino sa isla local
00:47:11which is a power platform powerful platform sadkayo na showcasing local to your website in in my weakness
00:47:18part the tech part yeah so kanaanggap na atonggi tanaw because i think that's very common not just to
00:47:26hand crafters but to many business owners um the purpose really of isla local is to at least help you
00:47:36morag in terms with technology and to help you focus more on what's really your craft
00:47:41kung diha git mo diha mo mo focus because it is la local enables you to kanang saman mga problems
00:47:48you usually um mga kanang pag-monitor sa shipping yes pag-inventory customer response customer response
00:47:57kanang because i myself have tried that before i was selling also kata ganing pag-monitor gani kung
00:48:04asana ang nibayad kinsa ang nibayad ilista pa ni mo that's really a headache for me and i did not survive the
00:48:11business i was um doing um mga watercolor painting workshops then ni-attempt ko to sell other stuff
00:48:19pero morag ko ang gani labad jaja kaayo sa ulo because originally naturally man good for hand crafters
00:48:27we are creative people yes so ang atong brain is really focused into creating product product
00:48:33development and the little side sa business but when it comes to technology it comes to sometimes no
00:48:39dilitanan good maayo ug admin and creative dilitanan maka shift direct show yes so for me ako
00:48:46usako ana and hearing from you earlier also isa sa deesha sa challenge yes so one of the biggest
00:48:53challenge personally because i need to focus sa product sa product development and sa pag-manage sa
00:48:59production or to to release or deliver a quality product so if ever jack of all trades tagyod wala
00:49:07naging like literal nagkaan ko sa product as wait sa mama and then to keep up with the marketing like
00:49:14like wala na ko yung time mag fb ads and saan ang fb ads to really reach the the targeted target
00:49:21yun so wala natay mga mga time to study yes ma-learn sya but wala na bitaw kay time to study
00:49:29kaya especially mo i keep up good ni mo ang business yeah bitaw bitaw so um mauna sya mauna
00:49:36ang problem maput so if you have the same problem
00:49:40daggan na kayo tapat natin solution which is the isla local also we will help you you can message
00:49:46me or you can message our page para for collaboration so now um let's talk about your faith
00:49:55now you've said that this is that this venture is god inspired and how does that believe guide
00:50:04you in running your business yes um worship pang m m miss university question okay go ahead
00:50:12pero bitaw uh i believe that faith invites blessing so during that time ano sya like lord i need to
00:50:21finish my college kaya maoni ang marag pride sa itong parents mapahuman tao i didn't came from
00:50:27an elite uh type of kanabi taong family hindi naman tayo anak ni henry c no nga
00:50:32nga pwede ragyad tabi sag-asa mo choose sa ito ang course and sa ito ang um i mean the university
00:50:39that we wanted to enroll so during that time nag-start regid sya nga if there's a vision there
00:50:45will always be a provision so oh oh dito ko nakaingon nga uh god allow this um that's why
00:50:53ako siya gicall as blessing in this guy so god allows hardships in life to see the beauty of god's
00:51:01goodness yes okay like marag purposeful ang life if naagi ka o hardships you will gain wisdom you'll gain
00:51:11uh kanabi taong uh anchor di ni moggi anchor ang imuhang uh faith to hold on asan ni moggi
00:51:20anchor imong personal reasons to fuel during those tough times so for me everything every decision
00:51:27nga akong gimake sa mildim like if you can visit our creation hub like makita ganyo mo nito kilid sa
00:51:33sa sa front i can do all things through christ who strengthens me then also the like itong sa
00:51:40jeremiah 29 11 that i know the plans i have for you like to keep reminding me na kanang i can do this
00:51:50because this is such a challenging industry to begin with okay of uh did layo kay siya sa ako ang
00:51:56tech oh sa profession nga ako ang giis ko ilahan but thankfully kay like mas purposeful ako ang life nga
00:52:05kanide ay ko gida ni lord diri so for me it's god um uh provide god provided me with this uh blessing
00:52:13to recognize more kanang the the human side of you but it's not just about money money money yeah but also
00:52:21the the story of each artisan the story of each clients so we're not just kanang merrily selling
00:52:29but we shared the clients we shared their hardships also i'm listening to them i can we also give uh
00:52:35advices we pray for them we pray with the team actually wow yes we we had one time kanang saturday
00:52:42gratitude saturday na mag walk me sa mountain and then we'll we'll discuss about kanang hardships po nila
00:52:49kailan lain mang guttaw level of coping hardships in life at least amil dim is a vessel of god's
00:52:56goodness wow very nice a vessel of god's goodness like jud ang business if god-centered siya because you
00:53:05will get wisdom and there will be humility also and you get closer to to your people okay mas mo humble
00:53:15down but i really love what you said yeah if there is a vision there is a provision especially if again
00:53:26if you offer everything to the lord first things first so we're i feel like also um based on the
00:53:33experience that you had you have to find a way para mahuman ka sa college ni mo and taking care of your mom
00:53:40um um i feel like um i feel like pain really teaches you a lot of things morag where it's like a seed no at
00:53:49some point namorag it's like a the pain is like a seed namoragan ika og ibutang yud ka sa ilang but it
00:53:58was god digging it for you yeah then waka kahibaw it was god who watered it wow
00:54:03wow i think that's very normal for um business owners now sometimes we feel like
00:54:20manumani manang akong giagian i feel like wala naman kuwi wala naman kuwi kanang kapainan oh but it was not
00:54:30something nag-punish ka ni lord iya lang yud ka ang gi-burry in the process in the yes
00:54:38gi-burry pa kaniya because you will bloom mo lang yud said siguro that's what i get from your story
00:54:44yes yeah if if if only nakita ni mama she's now in heaven so yeah you say happy mother's day
00:54:50okay if only nakita if only nakaabot siya oh bitaw no you're more sad lagi no imuhang mom siguro is
00:54:59the angel she must be praying until now to guide you nga ikaw yudimuhang iyahangkoan so happy
00:55:07mother's day to your mom yes so fully makita sa jania but it's also an inspiration for a lot of people
00:55:15na especially ikaw you really love your family so much ka nang i always believe na when you give
00:55:23something you will gain so much especially heartily good and you have given yourself so much for your
00:55:29family so this is god giving you all the rewards yes amazing yeah i believe on on the quote ni tao na you
00:55:37attract who you are so padalaan rin dyan ka ni lord sa mga tamang tao nag support sa imong
00:55:42mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga mga m
00:56:12that's why they are you you you get blessings everywhere so
00:56:17mohazad na siya kanang normal good kina for business owners that's why
00:56:21importante kayo for us to to talk about this nga mga ganig ka nang sa ko manin na mo paggawa sa situation
00:56:28yes but if you allow of course with hard work and but if there is like always a surrender nga lord
00:56:35this is what I need this is what mga ganig sige ang ginuuna lang jimbala ay kabala ka
00:56:40ako'y pungbunin mo ako'y pungbunin mo and god will use people to bless you yes he will use people to bless you
00:56:48okay what was it takahibaw noon say what's up with blessing sa other people because ni mo yes
00:56:54so ma-amaze na lang dyan ko ma'am queen nga na ay mo message nga mga stranger ko dili na ko family or friend na
00:57:01they are inspired by my story so without me knowing nga ay naaday nakakita naaday nagfollow
00:57:07sa story about sa mildim not personally na nakita nila nga inspiring na type of branding or business nga naka-impact the
00:57:17idea not just to the artisans but only because i also spread hope in my platform yes yes like i share
00:57:24authenticity and hardships also in my platform that's just about the the shoe yeah yeah which is nice because for
00:57:31right now um people buy not because of the product they buy because of the story they buy because of you
00:57:41yes they buy because of your character they buy because they believe in your values those are some of the
00:57:47determining factors before somebody will trust you although at some point the pinaka first nila makita is a
00:57:53product line is laging nga shoes because this is their first thing ang mata ang mata jude ang
00:57:59mo determine but what will make them decide to purchase is if they see your heart in what you do
00:58:07yeah so especially for handcrafts handcraft nga mga products if they see your heart in what you do
00:58:13wala agita sila question
00:58:15mupalit o mung support send yun ka ayun na sila so that is one tip that i can share to you right now
00:58:21especially for business owners nga do not just hard sell yes do not hard sell yourself sell or share the
00:58:29things that fuels you the things that sparks you and also the story behind the brand not just the
00:58:39the product okay we're at some old yes so so right now you what what platforms are you using uh we're very
00:58:49uh we're very organic so nag try it as a facebook page instagram and hopefully maka start na put me
00:58:57sa tiktok naana po detay shopee but uh gamay pa ang design nga to ang na-upload but you can
00:59:02really reach us satang facebook page mill demon crafted creations okay so guys you can buy from them through
00:59:09facebook for now and then um maybe in the future there will be innovations and add-ons so stay in or stay
00:59:18tune no or that now as i love a page yeah so you've gone through so much and makita gitsad na po ang
00:59:26hum hum hum heart in what you do what advice can you give to entrepreneurs who are also struggling and
00:59:37and with with the business in general uh start with your why uh a personal reason that fuels you
00:59:47during those tough times because purpose-driven entrepreneurship it's not just about the money
00:59:54or the kitaan it's also uh creating um impact that will last yeah so it's it's uh you have to build
01:00:06with love lead with purpose and trust that when you do things uh with meaning when you do things with
01:00:17meaning um you touch more than just your life but more people but you will be a vessel good to to the
01:00:27more people na imohama provide as an entrepreneur for me it's different and business woman of
01:00:32entrepreneurship yeah because entrepreneurship it's it's not just about give the profit
01:00:37now so it's it's what is your anchor during those tough times yeah and keep learning
01:00:44okay dilly judd sya nga kanang unsay na learning mo 10 years ago di na judd sya karoon so keep
01:00:50learning especially ako nga opposite kaayo ang profession so i read books i have mentors i really i
01:00:59really reach tanabitong people nga ako apong gi keep up na maka help pod nato as small business owners
01:01:07wow ganahan ko ana no surround yourself also with people you look up to na ganahan ka i emulate
01:01:13ang ilang mga practices and keep learning tinood good kayo na keep learning and adapt kung
01:01:21saan ang um ang um ang paspas ka ayong karoon na trend and i like what you said na sometimes
01:01:27mora ganig dilly um it's not just about money but it's your purpose actually i want to to share also
01:01:35what i posted yesterday na i said um some people who hustle hard don't chase a dream for fame or just for
01:01:44money some build dreams to make life more meaningful um it's giving a piece of your heart to everyone
01:01:52around you especially those who need the help the most because we tread on different life path based on
01:01:59our values our purpose or your why and others work for money others for themselves others for the family
01:02:09but others for other people yes especially sa inyo ha these are other people at first you don't know
01:02:16them but imo silang kitabangan and they become your family and yes i feel like especially good for
01:02:23handicraft na business morag di hagyuta da pita morag dilimim mo give up kay naghan nag dilim
01:02:30nga dilim ni sila matataganog trabaho yes actually there there came a time na lord maybe it's time to give
01:02:39up especially if i can't keep up with the the digitalization but when when i you are anchored
01:02:45with your why's and they are my why's so i can't close my eyes to just unsee them okay lord this is the
01:02:54the the steward steward steward ship steward ship na imo hanggi hatag sa ako so i'll work on it
01:02:59yeah because life here is on earth is very short lang yun so like live life with a purpose
01:03:07right so morag guys we have miss universe live life with a purpose so dagan ka yung tag learnings
01:03:14karong hapuna no from melody and i hope i hope no dagan kay mung mga na learn and let us know
01:03:21and if you do have questions let us know so mel one last question are you planning to or do you
01:03:38have any events in the future uh maybe you can invite them okay thank you so much now to sunstar
01:03:44and isla local uh we have upcoming mother mother's day event in by hotel cebu so thank you by hotel for
01:03:54featuring also meal dim so will be available there on may 9 to 11 so you can um buy or purchase our
01:04:03retail products so by hotel may 9 to 11 and we have upcoming workshop basic sandal making workshop
01:04:11um hosted by quick brown fox he held uh to be held uh atu amid town this coming may 17 so if you
01:04:19wanted to register uh you can register or contact quick brown fox okay so guys they will be in by
01:04:26hotel and then quick atu amid town atu amid town and soon they will be available in isla isla
01:04:33local soonest soonest soonest soonest so um let's check our um winners this time so tanaw natube
01:04:43kinsa ni mga nananao so maybe you can pick some of the winners here sa mga nagtanao
01:04:49sa mga nagcomment it's up to you kinsain mong hatagan
01:04:52na nila okay so keep commenting basig na pa mo y chance like karon karon puntuha if mo comment mo go go go
01:05:04kasi mel ang mupili dili ako so siya ang pili so share comment and ask questions amazing
01:05:14niyo si kenny don siloria watching from negro so thank you for your time so maybe ano you're one of
01:05:21the three maybe ikaw ang first nato winner sa to ang game kenny don siloria message us lang para
01:05:31we'll know your size so mail them facebook page no yes okay uh i think this is a boy no so yes
01:05:38maka create put that not just for women we can customize put uh mandals for men mandals
01:05:45no we call it mandals for women sandals why sand sand like sandals uh i think sand
01:05:52then it's just mandals for men ah okay okay and then uh i want to give makita ba nga tong sharers
01:06:02mga ladies comment down below para ano napay chance sa second or third
01:06:11makita pa ba ang atong mga sharers wala na so that we have one winner already so if
01:06:18unsa mangani if dili pa kakapili sa urban mill um this will be up until like naamangy
01:06:24dpmi sa facebook sa facebook sa sunstar so pwede pa mo muapas o tanaw later in the evening or maybe
01:06:31tomorrow so itong it check kung kinsa pa man ang mga mong comment mo share mo ask the questions yes
01:06:38so we have one winner already of this sandal kani so someone's saying akonets jason of blc
01:06:47hala it's it's my friend ah okay okay okay all right sige so nagkatawa siya okay sige mel um
01:06:58it's up to you if you want to to pick karon or later later later okay later guys so wait until
01:07:05later in the evening so pwede ka mo comment here kung kinsama ka daw use your facebook page
01:07:11permalike na lang po nila all right so before we wrap up today's episode it's time for our business
01:07:19word of the week it's lean startup um is our lean startup is more or less similar to growth hacking
01:07:26this is very technical ha so the ideology behind starting lean is to prove your business concept as
01:07:33you go it's about understanding what is working best for your customers in the cheapest and effective
01:07:39way via constant feedback so this is very very common for especially for tech for startups like
01:07:45us like isla local um we build something on a lean startup so before we pour in investment to it
01:07:54we create something that is um mvp it's a minimum viable product before you go full blast with the
01:08:01technology with the production and everything else so lean startup or growth hacking is um well
01:08:09similar to traditional marketing now you try to test your product first if not by mo palit or
01:08:14daily and you try to ask to validate the idea by asking questions doing surveys to people to your
01:08:22target audience what they think about the product so it depends on the need it depends on the um
01:08:30the quality it depends so for for the few first few months there will be a lot of feedbacking a lot of
01:08:37questions so for isla local specifically it took us a while it took us a while when i say it took us a
01:08:44while months months months months for us to validate the idea i have to ask people um the convenience or
01:08:53their choice between using other platforms compared to our platforms i have to ask merchants or like people
01:09:00like you if they are willing to collaborate with us so there were a lot of interviews or a lot of
01:09:07validation before we finally created the brand so although floating panacea didn have but before we went full blast and
01:09:14launched it there were a lot of validation so that's what we call growth hacking or what we call as lean startup so for traditional businesses or for other businesses you can you can start with that
01:09:28start with that start with a problem especially in the society or maybe a personal problem
01:09:35and then you look for a solution through the products or through the services that you are
01:09:42offering so if nananing a problem then a product then you check the competitors after the competitors you
01:09:51validate the idea you talk to the customers and then from there decide whether or not mag full
01:09:57production that will save you a lot of time money resources and headaches so when i pinakali and
01:10:06safest for you to create a business so thank you so much for joining us today mel thank you all the way
01:10:13from karkar city thank you sunstar biz hero and isla local for being a bridge or a vessel
01:10:23there's so much more to showcase good locally yes for sure the country and i know you have a lot
01:10:29but you do to share so the rest we will share it na lang sa isla local in the future thank you mel because
01:10:36your story reminds us that you know businesses built with the heart um really creates a ripple change or
01:10:44ripple effect to a lot of people especially sa ato mga artisans because they are the real crafters
01:10:52they are the real artists and they're the ones good more contributing sa cultures of being a filipino
01:10:59as what dot said love the philippines love the philippines love being a filipino and be proud of
01:11:09being a filipino so congratulations and we are rooting for you mel i hope you um your footwear will
01:11:19go everywhere yes we'll create uh its own footprint footprint in the home thank you so much for the
01:11:28opportunity yes thank you also to our viewers um i hope you will continue to support local support
01:11:35filipino products and of course do not forget to check out mill dim handcraft creations shops
01:11:41uh shoes shop um soon in isla local we will be carrying them and for now you can message them
01:11:48on facebook instagram share their post guys that's the best you can do if you cannot decide to buy right
01:11:54now you can also message them on shopee and if you want your exclusive brand for your footwear why not
01:12:01message them because they're open to co-branding okay so there you're looking for handmade shoes or just
01:12:09want to support ethical fashion mildew is a place to be so many things that you can do with mildew so
01:12:17this has been another episode of sunstar startup spotlight the island stories brought to you by
01:12:22sunstar cebu and isla local isla local is an online marketplace for filipino local products where you can
01:12:29find your favorite handmade creations like native bags like footwear from carcar city fashion accessories
01:12:36across different islands of cebu and in the visayas and soon in the whole philippines paintings by our
01:12:43artists home deckers um or even artisanal food like dried mangoes especially right now is the it's it's uh
01:12:51mango season so we have dried mangoes with bagong already you can message or you can check out um ready
01:12:59and even farm to table products we are supporting um community in toledo city um we have farm to table
01:13:09products mga ginamos mga um mga kakanin and everything else we have it in isla local and even gourmet chocolates
01:13:19like um parate um which is a very good idea this gift idea for mother's day so if you want something
01:13:28uh very very local very sub one if you want to support local artisans especially for mother's day
01:13:36you can always message isla local because these are all from cebu so simply go to www.isla local.com
01:13:45search for a product that you like add it to your cart pay and we will take care of the delivery
01:13:50especially again for mother's day na magdali mo and you haven't thought paon sa inyo i-hatag
01:13:55sa inyo hang mama mommy nanay we have a lot of things that you can you can check out so we offer
01:14:04same-day delivery and we can even ship nationwide and worldwide so thank you so much this is queen
01:14:11hercia dionaldo thank you for joining us and as always stay creative stay inspired and keep supporting
01:14:18local businesses see you next time