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Following yesterday’s post on the 42nd Foundation Anniversary of Laurel is another local pride (which we hope to be a booming industry soon) — the water lily native products.
On the last few hours of our Laurel visit, alongside Ms. Jaide Luistro of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and Ms. Emelie Katigbak with the rest of the Media K people, we went to Brgy. Balakilong where the water lily products are being produced.
What exactly are these products?
These are native products such as bags, slippers, baskets, trays, hats, decorative pieces which are made of dried water lily. Water lilies are growing in abundance on the waters of Taal Lake particularly during summer.
The locals harvest these water lilies to prevent crowding on the lake surface. So this is another “treasure found in garbage” thing. They are able to save the lake and make money for a living. Brilliant.
These water lily products are done by the women’s group of Brgy. Balakilong (Kababaihan KALIPI) headed by Brgy. Captain Domingo Tenorio’s wife, Edna.
Edna shared that this endeavor was inspired by the Water Lily Livelihood Project of Taguig City. She personally attended a seminar conducted in Taguig and then shared what she acquired to her fellow kababaihan.
How are these products made?
Summer is the height of the harvest time for the locals. They gather water lilies then sell them to the women’s group who will turn these plants into profitable items.
Once the water lilies are dried, these will be turned into ropes of various sizes, will be dyed of whatever color they want. With the bare hands of the women, the dried water lilies will be woven into creative pieces, as small as a coin purse or as large as a laundry basket.
The only problem they are facing now is the lack of marketing strategies for their water lily products. Only those who know that such production exists in Brgy. Balakilong are able to purchase these water lily items. Other than that, they don’t have regular customers coming in.
Edna told us that their group once visited Governor Vilma Santos-Recto in her office just to let her know of their products. With this bold step, they had the Governor as their client. Governor Vi asked that a picnic basket be done for her, told she would use it if ever she have shooting for a movie.
With this post, and with the feature on Beautiful Batangas, we hope this water lily products in Brgy. Balakilong would be given opportunities other than mere exposure. Let’s patronize local products. This is one good chance for Laurel to upgrade their livelihood programs. All we have to do is support. 😉
Hi! I am a Marketing Supervisor and I am very interested to get in touch with this group for a CSR Project that my company intend to implement. Hopefully you can email me their contact details. I am looking forward for your response. Thank you.
Alvin Evangelio
alvinevangelio@yahoo.com